Situated on the very tip of the westernmost peninsula in Marin County, CA, the idyllic rolling hills of Point Reyes host some of the finest dairy farms in the world. One such dairy farm, the Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, has been family-owned and operated for over 50 years, crafting blues, Cheddars, mozzarellas, and, of course, their signature cheese, the Point Reyes Toma. Italian for “wheel of cheese made personally by the farmer”, Point Reyes’ award-winning (and TJ’s Spotlight Cheese alum) Toma has proven so popular, that Point Reyes has recently taken to offering variations on the Toma theme—including our newest Spotlight Cheese, the pleasantly peppery Point Reyes TomaRashi.

Each wheel is made with a spicy, umami-forward mélange of dried chilis, orange peel, powdered ginger, nigella seeds (also known in some parts as black caraway), and dried seaweed, mixed right in. Modeled after the traditional Japanese spice mix shichimi togarashi (hence TomaRashi), this bold and flavorful blend makes the ideal foil to the Toma’s inherent butteriness and creamy, semi-firm texture. With every bite, your palate is treated to a savory, complex profile with an even, warming heat that’s especially suited for enjoying as part of a charcuterie board, melting into a grilled cheese sandwich, or pairing with a crisp white wine or citrus-y cocktail.