A guide to Maytag Blue — one of America's pioneering artisan blue cheeses, made in Iowa since the 1940s. Its tangy flavor and storied history.
Maytag Blue is one of America's most storied cheeses — a tangy, crumbly blue made in Iowa since the 1940s, long before the artisan cheese movement took hold. With a surprising connection to the famous appliance family, it's a true American heritage cheese.
What Maytag Blue Is
Maytag Blue is a cow's-milk blue cheese made by the Maytag Dairy Farms in Newton, Iowa. It's a handmade, cave-aged blue cheese, produced in wheels and aged for several months to develop its characteristic veining and flavor. As one of the earliest American artisan blue cheeses, it has been made continuously for generations and remains a benchmark of American blue cheese.
The Maytag Connection
Yes, it's connected to the appliance company. Maytag Dairy Farms was founded in the 1940s by members of the Maytag family — the same family behind the famous Maytag washing machines and appliances. A son of the appliance company's founder established the dairy, using a blue cheese recipe developed with the help of Iowa State University. This unusual heritage gives the cheese a memorable backstory and a long, family-rooted history.
Flavor and Texture
Maytag Blue has a moist, crumbly, creamy paste, white to ivory, marbled with blue-green veins. The flavor is tangy, savory, and lemony, with a sharp, peppery blue bite and a pleasant, lingering finish. It's a bold but balanced blue — assertive and flavorful without being as salty or fierce as some European blues. Its creamy crumble and tangy bite have made it a favorite for decades.
How to Use Maytag Blue
Maytag Blue is versatile. Crumble it over salads — it's a classic in blue cheese dressings and wedge salads — melt it into a rich sauce for steak and burgers, or stir it into dips. On a cheese board, serve it with honey, fruit, and crusty bread, where its tangy bite is balanced by sweetness. It's a wonderful all-purpose American blue for both cooking and the table.
Pairings
Maytag Blue pairs with sweet and fortified wines like port, as well as with robust reds and even craft beers. On the plate, honey, pears, apples, figs, and walnuts balance its tangy, peppery flavor.
Buying and Storing
Maytag Blue is sold in wheels, wedges, and crumbles, available from cheese shops and online. Keep it wrapped in foil in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before serving so its flavor opens up. Use it within a week or two of opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maytag Blue connected to the appliance company?
Yes. Maytag Dairy Farms was founded in the 1940s by members of the same Maytag family behind the appliance brand.
What does Maytag Blue taste like?
Tangy, savory, and lemony with a sharp, peppery blue bite — bold but balanced, and not as salty as some European blues.
How do you use Maytag Blue?
Crumbled over salads and into dressings, melted into sauces for steak, or served on a board with honey and fruit.