Cheese awards often spotlight small European producers, but a 2024 global ranking gave an American supermarket name a spot near the top. That cheese was Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar, an Oregon-made cheddar that shoppers can also find at Costco.
Tillamook landed on a major 2024 world cheese ranking
TasteAtlas released its 2024 list of the 100 best cheeses in the world on October 30, 2024, and Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar appeared on that ranking. The food and travel guide bases its lists on audience ratings published on its platform, according to TasteAtlas.
Tillamook is made by Tillamook County Creamery Association, a farmer-owned cooperative founded in 1909 in Tillamook, Oregon. The cooperative said its cheddar is aged for more than 15 months, a detail that helps explain why this specific white cheddar is marketed as “extra sharp.”
The recognition matters because the list includes cheeses from countries with long award histories, including Italy, France, and Spain. In this case, a widely distributed U.S. brand joined that group, and the named product was not a limited release but a regular retail item.
What this means for Oregon and Costco shoppers
For Oregon, the ranking puts one of the state’s best-known food brands in an international spotlight. Tillamook operates its visitor-facing creamery in Tillamook, about 75 miles west of Portland, and the cooperative has long tied its identity to Oregon dairy production.
For shoppers, the practical detail is simple: Costco has carried Tillamook cheddar in multiple formats, including larger blocks and sliced packages, depending on warehouse inventory. Costco does not publish a complete national item list by warehouse, so availability can vary by location and date.
What is confirmed is that Tillamook products are broadly distributed at major U.S. retailers, including Costco, and the award-winning cheese is not positioned as a specialty shop exclusive. What is not publicly confirmed is a warehouse-by-warehouse list showing every Costco store currently stocking Extra Sharp White Cheddar.
Why a familiar American cheddar stands out on a world list
The broader context is that American cheese makers have spent years competing more directly in premium categories, especially cheddar. Industry groups such as the U.S. Dairy Export Council have repeatedly highlighted international demand for American cheeses with longer aging and stronger flavor profiles.
Tillamook’s own product positioning also fits that trend. The cooperative states that its extra sharp white cheddar is naturally aged and made with high-quality milk from farmer-owner dairies, which aligns with how many global rankings reward distinct flavor and traditional production standards.
For customers, the takeaway is straightforward: an Oregon cheddar with global recognition is still being sold in everyday retail channels rather than only in boutique cheese counters. As of late 2024, that means U.S. shoppers may be able to pick up one of the world’s recognized cheeses during a regular Costco run, subject to local warehouse stock.
