What is the base cheese in Pepper Jack?

The base cheese in Pepper Jack is Monterey Jack cheese.

Monterey Jack is a mild, semi-hard cheese that originated in the United States. It is known for its smooth texture and ability to melt easily, making it a popular choice for melting on burgers, sandwiches, and various dishes.

Pepper Jack cheese gets its name from the addition of peppers. Typically, jalapeño peppers are used to give it a mild, spicy flavour. The peppers are usually mixed into the cheese during the cheese-making process. The result is a cheese that retains the smoothness of Monterey Jack but with the added kick of peppers, creating a flavourful and slightly spicy variety known as Pepper Jack.