Cheese
  • BOLD CHEESE! IT'S HELUVA GOOD! (posted November 19, 2012)
  • Continuing a legacy of bringing innovative and exciting flavors to ordinary favorites, HP Hood LLC’s Heluva Good! brand introduces BOLD cheeses.
  • This new line of naturally aged cheeses, which is now available in select Northeast grocers, includes Chipotle Cheddar, Habanero Jack and Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar.
  • “These new flavors put a twist on traditional favorites and provide bold options to cheese lovers,” says Chris Ross, vice president of marketing. “The BOLD flavors are each pronounced and unique, and offer consumers a great new way to add flavor to their holiday gatherings, family parties or everyday snacks and dinners.”
  • Each new flavor is distinctly different from the rest.
  • Chipotle Cheddar offers a smoky, sharp cheddar cheese taste.
  • Habanero Jack is a smooth, creamy jack cheese with a habanero spice.
  • Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar is aged for more than 15 months for a seriously sharp flavor.
  • For more information, visit www.heluvagood.com
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  • BRIE WITH SOME KICK (posted November 15, 2012)
  • Just in time for holiday entertaining, Arla Foods introduces a new concept to its European-style rich and creamy brie cheese line. It’s brie with some kick.
  • Sold under the Saga brand, the two new flavors of brie are: Jalapeno and Everything Spice.
  • The latter includes a spicy blend of sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, minced onion, minced garlic, poppy seeds and black caraway seeds.
  • The 10-ounce rounds sell for $7.99.
  • For more information, visit www.arlafoodsusa.com
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  • CHEESE FROM DOWN UNDER SHOULD SCORE BIG IN THE STATES (posted November 13, 2012)
  • Moondarra is an indigenous Koori word and the name of a rich, lush pastoral region of Gippsland, Australia, renowned for the quality and variety of its dairy products.
  • And like Moondarra Cheese Pty LTD’s namesake, Moondarra Cheese, which is now available in the States, is also widely acclaimed for its  high-quality, innovative and unique range of flavored cheeses.
  • The company uses the freshest ingredients and combines this with a unique method of processing and packaging to allow its innovations to be experienced in the States…or at least in Chicago, where the 120-gram rolls of seasoned cream cheese are debuting in the specialty cheese case of Safeway-owned stores.
  • The company says that its vacuum-sealed technology maintains freshness and maximizes shelf life.
  • Yummy! Varieties are: Apricot & Almond, Cranberry & Macadamia and Fig & Walnut.
  • A 30-gram serving of any variety contains 100 to 110 calories, and 7.9 to 9.4 grams of fat, depending on flavor.
  • These flavorful cheeses are making their way into markets throughout the world. In addition to the U.S., these cheeses are rolling out to select markets in S.E. Asia, Korea and Russia.
  • For more information, visit www.moondarracheese.com.au/
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  • STATE CHEDDARS UNITE (posted November 5, 2012)
  • Sargento shows cheese marketers that collaboration is a way to grow the cheese business!
  • (Did you miss Friday’s BLOG entitled: Collaborate to Innovate? Read it HERE.)
  • Simply, in perfect harmony, Sargento combines cheddars from four states—California, New York, Vermont and Wisconsin—in its new Chef Blends 4 State Cheddar shredded cheese.
  • For more information, visit  www.sargento.com/products/223/sargento-chef-blends-four-state-cheddar-shredded-cheese/
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  • LABNE IS NOW MADE IN THE USA (posted November 1, 2012)
  • Labne is best described as a thick and creamy, as well as spreadable, yogurt cheese.
  • It functions as a better-for-you alternative to a cream cheese spread for bagels. And in most recipes, can substitute for cream cheese, sour cream and yogurt. It’s quite versatile and very delicious.  
  • Karoun Dairies Inc., a U.S. company founded in 1992 by dairy experts from the Mediterranean region, produces dairy products that resemble foods from Mediterranean countries. This includes labne, which tastes like authentic Lebanese yogurt cheese.
  • Labne is traditionally made by draining whey from slightly salted yogurt. Karoun describes its product as starting from a kefir base.
  • Sold in 1-pound containers, Karoun Labne comes in regular and lite varieties. A two-tablespoon serving of regular contains 60 calories and 6 grams of fat, while the lite drops down to 35 calories and 3 grams of fat.
  • Containers feature a variety of seals, including “Real California Milk,” “Live Probiotic Cultures” and “rBST Free.”
  • For more information, visit www.karouncheese.com
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  • ARTISAN CHEESES FOR THE DELI-PRODUCE DEPARTMENT (posted October 22, 2012)
  • Litehouse Foods, long known for salad dressings, now markets hand-crafted cheeses in the retail deli-produce department.
  • The program includes artisan blue cheese, gorgonzola and feta, which are available in wedges, wheels, crumbles and a unique center cut of the blue cheese.
  • “What makes the Litehouse Artisan Deli Cheese line unique is the quality and taste of the cheese, coupled with the unique packaging,” according to Stacey Miller, business development manager. “There are a lot of great cheeses out there, and a lot of not so great cheeses. We needed to educate consumers on our high quality, and to have a point of difference to stand out. Our niche is offering a premium domestic cheese.”
  • The premier item is the center cut blue cheese. This cut comes from the heart of the blue cheese, and is carefully displayed on a domed tray that becomes a serving tray for the cheese.
  • Something new to the category are the wedges, which are hand wrapped in eco-friendly brown paper with a stylish label.
  • There are also 6-pound wheels of gorgonzola and blue cheese--a beautiful centerpiece for any deli merchandising and for the true blue cheese enthusiast.
  • Litehouse premium domestic cheeses are made with locally sourced, single-source milk.
  • The blue cheese and gorgonzola are made in small batches from vintage recipes with strains dating back to pre-World War II, according to the company. Each wheel is hand turned, hand salted and aged a minimum of 100 days.
  • For more information, visit www.litehousefoods.com.
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  • INTENSELY FLAVORED CHEESE (posted September 25, 2012)
  • Yancey’s Fancy, known for its use of intense flavors in artisan pasteurized process cheese, has been busy creating and perfecting five new items to add to its expanding list of flavors.
  • Two of the new flavors--Natural Smoked Jalapeno & Cayenne Cheddar and Natural Smoked Applewood & Hickory Double Cream Cheddar--are naturally smoked in a smoke house as opposed to adding liquid smoke flavor as was done in the past. The resulting taste is a more natural, fresh flavoring that is sure to please.
  • With the growing popularity of chipotle peppers, Yancey’s is introducing two cheeses that are sure to make your eyes water: Chipotle Cheddar and Chipotle & Habanero Cheddar.
  • The fifth and final new flavor is Fresh Killer Dill Cheddar. As the name suggests, it packs a punch with dill.
  • For more information, visit www.yanceysfancy.com
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  • ITALIAN DELI CHEESE (posted September 20, 2012)
  • The taste of Italy now comes freshly sliced from the supermarket deli.
  • Land O’Lakes Inc., is rolling out Land O Lakes 4 Cheese Italian Blend, which combines the rich flavors of Asiago, Romano and Parmesan with creamy American to bring the authentic taste of Italy to American fare.
  • Hard Italian cheeses, such as Asiago, Romano and Parmesan, tend to melt more slowly than American cheese. As a result, it takes a little longer for Land O Lakes 4 Cheese Italian Blend to melt, but consumers still find the creamy texture they expect from American cheese in this Italian blend.
  • The company’s test kitchens developed recipes and tips that highlight the wide range of uses for this new processed cheese product.
  • The cheese comes in 5-lb loaves for made-to-order slicing in the deli.
  • Each 1-ounce serving contains 100 calories and 70 grams of fat.
  • For more information, visit www.landolakes.com/4CheeseItalianBlend/
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  • PIZZA-FLAVORED CHEESE SNACKS (posted Sepember 10, 2012)
  • After school snacking just got tastier with new Borden Pizza String, which is mozzarella-style string cheese with pizza seasonings.
  • Dairy Farmers of America produces this tasty treat, selling them in packs of eight.
  • Each 0.83-gram string contains 70 calories and 4.5 grams of fat.
  • Strings can be stretched and pulled and pieces dunked into pizza or pasta sauce for extra enjoyment.
  • For more information, visit www.friendsofelsie.com.
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  • UNIQUELY FLAVORED SPECIALTY CHEESES (posted August 22, 2012)
  • Sartori is introducing two new flavors to its popular BellaVitano cheese line, which is a collection of unique and premium cheeses inspired by the company’s founder Paolo Sartori.
  • Cannella BellaVitano is part of the Sartori Limited Edition Line. Notes of cinnamon complement this creamy, fruity cheese. It is rolling out in fall 2012.
  • Peppermint BellaVitano is hand-rubbed with peppermint candy, creating a pink, tangy cheese with a sweet peppermint kiss. The cheese will be sold in limited quantities in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, with a dollar per pound sold donated to breast cancer research.   
  • Both will be available in wheels and various retail cuts.
  • For more information, visit www.sartoricheese.com.
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  • NATURAL CHEESE SLICES WITH IMPROVED MELT (posted August 21, 2012)
  • Kraft extends its “A Touch of Philly” cheese line with three slice varieties: Colby Jack, Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack.
  • The company developed a process to combine Philadelphia Cream Cheese with natural cheese to create a slice that melts faster, smoother and with a more even melt with less oiling off.
  • Adding just a touch of cream cheese does not add a significant amount of calories or fat, meaning Nutrition Facts remain the same as like varieties of the company’s traditional Kraft Natural Sliced Cheeses.
  • The shingle-stacked slices come 10 to a pack, with each slice being 0.7 ounces.
  • For more information, visit www.kraftrecipes.com/kraftcheese/slices.aspx.
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  • KERRYGOLD DUBLINER GOES REDUCED FAT (posted August 13, 2012)
  • Dubliner, a proprietary cheese variety and U.K.-based Kerrygold’s best-seller in the U.S., is a cheese with complexity, enticing texture and heady aromas.  
  • It has a natural hint of sweetness, elements of mature cheddar, the nutty taste of a Swiss and the piquant bite of aged Parmesan.
  • It is at once crumbly yet creamy, with the aromas of fresh-baked bread layered with fresh buttermilk.
  • And…the good news…the reduced-fat version is virtually indistinguishable from the original, according to the company.   
  • Like all Kerrygold cheeses and butter, Reduced Fat Dubliner is made in Ireland with milk from grass-fed cows that are never given growth hormones. The cows are raised on small family farms; average herd size is 60.
  • Kerrygold Reduced Fat Dubliner is available in 7-ounce parchment packages, exactly like the original Dubliner, but with a blue stripe across the package to identify the reduced-fat version.
  • For more information, visit www.kerrygoldusa.com
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  • FLAVORFUL NEW CHEESE OFFERINGS (posted August 2, 2012)
  • Dairy Farmers of America has been growing its Borden-branded cheese line, with the most recent introduction being shreds in Gouda and Whole Milk Mozzarella varieties.
  • Recognizing American’s growing passion for smoky flavors—everything from pulled pork to chipotle peppers--the company also now offers a Smoked Cheddar flavor in its natural cheese slices line and its Singles Sensations line of process cheese singles.
  • For the health-conscious cheese consumer, the Borden pasteurized process cheese slices line now includes 2% Milk Swiss, 2% Milk Pepper Jack and Fat-Free Pepper Jack. There’s also a new 2% Milk Mozzarella shredded cheese offering.
  • For more information, visit www.friendsofelsie.com.
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  • PORTION CONTROLLING CHEESE (posted July 22, 2012)
  • Alouette is helping consumers continue to enjoy its creamy, namesake spreadable cheese through the introduction of Alouette Portions.
  • Perfectly sized and foil wrapped for freshness, Portions are great for snacking anytime, anywhere.
  • Portions come in Original and Italian Herbs varieties, and contain only 40 calories per 17-gram cube. The cubes are sold in packs of eight at a suggested retail price of $3.99.
  • The brand recently became the exclusive sponsor of the Portion Size Me Summer Tour, a cross-country journey featuring 12-year-old Marshall Reid and his mother, Alex, co-authors of Portion Size Me. This recently released book chronicles the family’s journey to weight loss and better health through good food and snacking habits that are achievable in portioned sizes without taste sacrifice.
  • “Portion Size Me is a lifestyle that started out as a summer project to get my family in shape with new, interesting ways to think about our food choices,” says the child author. “We hope that our summer tour can inspire families across the country to consider the Portion Size Me lifestyle, which is pretty simple: swap unhealthy ingredients for better ones, shop local markets and farms when you can, stick to the correct portion sizes, and never give up on yourself.”
  • For more information, visit www.alouettecheese.com
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  • COTTAGE CHEESE: THE ORIGINAL HIGH-PROTEIN CULTURED DAIRY PRODUCT (posted July 20, 2012)
    Cottage cheese is poised for a comeback thanks to its inherent high-protein content and ability to complement both sweet and savory flavors, enabling it to be an appetizer, snack, meal or dessert.
  • Read about this on my July 20, 2012 BLOG.
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  • IMPORTED CHEESE THAT BITES—OUCH! (posted July 19, 2012)
  • With its playful warning, “Careful. It Bites!”, Trugman-Nash, an affiliate of MCT Dairies, has launched an exciting new line of vintage Australian cheddar cheeses under the brand name Old Croc.
  • Available in two varieties—Old Croc Sharp and Old Croc Extra Sharp—these classic white Australian cheddars are all natural and crafted from 100% pure Australian milk from pasture-fed cows that have not been treated with artificial growth hormones.
  • Old Croc Sharp and Old Croc Extra Sharp are carefully aged a minimum of nine and 18 months, respectively, and promise a “delightfully bold bite.”
  • “With the growing demand for bolder, more flavorful cheeses, we're very excited to introduce this new brand of specialty Australian cheddar to the U.S. market,” says Ken Meyers, CEO of MCT Dairies and Trugman-Nash.
  • The cheeses are available in 7-ounce and 24-ounce cuts, as well as 10/11 lb. random-weight loaves.
  • For more information, visit www.oldcroccheese.com.
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  • RAW-MILK, DUTCH-STYLE WISCONSIN CHEESE (posted July 10, 2012)
  • Holland’s Family Cheese introduced Marieke Golden at the 2012 International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) Expo.
  • This semi-soft Wisconsin cheese is crafted from milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormone and it uses vegetable rennet. The raw milk is piped straight into the processing vat after the first milking of the day, where it is made into cheese within mere hours.
  • The cheese is carefully cured on Dutch pine planks in the company’s aging cellars.
  • Marieke Golden develops a creamy mouthfeel rich in nuttiness with hints of sweet fruit. It has a soft, buttery texture and pleasantly sweet aroma.
  • For more information, visit www.hollandsfamilycheese.com.
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  • NEW OFFERINGS FOR DELI CHEESE (posted June 28, 2012)
  • Finlandia Cheese Inc., a subsidiary of Valio Ltd., rolled out eight new varieties of deli cheese at the recent International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) show.
  • The company now offers a turnkey deli solution for the owner/retailer seeking a one-stop-shop for their entire deli cheese inventory.
  • The new varieties are:
  • Provolone: A true classic, Finlandia Provolone is aged 60 days for a sharp, authentic provolone flavor and distinct texture.
  • American: The company made a true favorite bolder and more flavorful by creating it with six-month aged cheddar cheese. This cheese was developed with a proprietary formula using cheddar as the base to create a special American for the cheese lover who desires a bit more flavor.  
  • Cheddar: This cheddar is smooth and creamy and aged six months for a bolder flavor.
  • Monterey Jack: Delicate and buttery, this cheese also has a creamy, smooth melt.
  • Havarti: This cheese has a buttery and slightly zesty flavor profile, with a smooth, delicate texture.
  • Pepper Jack: To make this cheese, cheesemakers started with the delicate buttery taste of Monterey Jack and kicked it up a notch with spicy jalapeno peppers.
  • Colby Jack: The mild Colby flavor mixed with the buttery flavor of Monterey Jack produces a flavorful, creamy Colby Jack.
  • Jalapeno Muenster: This cheese is the perfect combination of a mild creamy Muenster cheese with the spicy kick of jalapeno peppers.
  • Drawing upon 100 years of European cheese-making experience, Finlandia uses only the finest ingredients, such as pure, farm-fresh milk and ages their cheese to perfection.  
  • All of Finlandia’s new deli cheeses are supported by a comprehensive, in-store marketing program as well as employee cheese education.  
  • For more information, visit www.finlandiacheese.com.
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  • PREMIUM CHEESE SPREADS (posted June 19, 2012)
  • Swiss Colony Retail Brands is reinventing the processed cheese spread category with its new line of
  • The Wisconsin Cheeseman Incredible Spreadable cheese spreads.
  • There are eight varieties, all based on cream cheese.
  • Garlic has a kick of spices and a bit of bite.
  • Sweet Hot Peppers is a blend of jalapeno and bell peppers plus onions for a slightly hot, savory-sweet spread.
  • Garden Vegetable is a zesty, refreshing blend of bell peppers, carrots, celery, onions, dill weed and garlic.
  • Spinach contains its namesake nutrient-rich green along with garlic, onion and spices.
  • Lobster Delight tastes like lobster blended with toasted onions, chives and spice.
  • Shrimp Scampi combines shrimp flavor with a tang of garlic.
  • Crab Delight melds the flavors of shrimp, onion, chives and spices.
  • Smoked Salmon combines subtle, smoky salmon flavor with a touch of cheddar, onions and chives.
  • For more information, visit www.scretailbrands.com.
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  • REDUCED-CHOLESTEROL CHEESE AND BUTTER (posted May 29, 2012)
  • Benelact Dairy introduces a reduced-cholesterol (one-third less) line of cheese and butter.
  • The products are made using a patented technology that mechanically removes cholesterol from milk and cream without the use of chemicals. Fats remain untouched, so flavor, functionality and nutrition stay completely intact. No flavor-enhancing additives or preservatives are required.
  • Benelact Dairy products are real, all-natural dairy foods with simple ingredients. This is particularly important to the increasing number of consumers who avoid additives and actively seek natural foods with clean labels.
  • The company makes all cuts and varieties of cheese, including commodity, specialty and ethnic types, as well as salted and unsalted butter varieties.
  • Future products include reduced-cholesterol milk, yogurt, frozen pizza and milk powders.
  • For more information, visit www.benelactdairy.com.

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  • HISPANIC-FLAVORED DELI CHEESES (posted May 14, 2012)
  • Boar’s Head Brand, a leading provider of premium delicatessen products, introduces Boar’s Head Bold, a new line of Hispanic-flavored deli meats and cheeses.
  • Inspired by flavors from Brazil, 3 Pepper Colby Jack Cheese is crafted from a blend of three peppers: jalapeno, chipotle and habanero. Jalapeno adds intense flavor, chipotle creates a deep smokiness and habanero brings an extra smoky, spicy burn to every bite.
  • Chipotle Gouda Cheese is influenced by the port city of Veracruz, Mexico. It is a semi-sweet Gouda, mild and mellow, infused with just enough chipotle and jalapeno peppers for a unique savory, smoky flavor and medium heat.
  • “With the trend in foreign travel and the popularity of ethnic foods, consumers have developed an appetite for complex flavor profiles. With our new line of Bold products, Boar’s Head is creating unique and delicious products that make international tastes convenient and accessible,” says Michael Martella, president of Boar’s Head.
  • For more information, visit www.boarshead.com.
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  • LIGHT SPREADABLE CHEESE WEDGES (posted April 18, 2012)
  • Just in time for summer-time picnic packing, Crystal Farms introduces a line of light spreadable cheese wedges.
  • Consumers appreciate the portability and convenience of the 4-ounce spreadable cheese wedge, which is sold in packs of six in a sturdy, recyclable cardboard round container.
  • Varieties are: Light Creamy Swiss, Light Garlic and Herb, and Light Jalapeño Pepper.
  • Similar cheese wedges became popular during the low-carb craze, as they contain virtually no carbohydrates and are loaded with satiating protein.
  • At just 30 calories per serving, a wedge of the new light varieties contains a mere 1.5 grams of fat along with 3 grams of quality protein, which complements the snacking trend of “filling up” on protein-rich foods.