If you're looking for cheese with a little bit of a kick, Trader Joe's new Canestrato Pepato fits the bill perfectly.
Trader Joe's new Canestrato Pepato is a delicious new cheese made by an award-winning cheesemaker in Sardinia, Italy. This cheesemaker combines century-old practices with a modern production facility to turn pasturized sheep's milk, salt, animal rennet, and cheese cultures into a rich and nutty cheese. The cheese is then infused with peppercorns, which give the already peppery cheese a milk kick.
To best enjoy the tasty new cheese, Trader Joe's recommends using it in homemade Cacio e Pepe pasta recipes. And if you're enjoying the cheese on its own, it makes the perfect pairing for a pint of pale ale.
Image Credit: Trader Joe's
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Infused Cheeses
- There is an opportunity for artisanal and small-scale cheesemakers to experiment with different infusions like peppercorns, truffles, and herbs to create unique and flavorful cheeses.
- Traditional + Modern
- Combining traditional cheesemaking practices with modern production facilities has the potential to create high-quality cheeses with unique flavors and textures like the Canestrato Pepato.
- Pairing Recommendations
- There is a trend of suggesting specific pairings for cheeses to elevate the eating and tasting experience, which could be extended to other food and beverage products.
Where This Applies
- Cheese Industry
- Cheesemakers and dairy farmers can explore creative ways to innovate and differentiate their products to meet evolving consumer tastes and preferences.
- Food Retail Industry
- Retailers can leverage the trend of pairing recommendations to suggest complementary products and create a more immersive and enjoyable shopping experience for consumers.
- Hospitality Industry
- Restaurants, bars, and other venues can use infused cheeses like Canestrato Pepato to add unique taste and texture to their dishes and drinks, which can become a key selling point and attract new customers.
