Mediterranean cheeses feed the new generations multicultural palate

Sponsored by Schuman Cheese

Consumers are getting more adventurous about experimenting with global flavors and ingredients. Technomic’s 2018 Ethnic Food and Beverage Consumer Trend Report confirmed that millennials take an exploratory approach when it comes to food choices, with 64% saying they enjoy trying new flavors¹. Technomic’s report also shows that 24% of consumers are trying ethnic foods more now than two years ago. That number rises to 35% for 18- to 34-year-olds.

The reason millennials and Gen Zers have more ethnically diverse palates than older generations is because they’ve grown up eating international cuisines that are now mainstream. It’s no wonder the ethnic food category has grown to about 12.5 billion dollars in 2018. As the US explores other cultures, the interest in exotic tastes increases as well².

This year, one of the main global trends in cheese includes Greek profiles³. And with approximately 70 distinct cheeses produced in Greece, specialty cheese buyers have the opportunity to capitalize on the demand by offering the unique types of cheeses adventure seekers are looking for.

DODONI. The #1 Feta in Greece is Growing its Fan Base in the US.

Schuman Cheese has been importing DODONI cheeses into the US market for years. And with the recent “Eat Like the Gods” campaign, DODONI Feta is working toward becoming a household name in America just as it is in Greece.

Feta-style cheese is the fourth biggest cheese category in the world, but it’s the fastest growing, with an average 5% annual growth in emerging and developed economies. Growth in mature economies is driven by consumers’ desire for healthy salads and in entrees, where feta provides a source of both healthy protein, new taste experiences and an alternative to meat⁴.

As a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese, DODONI Feta is as authentic as you can find. Having PDO distinction means DODONI Feta is recognized by the European Union as a traditional Greek cheese produced according to strict traditional methods unique to Greece, where feta originated. With 44% of consumers reporting that they prefer completely authentic fare⁵, DODONI’s Greek authenticity resonates.

DODONI Feta is produced in the Epirus region in Greece, using exclusively 100% pasteurized sheep’s and goat’s milk from nearby farms. The unique natural landscape of Epirus is rich with vegetation and rare biodiversity, including 2,500 herbs and plants, which gives our pure products their excellent quality, unique taste and special aroma that have made them famous in Greece and abroad.

Authentic Greek flavors are apparent throughout the brand’s product line, which includes DODONI Greek PDO Feta Cheese, PDO Barrel Aged Feta Cheese, PDO Organic Feta Cheese, Goat Cheese, PDO Kefalograviera, Kefalotyri, Dry Myzithra and, drum roll please … the new star of the backyard grill: Halloumi.

Halloumi - The Other White Meat

As New Generation consumers shift away from grilling meat products, protein-seeking shoppers are leaning toward halloumi. It’s a grilling cheese that's designed not to melt easily, and for that reason, has experienced a surge in popularity lately.

There are several types of grilling cheeses, but because of PDO protection, they can’t be called halloumi if they’re not produced in Greece. DODONI Halloumi is made on the island of Cyprus using sheep's and goat's milk. It’s firm, notably tangy and not too strong. It can be enjoyed sliced as a simple snack, cubed in salads or melted in or on casseroles. But the ideal way to eat this unique cheese is to fry it or grill it. You can fry it in a pan with a little butter and some spices, which brings out the caramelized browned butter notes along with the cheese. Think of it as grilled cheese without the bread⁶. Grilled halloumi is great as an appetizer, paired with melon, served on salads or as a unique side for any dish. 

According to new research from Fact.MR, the US accounts for less than 10% of the global halloumi cheese market, but demand is growing at 6.4% per year in the US, with an expected uptick toward 7.1% growth between 2018 and 2028⁷. 

Adding DODONI to your specialty cheese case is a great way to attract shoppers looking for delicious, on-trend cheeses that feed their desire for multicultural flavors. Food trend reports agree that halloumi is a hot item that’s on the rise, and that feta answers the need for a healthy protein source and ethnic taste experience. Consumers want authenticity, plus unique flavor profiles — and DODONI provides it all. Whether it’s a meat-substitute for the grill, a trendy keto-friendly salad topper, or a contemporary take on pizza and burgers, DODONI is the way to satisfy the new generation’s taste for ethnic flavors.

_Sources: