How many different kinds of cheese are there in the US?

It's impossible to give a definitive answer to how many different kinds of cheese are made in the US. Here's why:

* No Official Registry: There's no single, official registry of all cheese varieties made in the US.

* Constant Innovation: Cheesemakers are constantly developing new and unique cheeses, making a fixed number impossible.

* Regional Variations: Cheesemaking traditions vary greatly across the US, leading to countless regional styles.

* Subjectivity: What constitutes a distinct "kind" of cheese is open to interpretation.

However, we can give you some context:

* The American Cheese Society (ACS): This organization hosts an annual competition that showcases a wide range of American cheeses. In recent years, there have been over 2,000 entries in the competition, giving a rough idea of the diversity.

* The USDA: The USDA recognizes around 150 different cheese varieties. However, this is just a small sample of the actual number of cheese types made in the US.

Ultimately, there are likely thousands of different kinds of cheese produced in the US.