Strong growth in the United States Swiss cheese market in recent years can be traced to higher demand and improved production methods, Saputo USA director of category management, imported cheese, Philip Forbes-Pryer said.
“As consumers continue to demand diversity in their cheese options – from their flavors and textures to versatility of use – Swiss cheeses are ideal options for charcuterie and cheese boards, sandwiches, salads, toppers, dips, fondues and more,” Forbes-Pryor said.
Saputo currently markets three branded Swiss cheeses: Stella Swiss Cheese, Alpenhaus Le Gruyere Cheese and Lorraine Cheese.
The company described its Stella Swiss Cheese as a versatile kitchen staple that adds a pop of flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Best known for its trademark holes, or eyes, Swiss cheese features a mild, nutty, slightly tangy flavor that complements sandwich accoutrements and salad components. Saputo said Stella Swiss is “an excellent melting cheese and adds a pleasant flavor to hot dishes like omelets, chicken cordon bleu, burgers and Panini.”
The Alpenhaus Le Gruyere Cheese, Forbes-Pryor shared, is a nutty, full-flavored traditional Swiss cheese that he called “delicious” in recipes or on its own. Noted for its cooking capabilities, Le Gruyère cheese is made in wheels with a natural rind and a briny-dry, slightly piquant flavor. Alpenhaus Le Gruyère cheese, Saputo added, may be melted over cooked vegetables and meats. An earthy, hard, but smooth cheese, with tiny, round holes, Le Gruyère cheese can be used alone or in combination with Emmental cheese to make a fantastic fondue.
Forbes-Pryor described Lorraine Cheese as a premium sandwich cheese that is known as the “Crown Jewel of the Deli Case.” A delicately lacey cheese, its flavor is creamier and milder than Swiss and its texture makes it ideal for melting or shredding. Lorraine cheese also is naturally low in sodium.
Forbes-Pryor said it’s hard to say which of the three is Saputo customers’ and consumers’ favorite.
“They’re all favorites due to their flavor profiles and versatility,” he said. “Stella Swiss is great for charcuterie and cheese boards, and snacking, whereas the Le Gruyere is ideal for melting – ideal for hot sandwiches, dips, pastas. And the Lorraine cheese slices are perfect for topping on sandwiches and including in wraps.”
Saputo’s variety of cheeses throughout its portfolio continues to set the company apart from others, Forbes-Pryor said. Saputo prides itself on not only keeping up with trends, but often leading them with unique cheese flavor profiles.
In addition to the unique flavor profiles and variety Saputo offers, the company also prides itself on providing consumers with unique recipes and serving suggestions to help guide them guide and draw inspiration in their cheese snacking, serving and cooking journey, Forbes-Pryor said.
Award-winning options from Emmi Roth
Emmi Roth is the top importer of Le Gruyére AOP in the US, said Tony Salathe, senior vice president of sales. The company’s Swiss cheese offerings also include Emmi Emmentaler AOP, Kaltbach Le Gruyère AOP, Fondue products, Raclette, Appenzeller, Switzerland Swiss, Tête de Moine AOP and Le Maréchal.
Emmi’s Swiss cheeses won three awards at the 2024 World Cheese Awards in Portugal, including two Gold awards for Emmi Kaltbach Le Gruyère AOP and Emmi Le Gruyère AOP.
It’s a product roster that has evolved to offer even more quality Swiss cheeses available across the nation, Salathe said.
“Our products meet the needs of today’s consumers,” he said. “We listen to our customers, track consumer trends and also have a corporate executive chef to help us identify trends.”
The use of quality Swiss cheeses for cooking and on cheeseboards continues to trend up, he added. Emmi Roth has also seen the popularity of fondue at home grow, and Emmi’s line of products helps make it easy for consumers to have an authentic and flavorful fondue at home.
In addition to the Emmi brand being recognized as a category leader in Swiss, the company is able to offer its customers resources to help drive consumers to shelves and to increase basket rings, Salathe said.
“Our team is able to offer recommendations that are grounded in data-driven consumer behaviors and category trends,” he explained.