In Wisconsin, spring arrives with the greening of grazing pastures, the reopening of farmers markets and the gentle unfurling of tender botanicals reaching toward the sun. It is a season defined by lightness, joy and renewal. In the kitchen and around our tables, that feeling invites celebration with breezy abandon—and
artisan cheeses laced with colorful herbs capture the season’s promise of renewed possibilities.
Lush and creamy, perfumed with basil, lavender, thyme and more, these cheeses taste as though an herb garden drifted into the milk, inspiring recipes—and gatherings—for savoring what is new and beautiful. Create your own love letter to spring with a botanical bash featuring herb-kissed specialty cheeses such as Decatur Dairy Basil Farmers Cheese, Sartori Garlic & Herb BellaVitano®, Marieke® Gouda Honey Clover, and Landmark Creamery Herbes de Provence Fontina.
Blossoming Bites
An ideal theme for a bridal shower, Mother’s Day or a spring fling, this celebration feels especially vibrant outdoors. Set a graceful table where April showers give way to May flowers—and herbs—arranged in pots and vases. Let bountiful herbaceous finger foods, a blueberry mojito mocktail and a vibrant salad echo the season’s kaleidoscope of color.
Mini Tea Party Sandwiches set the stage for something special. Thin slices of Decatur Dairy Basil Farmers Cheese are layered between squares of bread with tender baby spinach, cured meats and fresh tomato, then finished with edible flowers. A verdant green goddess dressing, made with fresh herbs and fragrant Basil Farmers Cheese, provides a bright finale that tastes unmistakably like spring.
Make It: Mini Tea Party Sandwiches
Decatur Dairy is a farmer-owned cheese cooperative known for Wisconsin classics such as colby and cheese curds, as well as European-inspired varieties including muenster, swiss, havarti and butterkase. Flecked with sweet basil, its creamy, mild farmers cheese offers a refreshingly herb-forward flavor with a clean, milky finish. Serve it sliced on a cheese board or add it to your favorite recipes.
Fresh Take on Greens
Share a colorful salad highlighting Sartori Garlic & Herb BellaVitano®, a hand-rubbed cheese with an herby rind meant to be enjoyed. It’s sprinkled over spring greens, crunchy cucumber, crisp sugar snap peas, striking watermelon radishes and fresh blueberries. Dotted with edible flowers, the salad is a treasure trove of farmers market finds. A honey-orange vinaigrette ties it all together for a fresh mix that’s almost too pretty to eat if it weren’t so irresistible.
Make It: Spring Mix Garden Salad
Garlic & Herb BellaVitano® is a full-flavored showpiece crafted from Sartori Cheese’s exclusive Original BellaVitano®, prized for its buttery finish, nutty, fruity notes, creamy texture and crystalline crunch. This standout is accented with lemon zest, Aleppo chili pepper, extra virgin olive oil, parsley, and a dash of garlicky goodness, delivering depth and elegance to the plate.
Spring’s Sweet Finish
Whether served as a party starter or dessert, these shortbread cookies offer a delightful landing spot for slices of Marieke® Gouda Honey Clover and Landmark Creamery Herbes de Provence Fontina. Garnished with bits of honeycomb, a drizzle of honey or dark chocolate, basil leaves and orange zest, each treat strikes a delectable balance between sweet and savory.
Make It: Dessert Cheese Basil Shortbread
Marieke® Gouda cheeses are known for elevating weeknight dishes and entertaining spreads. Master Cheesemaker Marieke Penterman’s flavored goudas—available in truffle, fennel and more—bring memorable touches and decadence to any occasion. Marieke® Gouda Honey Clover combines the authentic Dutch farmstead favorite with notes of fresh clover, yielding a sweet yet earthy aroma that enlivens the senses.
Landmark Creamery Herbes de Provence Fontina begins with rich, buttery fontina made from the milk of Brown Swiss cows. Rubbed with a distinctive blend of Mediterranean herbs, including thyme and rosemary, along with citrus peel, rose petals and lavender, the cheese’s edible rind is both aromatic and visually striking—an expression of Wisconsin cheesemaking innovation.
As the days grow longer, let these herb-kissed cheeses take their place at your table—one bite, one gathering, one beautiful moment at a time. But don’t wait too long—spring is fleeting, after all.
