# Succulently Brined Cheeses The 'Hooper' Goat Cheese is Evenly Aged to Delicious Perfection By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2024-11-28 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/softripened-goat-cheese References: [bostonglobe](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/22/lifestyle/mark-40-years-vermont-creamery-releases-doughnut-shaped-cheese/) & [vermontcreamery](https://www.vermontcreamery.com/products/hooper)  [Vermont Creamery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vermont-creamery-strawberry-spritz), a company that has been putting smiles on the faces of artisan dairy product lovers for four decades now, has entered new territory with the launch of its a soft-ripened goat cheese that happens to be its first donut shaped and rind-moistened aged offering. The 'Hooper' brand of soft-ripened cheese makes use of a carefully selected combination of [goat and cow milks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laura-chenel), with the creamery's recognizable Geotrichum variety rind benefiting from a brining process that utilizes French sea salt, with the end result being a cheese that has a novel appearance, delectable flavor and irresistible texture. This soft-ripened cheese also stands out due to its donut-like shape that allows for consistent aging across the surface area of the cheese, whilst also giving it a unique visual aesthetic. Crafted in conservative batches, the 'Hooper' soft-ripened cheese is sure to delight avid cheese connoisseurs as well as people looking to explore beyond [standard supermarket-shelf goat cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seasonal-goat-cheese) for the first time. Image Credit: Vermont Creamery ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 32% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Brined Artisan Cheeses:** The innovation of using French sea salt in the aging process elevates texture and flavor, setting a new standard for artisan cheeses. - **Donut-shaped Cheeses:** The unique circular shape promotes even aging and offers a visually appealing alternative to traditional cheese forms. - **Small-batch Dairy Products:** Crafting cheeses in conservative batches allows for meticulous quality control and caters to niche markets looking for unique and high-quality options. ### Where This Applies - **Artisan Dairy:** The introduction of novelty products like donut-shaped goat cheese can differentiate brands in a competitive market. - **Gourmet Foods:** Gourmet food sectors can capitalize on the appeal of visually unique and flavor-intense products such as the 'Hooper' cheese. - **Specialty Grocery Stores:** Stocking innovative products like brined, soft-ripened cheeses can attract food enthusiasts seeking premium and artisanal dairy items. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dessert-Inspired Goat Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vermont-creamery-strawberry-spritz.md) - [Chocolate Cherry Goat Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-and-cherry-goat-cheese.md) - [Sweet Smoky Goat Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maple-chipotle-goat-cheese.md) - [Coffee-Donut Goat Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cold-brew-donuts-goat-cheese.md) - [Sangria-Flavored Goat Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/montchevre.md) - [Wine-Soaked Goat Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-drunken-goat.md) - [Truffle Goat Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/truffle-goat-cheese.md) - [Consumer-Driven Flavored Goat Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laclare-creamery.md) - [Locally-Sourced Goat Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/table-one.md)