The strong growth in the Swiss cheese market in the US in recent years can be traced to higher demand and improved production methods, said Philip Forbes-Pryer, director of category management – imported cheese, for Saputo USA.
“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
A delicious, versatile kitchen staple that adds the perfect pop of flavor to a wide variety of dishes, Forbes-Pryor said. Best known for its trademark holes, or eyes, Swiss cheese is well loved for its mild, nutty, slightly tangy flavor that combines nicely with sandwich accoutrements and salad components. “Stella Swiss is an excellent melting cheese and adds a pleasant flavor to hot dishes like omelets, chicken cordon bleu, burgers and Panini.”
Alpenhaus Le Gruyere Cheese
An amazingly nutty, full-flavored traditional Swiss cheese, delicious in recipes or on its own, Forbes-Pryor said. Renowned for cooking, Le Gruyère cheese is made in wheels with a natural rind and a briny-dry, slightly piquant flavor. Alpenhaus Le Gruyère cheese tastes wonderful when 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.
Lorraine Cheese
A premium sandwich cheese that is widely known as the “Crown Jewel of the Deli Case,” Forbes-Pryor said. This delicately lacey cheese’s flavor is creamier and milder than Swiss and its texture makes it ideal for melting or shredding. Lorraine cheese adds a rich and elegant touch to sandwiches and since it is naturally low in sodium, you can feel good eating it, too.
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. 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 separate set the company apart from others, Forbes-Pryor added. Saputo prides itself on not only keeping up with trends, but often leading them with unique cheese flavor profiles.
For example, while its Swiss cheese offerings may be more traditional, their tastes are clean, tangy and sharp, and they provide consumers with that earthy flavor they’ve come to expect from Swiss cheese.
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 United States, 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. 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 customers 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. We also provide marketing support to encourage customers to make your new and improved cheese case a destination.”