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WHAT ARE AMERICAN SPECIALTY CHEESES?
T
he United States produces a quarter of
the world’s cheese output and part of it
includes specialty cheese-making- the
fastest growing segment of the American
cheese market. Often employing smaller-scale,
traditional open-vat models when compared
to large-scale factory production, a versatile
range of specialty cheeses come straight out of
America. Uncovering the stories of these cheeses
is often part of the experience of enjoying them.
Specialty cheeses traditionally include
exclusive added-value components. Used
as an umbrella term, it describes a variety
of cheeses, including American Originals,
artisan, farmstead, and organic cheeses. By
their definitions, American Originals refers to
cheeses that are uniquely American in their
original forms, with a recipe that originated
in the Americas. The term Artisan refers to
unique, hand-made cheeses, produced with
minimal mechanization. Farmstead refers
to cheeses made on the same farm that
produces the milk while the term Specialty
indicates limited production and special
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attention to quality through the cheese
making and curing process. Often aged
or cured in distinct ways, specialty cheeses
require particular attention to flavor, texture
and overall excellence.
Enjoying cheese as a stand-out ingredient
continues to be a trend within the foodservice
sector. Whether it may be quick service
restaurants, full service or family restaurants,
casual theme restaurants, fine dining, hotel and
resorts —increasing number of outlets are now
offering specialty cheeses distinctively called
out in all courses including appetizers, salads,
soups, breads, entrées, and desserts.
U.S. cheese makers have also launched
unprecedented products for dietary purposes,
producing cheeses that target specific nutritional
and dietary requirements including low fat,
reduced fat, low sodium, halal, organic and
lactose-free. The last few decades, small-scale
artisan cheese makers all over the U.S. began
producing specialty cheeses and coining them
with inventive names to reflect their own region,
tradition, or ethnicity. A few examples;
J U JULY-SEPTEMBER
LY- S E P T E M B E R 2019
2019