When Don Froylan Ochoa and his wife Zoila landed in Oregon in the late ’90s, they had big dreams and… a serious lack of authentic Mexican cheese. So, they did what any cheese-loving family would do—rolled up their sleeves and got to curdling. From the tiniest tots to the abuelitas, the whole Ochoa family got in on the action—stirring, stretching, and churning milk into delicious, melty magic right in their home kitchen. Word got out (as it does when cheese is this good), and suddenly, demand was bubbling over.

Don Froylan had a dream to take things to the next level with a full-fledged creamery—but heartbreakingly, he passed away in 2000 before that dream could come to life. Refusing to let his vision fade, the family rallied. Fueled by love, grief, and a whole lot of determination, they opened Don Froylan Creamery in Salem, Oregon in 2003. Today, this family-run gem is serving up some of the most award-winning, mouthwatering Mexican cheese in the U.S. – including their superstar Queso Oaxaca, plus gold-medal-worthy Fresco, Panela, and Botanero. One bite and you’ll know: this cheese is pure corazón.

Published On: August 27th, 2025

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