OKA Original semi-soft cheese

OKA cheese is a legendary Canadian dairy product with roots tracing back to the late 19th century. It originated in the village of Oka, Quebec, where it was first created by Trappist monks at the Abbey of Notre-Dame du Lac in 1893. The cheese is famous for its distinct copper-colored rind and semi-soft texture, crafted using a specific recipe that the monks guarded for decades.

In 1981, the manufacturing rights and the commercial brand were sold by the monks to Agropur, a massive Canadian dairy cooperative. Since then, the production has been modernized but remains centered in the Oka region of Quebec. Today, OKA is one of Canada's most recognizable artisanal-style cheeses, representing a blend of traditional European monastic cheesemaking and Canadian heritage. It is owned and distributed by Agropur, which maintains the brand's position as a premium Canadian dairy staple.