Celebrate National Cheese Day with Goot Essa
Goot Essa, an Amish-owned dairy farm in Pennsylvania, is redefining artisan cheese with its small-batch, handcrafted varieties of cave-aged, locally produced, all-natural cheeses. Far from ordinary, this six-family cooperative stands in a league of its own—combining tradition, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the land.
Rooted in tradition, Goot Essa is a brand committed to crafting exceptional cheeses that honor the land they come from. Sourcing the freshest milk from local Amish dairy farms, Goot Essa maintains a deep connection to its community and heritage. Owner and operator John Esh, along with his wife Anna Mary Esh – who also contributes the brand’s house-made fudge and apple butter – personally provides all of the cow’s milk used in their cheeses, ensuring quality from farm to table. In the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, “Goot Essa” translates to “good food” or “good eating”—a name that perfectly reflects the brand’s commitment to quality and authenticity.
The beloved brand has an excellent selection of handcrafted sheep and goat cheeses that are now being served at restaurants, wineries and breweries across the East Coast. “Our sheep and goat cheeses pair beautifully with alcoholic beverages like wine, beer and cider, but they’re especially good for cooking with and melting. It’s thrilling to see so many chefs starting to cook with Goot Essa cheeses,” said Goot Essa founder and owner John Esh. “We make cheeses like we’re feeding our neighbors. And in a way, we are—chefs, families, travelers. If you’re putting our cheese on your menu, just know it came from a farm where every hand matters. We make our cheese the way our grandparents might’ve—by hand, in small batches, with milk from animals who are cared for by people we trust.”
They are known for their exceptional goat cheeses, which include the firm-textured Alt Medisher, cave-aged Der Gouda, and soft Marn Vom Berge. Their sheep cheese options feature Felsa Yehr (a Swiss-German variety similar to Manchego), Butta Schaf (comparable to Pecorino), Tomme-style Der Mutterschaf, and the bloomy Emanuel Vom Tal. With such a wide selection, there are cheeses to match many flavor profiles. Personally, I highly recommend trying the Der Edel Bleu Cheese it’s not to be missed.
If you’re a lover of cheese, or know someone who is, Goot Essa will wow consumers every single time! Elevate your dishes or your charcuterie board with Goot Essa and don’t forget to check out their online recipe and pairing guide for more inspiration!
Do yourself a favor—check them out. Trust me, you’ll want to “add to cart” on just about everything.
