This is a list of cheeses typical of the United States. The list excludes specific brand names, unless a brand name is also a distinct variety of cheese. While the term "
American cheese" is legally used to refer to a variety of
processed cheese, many styles of cheese originating in Europe are also made in the United States, such as
brie,
cheddar,
gouda,
mozzarella, and
provolone. Also, many local dairies throughout the country produce
artisan cheeses and other more localized flavors. Almost half of the cheese produced in the United States comes from Wisconsin and California; they along with New York and Vermont are well-known within the U.S. for their cheese.[1] The U.S. dairy industry cheese exports has grown by 2,900% in the last two decades, making it the second largest cheese exporter in the world.[2]