They say you never forget your first kiss —or the bliss of your first bite of cheese. But what you may not know is that the cheese you’ve enjoyed all these years may have originated right here in Ohio.

The Buckeye State is home to nearly 30 cheesemakers, some of which have been churning out local favorites since the turn of the century. In fact, Baby Swiss cheese was invented right here in Millersburg, Ohio, by Guggisberg Cheese.

If you’re on the hunt this holiday season for local, tasty + one-of-a-kind gifts, consider a stop at ShopOhioCheese.com – a savory destination for all things Ohio cheese with specialty cheesemaker's gifts curated by the American Dairy Association Mideast.

Here’s some of our favorites that’ll have you saying, “You brie-long with me.”

Ohio produces a huge variety of cheeses, from sharp to savory. | Photo provided by the American Diary Association Mideast

Ohio cheese gift guide

Our top picks include:

Pearl Valley Cheese's Swiss cheese was named the Grand Champion at the 2023 Ohio State Fair. You can sample it alongside an award-winning Colby cheese in the tantalizing Pearl Valley Treasure Box.
Ohio State Buckeyes fans will forget all about the loss to Michigan, or at least drown their tears in cheese, with this wildly popular Buckeye Box.
The craft beer lover on your list will eat up the North Country Charcuterie’s Beer Lover’s Charcuterie Kit.
The Fun Flight six-pack, featuring the aforementioned Baby Swiss cheese alongside savory picks like Bruschetta Jack and Smoked Bacon and Black Pepper Cheese.

All cheesy gifts featured at ShopOhioCheese.com can be ordered online and shipped anywhere in the US, meaning even your out-of-state cousins can enjoy a little slice of home. From traditional styles to imaginative flavors, shopping local Ohio cheeses is as “cheesy as pie” (that’s the last one, we swear).

The (cheese) wheel of time rolls on

Ohio's cheesemaking legacy is rooted in the state's rich agricultural heritage, dating way back to the early 1800s when Swiss immigrants settled in the region. Their passion for cheesemaking and use of traditional techniques laid the foundation for the thriving + delicious industry we see today.

Today, Ohio is home to more than 1,450 dairy farms and is the number-one producer of Swiss cheese in the country. Ohio dairy farming families are passionate about caring for their cows and work to ensure the dairy foods they produce are safe + nutritious.

The North Country Beer Lover's Charcuterie Kit offers all kinds of flavorful bites. | Photo proivded by the American Dairy Association.

Supporting local communities

The state's recent cheesemaking renaissance has reinvigorated local communities, and cheese tours, festivals, and educational programs have brought visitors to Ohio's heartland, helping to showcase the passion and dedication of its cheesemakers.

ShopOhioCheese.com is the natural next step in this evolution, giving locals and out-of-staters alike a chance to taste, embrace, and explore the world of Ohio cheeses.

Pro tip: Combine your newly acquired cheeses with this “guide to entertaining with dairy” to really make a (milky) splash this holiday season.