Retail giant Tesco has said that it has launched the UK's 'first ever commercially produced bespoke cheddar'.
The retailer called on customers to help create a new product, along with cheese producer Parkham Farms. After researching cheese flavour profiles and conducting taste trials with over 150 customers, Tesco developed its own brand of extra mature cheddar cheese.
Changing Tastes
Tesco says that demand for its extra mature cheese has grown by 40% as customer tastes begin to change.
"The British palate is changing and in the last five years we’ve seen a dramatic shift from mild to stronger tasting Cheddar as the UK’s favourite cheese," said Kay Legge, Tesco cheese expert.
“For over 50 years, spicier foods have become more common in our diets, and as our taste buds have acclimatised to the flavours, we see that customers now have a hankering for a deeper and more complex taste profile for their cheese."
Tesco's extra mature cheddar won gold at the British Cheese Awards in June, and silver and the International Cheese awards this week, while its mature range won gold at the Devon County show in May.
“Involving some of our customers in the cheese-making process has been really helpful," added Legge. They obviously have great taste – as both varieties have won gold medals at two major cheese events and demand has continued to soar.”
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
