Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the 2018 World Championship Cheese Contest just concluded, and in a stunning upset, Agropur's 'L'Extra Camembert' toppled the competition to take home the top prize in its category. Though Camembert originated in the region of the same name in Normandy, France, the cheese out of Ste-Hyacinthe, Quebec, bested its forebears.
Agropur, a Canadian dairy co-op, describes its award-winning Camembert as having a "creamy texture and hazelnut-and-mushroom flavor", and the judges at the Madison, Wisconsin, cheese event found those umami flavors amenable. It was a narrow victory, though, as L'Extra Camembert topped its closest competitor, a cheese from Belmont, Wisconsin, but just five one-hundredths of a point.
The World Championship Cheese Contest is an annual event judged by 50 experts from countries around the world.
Champion Canadian Camemberts
Agropur's 'L'Extra Camembert' Won the World Champion Cheese Contest
Trend Themes
1. Artisanal Cheese-making - As evidenced by the World Championship Cheese Contest, there is growing interest in artisanal cheese-making, creating opportunities for boutique cheese-makers to differentiate themselves from large-scale dairy operations.
2. Plant-based Cheese - As the dairy industry faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental impact, plant-based cheese alternatives are gaining popularity, presenting disruption opportunities for dairy-alternative producers.
3. Cheese Tourism - As cheese enthusiasts become more adventurous, there is an opportunity for travel and tourism companies to create cheese-themed itineraries to highlight unique regional cheese varieties and cheese-making traditions around the world.
Industry Implications
1. Dairy - As consumers develop a more sophisticated palate, the dairy industry can explore further innovation in cheese production and marketing, using award-winning examples like Agropur as inspirations for new cheese flavors and products.
2. Hospitality - Restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses can leverage the growing interest in artisanal cheese-making to incorporate high-quality cheese into their menus, create cheese tasting experiences, and attract cheese enthusiasts.
3. Food Tourism - Food tourism companies can tap into the rising popularity of unique cheese varieties by creating specialty tours that highlight regional cheeses and cheese-making traditions, providing opportunities for local communities and small businesses.