Monterey Jack

The second Spanish mission in what would become California was established at Monterey in the year 1770. There, the missionaries produced animals as well as crops they were accustomed to from their own Spain, such as olives and oranges. From the latter, they made cheese out of the milk and preserved it in the fashion of the past. When the soft white cheese was sold, money was made in addition to food. California was given to the United States by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, ending the Mexican-American War.

Gold was found in California in 1849, which led to the Gold Rush and an influx of land speculators, including David Jack. Through a series of fictitious legal processes, Jack was able to acquire title to the majority of Monterey, including ownership of the dairies and farms that had expanded since the Spanish monks' arrival. He started selling the locally made cheese under the brand "Jack's Cheese" after seeing its commercial potential. It ultimately acquired the name Monterey Jack's cheese. Much later came flavored jacks, such pepper jack.

It is unclear who actually came up with the recipe, which is now referred to as a sort of cheese rather than a particular brand. When producing white queso dips and other Mexican and Californian cuisine, Monterey Jack cheese is the preferred option. Although very well-liked in North America and Mexico, Americans do not favor this white cheese the most. That distinction belongs to mozzarella, an Italian import that is often regarded as a fundamental pizza topping.