There’s a reason to take another look at spreadable cheese, and you’ll find it in Wisconsin. The cheesemakers of America’s Dairyland continue to add new products to this category, and consumers are finding them a convenient option for entertaining, snacking and even cooking.
Easy Entertaining
A European-style, fresh, soft cheese with great versatility, Quark is the first offering from Milwaukee’s new Clock Shadow Creamery, operated by Cedar Grove Cheese. With a spreadable texture similar to whipped cream and a mild flavor, Quark can be eaten on its own or incorporated into a variety of sweet and savory dishes in place of cream cheese, sour cream or Ricotta. Quark’s versatility makes it delightful in mashed potatoes, breads, pastries, blintzes, cakes, soufflés, soups, main dishes, desserts and fresh smoothies. Made from pasteurized cow milk, Quark has a three-week refrigerated shelf life, but can be stored frozen and thawed in the refrigerator. Available in 8-ounce and 16-ounce containers and wholesale sizes.
Sugar Brook Farms introduces a line of distinctive cheese spreads: CheddaBlu®, CheddaDew®, and CheddaBrew®. Crafted from natural aged Wisconsin Cheddar and fresh cream cheese for spreadability, these premium spreadable snacking cheeses add a creative touch to any cheese selection. Available in 7-ounce containers.
Kelly’s Kitchen continues to expand its offering of entertaining-ready products. Traditional Tapenade with Wisconsin Feta incorporates chopped green olives, Kalamata olives, capers, olive oil, garlic and parsley. It’s perfect as a dip with pita chips or crackers, as a topping for grilled meats and vegetables, or as a quick and easy pasta sauce. Cheesemaker Kelly Longseth says the ingredients and texture make her tapenades unique. “Our ingredients are chopped – not blended to a paste like some current products available,” she says. “They have a 90-day shelf live from time of production.” Available in 6-ounce containers.
Snacking on the Go
Lactalis Deli, makers of popular Président® Brie, has introduced an individually wrapped spreadable cheese. Made with the company’s award-winning Brie, Président® Crème Petites™ are ideal for snacking, with just 70 calories in each 1-ounce wedge. The company developed the product to meet a need expressed by specialty cheese lovers for a premium portable cheese snack. Each wheel contains eight wedges with an easy peel top. Available in 8-ounce wheels.
Crystal Farms has introduced a line of spreadable cheese wedges, available in stores now. The wedges come in three flavors: Light Creamy Swiss, Light Garlic and Herb and Light Jalapeño Pepper. At just 30 calories per serving, the cheese wedges are a healthy snack — perfect for spreading on crackers, melting on vegetables or enjoying on the go. The 4-ounce wedges are individually wrapped and available in packages of six.
Classically Creamy
Pine River has been in the Wisconsin dairy business since the 19th century, and has been making popular Cold Pack Cheese, or cheese spreads, since 1963. The company recently introduced its newest flavor: Aged Asiago. Very little has changed since the Lindemann family first started making its cheese spreads. They are still made with real cheese and cream – and no fillers, extenders, dairy substitutes or hydrogenated oils. Pine River spreads enhance hearty crackers, crudités or burgers. Available in 8-ounce and 15-ounce containers.
Fayette Creamery offers all-natural Raw Milk Cheddar Cold Pack Cheese. Made by Brunkow Cheese of Wisconin, Inc. – makers of specialty and artisan cheeses since 1899 – the cheese is soft and spreadable right out of the fridge and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives. The raw milk Cheddar, preserved by the culture, acidity and salt in the cheese, is aged for one-and-a-half years before being blended with cream and whey, creating a naturally delicious spread. The spreads contain the robust flavor and crunchy crystals that consumers expect in an aged raw milk cheese. The spreads are available in a variety of flavors, including Tomato Basil Cheddar, Original White Cheddar and Horseradish Cheddar. Available in 8-ounce containers.
From Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Joe Widmer of Widmer’s Cheese Cellars, who still follows the tradition of using real bricks to press the whey out of his Brick Cheese, comes a savory Brick Cheese Spread. This pungent, addictive spread is ideal with nutty crackers and barrel aged beer. Available in 8-ounce containers.
For more information or hi-res images, contact Joanna Miller at jmiller@stephanbrady.com, (773) 661-9950. For additional questions, contact Marilyn Wilkinson, mwilkinson@wmmb.org, (608) 203-7262. For more information about Wisconsin Cheese, visit EatWisconsinCheese.com.
The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is a nonprofit organization of Wisconsin dairy producers that promotes the consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy products made in America's Dairyland.
Source: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board