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When you hear the word “Vermont,” what comes to mind? Maple syrup? Ice cream? Moose?

The state is known for all three, sure, but Vermont is perhaps best known for its cheese. Up and down the Green Mountains, artisan cheesemakers produce some of the best curds in the world. Vermonters are love their cheese–the Grafton Inn proudly puts Grafton Village cheeses on its menu–and visitors can explore the Vermont Cheese Trail to see how its made.

Photo courtesy of Vermont Creamery

Fortunately, Vermont cheese is easy to find outside the Green Mountain State as well. Here are a few popular and high-quality labels to look for in a cheese shop near you (most offer online ordering as well):

Shelburne Farms – Located south of Burlington on the shores of Lake Champlain, Shelburne Farms is known for its robust aged and smoked cheddars.

Vermont Creamery: Vermont Creamery’s Cremont (pictured above) is a delightful blend of cow and goat’s milk in a soft, spreadable cheese; it produces several other cheeses as well, in addition to excellent cultured butter and creme fraiche.

Maplebrook: The mozzarella is great, and the feta is fantastic, but for pure cheese indulgence you can’t beat Maplebrook’s Burratta–mozzarella filled with fresh, buttery cream and stracciatelli (shreds of mozzarella).

Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm: In addition to its own cheese, Jasper Hill works with small cheesemakers to pro

duce truly artisan varieties. Weybridge, from Sholten Family Farm, is a favorite, as is the Cabot Clothbound cheddar.

Non-cheese bonus: Fat Toad Farm‘s “cajeta,” or goat’s milk caramel, comes in several flavors including vanilla, cinnamon, and coffee.