Blue Jacket Dairy, Logan County’s artisan cheese manufacturer, has earned honors with two of their popular cheeses at the Ohio State Fair Cheese Competition, which took place July 18 in Cleveland.
Lemon Jewel Quark was awarded first place in the “Fresh Spreadable” cheese category, captivating judges with its creamy texture and sweet, citrusy flavor. Crafted from pasteurized whole cow’s milk and fresh lemon zest, this cheese offers a perfect balance of sweetness, making it an ideal spread for bagels or toast at breakfast or a delicious accompaniment to fresh berries.
In another win, Arrowhead Chevre, a savory goat cheese with herbs, claimed second place in the “Open
Class for Other Mammal Milk” category.
Inspired by a family recipe for vegetable pie, this versatile cheese features the distinctive flavor of tarragon, making it a superb pairing with crusty bread, a delectable vegetable dip, or a standout addition to any cheese board.
“We are thrilled to receive these awards and are immensely grateful to our loyal customers for their
unwavering support and love for Ohio cheese,” said Angel King, cheesemaker and co-owner of Blue Jacket Dairy.
Blue Jacket Dairy’s cheeses pay homage to Ohio’s rich heritage.
“As artisan cheesemakers, we are passionate about crafting artisanal cheeses that not only delight the palate but also celebrate the history of Logan County and surrounding areas in Ohio through unique cheese names,” explained Angel King.
The Lemon Jewel Quark draws its name from “These Are My Jewels,” the first monument on the Ohio Statehouse grounds in Columbus. This statue honors notable Ohioans, including Generals Grant, Sheridan, and Sherman and Presidents Garfield and Hayes.
Arrowhead Chevre’s name, chosen through a customer contest, highlights the many arrowheads found in Logan County fields, including ones discovered by Jim King’s grandfather, Sam C. Plank, after rains.
“As president of the Ohio Cheese Guild, I also congratulate all the winners in the cheese competition,”
said Angel King. “The revitalization of cheesemaking in Ohio is strong and thriving.
“Foodies are encouraged to explore the wonderful range of cheeses made in Ohio by using the Ohio Cheese Guild’s ‘Cheese Trail’ map as a guide to member locations.”
The map can be found at the Ohio Cheese Guild website: www.ohcheese.org.
Since 2008, Jim and Angel King, along with their dedicated team, have been transforming local milk into a delicious range of artisan cheeses at their creamery on County Road 11 in Bellefontaine.
Their offerings include fresh cheese curds, Gretna Grillin’, quark, chevre, feta and aged cheeses. Blue Jacket’s cheese is available throughout Ohio in restaurants, specialty stores, cheese shops and farmers’ markets.