Oser Communications Group

38 The Cheese Guide Named after the type of sand- stone that forms the caves, St. Pete's Select is the Caves of Faribault's signature super pre- mium American blue cheese. This premium blue cheese is hand- made then cave-aged in the his- toric sandstone caves located in Faribault, Minnesota. These caves provide the ideal environmental properties for curing and aging cheese. Caves of Faribault has been dedicated to making cave-aged cheeses of exceptional quality since 2001, and one of its first launches was St. Pete's Se- lect, which is part of the AmaBlu ® family of cheeses. Available only in limited quantities, wheels of St. Pete's are hand selected and then cave aged for more than 100 days. The flavor profile of St. Pete's has been described as "complex, complicated yet delightfully inti- mate." A deliciously creamy mouth feel and pro- nounced piquant sharpness are the hallmark characteris- tics of this classic American-made blue cheese. Swiss Valley Farms 563.468.6600 www.swissvalley.com www.cavesoffaribault.com Caves of Faribault's Signature St. Pete's Select Blue Cheese Green Dirt Farm was founded by Sarah Hoffmann, the company's Executive Cheesemaker and Owner, in 2002 in northwestern Missouri. "Our farm is a sheep diary that believes grass-fed sheep are the happiest and most productive, so we take great pride in the care and well-being of our animals," she says. "We believe it's why our sheep's milk dairy and creamery produces award-win- ning cheeses and yogurts." Since 2012, the company has been partnered with a few nearby small family dairies to expand the amount of sheep's milk available to make a line of six flavors of soft cheeses similar go chevre, except that they're made with sheep's milk, which has a very different fla- vor profile from that of goat's milk. "As part of our agreement, these farmers promise to use the same Earth-friendly and human prac- tices that we use on our farm," Hoffman says. "Animal Welfare Approved is an organization that audits our farms yearly and certi- fies us as upholding the highest animal welfare and environmental standards." There are six flavors of Green Dirt Farm's Fresh Sheep's Milk Cheeses: Plain, Nettle, Garlic and Peppercorn, Rosemary, Garlic and Herb and Spicy Chilis. The cheeses have won multiple awards at the American Cheese Society's annual competitions. "We think it is vitally important to the quality and flavor of our milk that our animals are fed a diverse, grass- based diet," Hoffmann says. "Not only does this lead to happy, healthy animals, but we also know that feeding a grass-based diet concentrates more aroma compounds in the milk, leading to more delicious flavors in our products." This year, Green Dirt Farm is rebranding all of its products with a playful new wrapping for all of the aged cheeses that will stand out in the cheese case. "We are especially excited for the colorful new containers for our Fresh, the soft spreadable sheep's milk cheeses," Hoffman says. "These new cups will easily identify the flavor through the various colored cups, and the new size im- proves our price point. They will be an attractive standout in the dairy case, and the modified at- mosphere packaging will im- prove shelf life." The newly rebranded products are expected to appeal to con- sumers searching for wholesome, delightful alternative dairy taste experiences, Hoffmann says. "I founded Green Dirt Farm to give form to my passion for good, clean food that is sustainably produced," she says. "Our target wholesale customers are spe- cialty grocers and retailers who feature handcrafted American dairy products." Fresh Sheep Milk Cheeses from Green Dirt Farm New Ariston Organic Balsamic Vinegars New Ariston Line of organic bal- samic vinegars are character- ized by a perfect balance between sweet and sour. This product is made exclusively with organically farmed grapes with no pesticides. The entire pro- duction process is certified in order to guarantee consumers the compliance with highest or- ganic farming standards, guar- anteed by the CCPB certifying body. The grapes must simmer slowly while cooking over a direct heat in an open vessel, and is concentrated until it is reduced to about one third of its original vol- ume. It is then placed in the attic, in a series of casks of oak wood. Here, the bal- samic vinegar pass through the years acidi- fying, aging until it has reached a bal- ance that only the alchemy of time can mas- ter, prodded along by the masterful hands of artisans. This balsamic is naturally dark and dense, with a five per- cent acidity content. Add some over straw- berries or on your fa- vorite salad to add complexity. Ariston Specialties 860.224.7184 www.aristonspecialties.com Biery Cheese started back in 1929 when a young Norman Biery began producing cheese on the family dairy farm in sleepy Louisville, Ohio. Now, nearly 90 years later, Biery's delicious cheeses, including its line-up of gourmet deli sticks, (including five natural and three process cheeses), are readily avail- able to grocers nation- wide. Families love all eight varieties, including Biery's award-winning Horseradish and Hot Pepper deli cheeses. Biery Cheese 330.875.3381 www.bierycheese.com A Variety of Cheeses from Biery Cheese Flavored cheese is a $1.5 billion market in the US, according to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and its growth outpaces that of non-flavored cheese. Country Connection's Sriracha Cheddar puts the deli's cheese case in the heart of this market. Country Connection Cheese Company's award-winning Sriracha Cheddar meets the growing demand for sriracha fla- voring. Indeed, this cheddar, made by one of Wisconsin's Mas- ter Cheesemakers in the Driftless Hills of southwestern Wisconsin, is a profitable and visually appeal- ing addition to any cheese case. The heat of sriracha is tem- pered by the cooling effect of the dairy, such that its flavor is savored, and consumers re- turn to it time and again. Excellent melted on a burger, a favorite on the cheese board, it is the life of the party. Since its launch ear- lier in 2015, Country Connection's Sriracha Cheddar reorders have steadily grown. Country Connection Cheese Company was es- tablished in 1973 and offers flavored, smoked and classic cheese varieties. Sriracha Cheddar is available in 5-pound loaves or ½-pound prepacks. Country Connection Cheese Co. 312.656.0463. w w w . c o u n t r y c o n n e c t i o n cheese.com Cheddar Sriracha from Country Connection Cheese Company

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