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See what you can do and learn at the visitor center
Learn how cheese is made and explore interactive, hands-on exhibits about cows, dairies and cheesemaking. Watch Daisy's moooovie. See employees package the "big cheese" – 640-pound crates of cheese. Fully accessible.
Enjoy signature sandwiches, wraps, salads and our famous “cheese chowder”and other savory soups. Delicious cream cheese brownies and cheese pies – better than any cheese cake! We serve Peet’s Coffee & Tea, along with premium ice cream.
Our beautiful banquet facility features earth tone accents, artistic décor and recessed lighting. Exceptional service, an extensive menu selection and elegant presentation compliments each event.
See what you can do and learn at the visitor center
Free samples and delicious food - cafe, espresso, ice cream and gift shop. Too far away to visit? Take our virtual tour:
Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, and a good source of protein and phosphorus. Cheese contributes 27% of the calcium, 11% of the phosphorus, 9% of protein, and 9% of the vitamin A in the U.S. food supply.
Always keep cheese tightly wrapped and sealed, and stored in the refrigerator. Prolonged exposure to air dries out cheese. Cut only what you need from a piece, wrap tightly and return the rest to the refrigerator. If you see a small spot of mold on a large piece of cheese, remove the mold by trimming away the entire section and discard. Thoroughly moldy pieces should be discarded entirely.
When cooking, turn down the heat. Most varieties respond best to low and medium temperatures for just a short time, only long enough to melt and blend. Shred or grate your cheese before cooking for even blending. For sauces, add it as the last ingredient and heat only long enough to melt. And, if using it as a topping, add the cheese a few minutes prior to removing from the oven, to avoid burning.
Weight is the best method to measure cheese for use in recipes. Four ounces of natural cheese equals one cup of shredded cheese. One ounce of cheese equals ¼ cup of shredded cheese.
Hilmar Cheese Company has a long-term commitment to improve lives around the world by being a leading producer of wholesome dairy products. To do this, people need to understand how we produce food. We invest in agricultural education. Since inception, we have been open for tours and community visits. In 1998, a Visitor Center was built to invite more people to learn about the California dairy industry and Hilmar Cheese Company. Learn more about dairy and processing with the links below.