This year in cheese we’ve seen a lot of interesting trends – herb infused cheeses aren’t going anywhere, creative cream cheese flavors continue to file in, cheeses with some spice and kick are at the top of the call sheet, and flavors like bacon and maple are making strides across the cheese board – here are some more notable trends to be aware of as the world of cheese continues to evolve.
Wisconsin cheeses are dominating restaurant menus as we speak. Items like burgers and sandwiches gain prestige when paired with a Wisconsin cheddar or a Natural Swiss – so much in fact it was measured. Burgers featuring cheese from Wisconsin hold a 27% premium over ones that don’t. There has been a 40% increase of menu mentions of Wisconsin cheese on sandwiches, and a 64% increase in mentions of pizza using Wisconsin cheese. Natural cheeses are gaining popularity as the country tries to stay mindful of health and nutrition. Artisan cheeses are a top trend in 2015, while flavored cheeses have seen a notable spike. In the first 5 months of 2015, flavored cheeses saw 4.5% growth compared to the same time a year prior. Leading that charge is Jalapeño flavored cheeses, then Smoked flavor and finally Taco.
2015 isn’t over yet, and chances are more innovative flavors will surface before the new year. Be sure to check out past & future newsletters for more insights and stories on our delicious and diverse industry of cheese!