monterey jack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, culinary
Quick answer
What does “monterey jack” mean?
A semi-hard, mild, white cow's milk cheese, originally from California, often aged for a firmer texture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A semi-hard, mild, white cow's milk cheese, originally from California, often aged for a firmer texture.
A specific type of American cheese named after the city of Monterey, California, and its developer, David Jacks. It is known for its smooth texture and mild flavor, making it versatile for melting and cooking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, it is a recognised but less common imported cheese, often found in specialist or large supermarkets. In the US, it is a standard, widely available cheese.
Connotations
US: Connotes Californian cuisine, Mexican-inspired dishes (like quesadillas), and everyday cooking. UK: Often perceived as an American or 'specialty' cheese.
Frequency
High frequency in US culinary contexts; low to medium in UK culinary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “monterey jack” in a Sentence
[verb] + Monterey Jack (e.g., 'grate', 'melt', 'serve')[adjective] + Monterey Jack (e.g., 'mild', 'creamy', 'aged')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monterey jack” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We always grate Monterey Jack for our nachos.
- The recipe suggests melting the Monterey Jack slowly.
American English
- Can you shred the Monterey Jack for the tacos?
- I'm going to melt some Monterey Jack on these burgers.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- A Monterey Jack topping would work well here.
- She made a lovely Monterey Jack sauce.
American English
- This is a Monterey Jack cheese dip.
- He prefers Monterey Jack slices on his sandwich.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food import/export, dairy industry, or restaurant supply contexts.
Academic
Rare, may appear in historical or culinary studies regarding American food history.
Everyday
Used in cooking, shopping, and dining contexts (e.g., recipes, deli counters).
Technical
Used in dairy science, cheesemaking, and food technology to describe a specific cheese variety.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monterey jack”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monterey jack”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monterey jack”
- Misspelling as 'Monteray Jack' or 'Monterey Jacks'.
- Using it as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'I bought two Monterey Jacks' is less common; prefer 'two blocks of Monterey Jack').
- Confusing it with 'Pepper Jack' (the spicy version).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Monterey Jack is milder, whiter, and has a higher moisture content than the typically sharper, more yellow/orange Cheddar. They are distinct varieties.
It is named after Monterey, California, and David Jacks, a Scottish-born businessman who commercialised the cheese in the late 1800s.
Pepper Jack is a spiced variant of Monterey Jack that includes jalapeño peppers and sometimes other ingredients like herbs. Monterey Jack is plain and mild.
Yes, for melting purposes, mild cheeses like Colby, Gouda, or mild Cheddar can be reasonable substitutes, though the flavour and texture will vary slightly.
A semi-hard, mild, white cow's milk cheese, originally from California, often aged for a firmer texture.
Monterey jack is usually informal, culinary in register.
Monterey jack: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒntəreɪ ˈdʒæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːntəreɪ ˈdʒæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'Jack' in Monterey Jack as a 'jack of all trades' cheese—it's mild and good for many dishes, from Monterey, California.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS A PRODUCT OF PLACE (The cheese embodies the characteristics—mild, adaptable—associated with its Californian origin.)
Practice
Quiz
What is a key characteristic of classic Monterey Jack cheese?