The Ruthless, Corrupt Landowner That Put the "Jack" in Monterey Jack Cheese

TL;DR

Monterey Jack cheese was named after David Jack, who acquired the land in Monterey, California and claimed the cheese made there as his own.

Transcript

Cheese predates written history. Ancient Egyptians loved cheese so much that depictions of the cheese-making process were painted in tombs. Homer’s Odyssey talks about how Cyclops stored his cheese. The Greeks and Romans used cheese as a delicious currency. During the Middle Ages, if there was cheese on the dinner table, it meant the family was of ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤑 Cheese has a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations.
• 🖐️ Spanish missionaries in California played a significant role in the production of cheese in Monterey.
• 🧀 David Jack, a Scottish immigrant, acquired the land in Monterey and claimed the cheese made there as his own, leading to its naming as Monterey Jack cheese.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the nickname given to Monterey Jack cheese by the Spanish missionaries in California?

The Spanish missionaries called the cheese "Queso blanco pais" or "the country peasant white cheese."

Q: How did Monterey Jack cheese get its name?

David Jack, a Scottish immigrant who acquired the land in Monterey, claimed the cheese made there as his own and added his name to it, calling it "Jack's Cheese."

Q: What was the auction of Monterey land in 1859 known as?

The auction and subsequent purchase of Monterey land by David Jack and Delos Rodeyn Ashley became known as "The Rape of Monterey."

Q: What happened to the cheese made in Monterey?

David Jack co-owned the dairies in Monterey and claimed the cheese made there as his own, selling it across California and the west coast under the name "Monterey Jack" cheese.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Cheese has a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Greeks.

• Spanish missionaries in California in the 18th century brought supplies, including livestock, which led to the production of cheese in Monterey, California.

• The cheese made by Spanish missionaries was called "Queso blanco pais," and it later became known as Monterey Jack cheese, named after David Jack who acquired the land in Monterey.