A robust sheep's milk cheese studded with whole peppercorns. A sharp, clothbound Cheddar that pairs perfectly with a nutty brown ale and a dollop of mango chutney. A tangy, nettle-wrapped cheese made in celebration of the cows returning to pasture in early spring. A light and cakey goat cheese with notes of pine nuts and Meyer lemons. These are just a few of the hundreds of delicious cheeses with origins up and down the West Coast that Sasha Davies chronicles in her detailed exploration of this exciting cheese region.

From just-emerging, small-scale cheeses to those that have earned international recognition, the spotlight is on the vibrant hues, bold aromas, and surprising yet palate-pleasing flavors that make these cheeses so unique. Rich with information, this accessible guide examines the key factors that influence the distinctive character of every cheese, and includes beverage pairing ideas, serving suggestions, and fascinating features on cheesemaking and individual producers.

Whether at the market, your local cheese shop, or while traveling, this is the ultimate reference for selecting, identifying, and savoring the cheeses of California, Oregon, and Washington.

Sasha Davies is a cheesemonger in Portland, Oregon, and serves on the board of the American Cheese Society.

Davies started her cheese career in New York City as an apprentice affineur in the cheese caves of Artisanal Premium Cheese, going on to manage the caves at the venerable Murray's Cheese and work as a resident cheese expert for Marlow & Sons. Her interest in cheese led her to embark on a four-month tour of forty American artisan cheesemakers, a project chronicled at cheesebyhand.com.

Davies has taught classes at the French Culinary Institute and the Cheese School of San Francisco. Her food writing has appeared on thestrongbuzz.com, in the Diner Journal, and in the cheese-focused magazine Culture.