Monterey Jack Cheese NZ: Where to Buy & Substitutes

If you’ve ever scrolled through a recipe for the perfect mac and cheese and hit a wall at ‘Monterey Jack’ – you’re not alone; for New Zealanders, this American cheese can feel like a ghost ingredient. The good news? A few local producers, like Evansdale Cheese in Hawksbury, have taken on the challenge – their first cheese was a Monterey Jack, according to The Cheese Wheel (NZ cheese retailer). This guide covers what Monterey Jack is, where to find it or something close, and how to cook with it.

Milk type: Cow’s milk · Texture: Semi-soft · Origin: California, USA · Fat content: ~30% butterfat · Aging: 1–3 months · NZ availability: Limited – artisan makers like Evansdale

Six key facts, one pattern: the limited but growing presence of Monterey Jack in New Zealand. Here’s what the research confirms.

What is Monterey Jack cheese in NZ?

Characteristics of Monterey Jack

• Monterey Jack is an American cheese made from cow’s milk, described on the Foodlovers Forum as a cheese that can be made from skimmed or whole milk.
• Its mild, creamy flavour makes it a popular melting cheese – Ingredient Substitutes notes that Colby is often recommended as a substitute because of its similar mildness.
• In New Zealand, Evansdale Cheese produced a Monterey Jack as their first cheese, according to The Cheese Wheel.

The pattern: Monterey Jack is a straightforward, mild cheese that shines when melted – but finding it in NZ requires a bit of hunting.

How it differs from mozzarella and white cheddar

• Unlike mozzarella (which is stringy and fresh), Monterey Jack is semi-soft and buttery. EasyCook points out that low-moisture mozzarella can be a direct substitute in melted dishes, but the texture is not identical.
• White cheddar is firmer and aged longer. Chef’s Pencil recommends Swiss-based cheeses as alternatives, showing that Monterey Jack’s profile is distinct from aged cheddars.

The implication: don’t expect a one-to-one replacement; the closest NZ-available option is a young mild cheddar or Colby.

What cheese is similar to Monterey Jack cheese?

Colby Jack cheese

• Colby Jack is a blend of Colby and Monterey Jack, making it the closest commercial relative. Ingredient Substitutes lists Colby as a top alternative due to its mild, creamy flavour and similar melt.
• In New Zealand, Colby Jack is sometimes available at Countdown or speciality stores, though it’s not always labelled as such.

Pepper Jack cheese

• Pepper Jack is simply Monterey Jack with jalapeño peppers. Belle Chevre Creamery sells a 130g slice of Pepper Jack, described as “a spicy take on Monterey Jack.”
• If you can find Pepper Jack, you can use it exactly as you would Monterey Jack – just with extra heat.

British equivalent debate

• There’s no official British equivalent. Chef’s Pencil suggests Swiss cheeses like Emmental or Gruyère in some cooking contexts, but these are nuttier and firmer.
• Some NZ forums recommend Caerphilly or mild Cheddar, but neither replicates the buttery, high-moisture feel of Monterey Jack.

Four cheeses, one pattern: the closest match in NZ is a young mild cheddar or Colby – the others are approximations.

To help you choose, here’s a comparison of the most relevant options for New Zealand shoppers.

The catch: none of these are exact replicas, but for most recipes (mac and cheese, quesadillas, burgers) mild cheddar or Colby Jack will do the job without a noticeable difference.

Where can I buy Monterey Jack cheese?

NZ stockists: Countdown, Evansdale, The Cheese Wheel

• Evansdale Cheese in Hawksbury produces a handcrafted Monterey Jack – you can buy directly from them or through The Cheese Wheel.
• Countdown supermarkets may stock Colby Jack (which contains Monterey Jack), but pure Monterey Jack is rare. Reddit r/Wellington users frequently ask where to find Colby Jack, suggesting the demand is there but the supply is patchy.
• Belle Chevre Creamery sells Pepper Jack, which is a Monterey Jack variant, and their stockists page lists locations across the country.

Online order options

• Over the Moon Dairy has a stockist network covering Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Rotorua, Hawkes Bay, Wellington, and Canterbury – they may carry Monterey Jack-style cheeses.
• Cheese and Food Wraps lists retailers in Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago, some of which stock artisan cheeses.

Aldi question addressed

• Aldi does not operate in New Zealand, so their Monterey Jack (popular in the US) is not available here. The viral Aldi cheese that some ask about is a different product entirely.

The implication: finding Monterey Jack in NZ requires persistence, but substitutes are widely available.

“Our first cheese was ‘Monterey Jack’, a modest start that taught us the craft of artisan cheese-making.”

— Evansdale Cheese, via The Cheese Wheel

“Anyone knows where to get a block of Colby Jack Cheese? Was planning to try the viral Tini’s Mac and Cheese…”

— Reddit user, r/Wellington

For New Zealanders, the search for Monterey Jack cheese is a real but manageable challenge. The key takeaway: if you can’t find the real thing, Colby Jack or a young mild cheddar will get you 90% of the way there – especially for melted dishes. The artisan producers like Evansdale and Belle Chevre are worth seeking out for the authentic experience, but they’re not in every supermarket. The choice is clear: hunt down the artisan block, or grab a mild cheddar and get cooking.

Frequently asked questions