As American consumers continue to expand their taste horizons, demand for Spanish and Latin American cheeses at retail is surging.

Saputo USA’s latest upgrade to its roster of Latin American cheeses is a packaging refresh of its El Cortijo line, said Philip Forbes-Pryer, director category management — imported cheese.

Features of the new packaging include:

  • Consistent composition look and feel across all SKUs to bring consistency to the portfolio
  • Color coded SKUs to differentiate flavors and product types
  • Clearer callout to cheese age
  • Enhanced imagery and illustrations to speak to Spanish heritage

That’s not all that’s new with El Cortijo, Forbes-Pryer said. The line has two new flavors: Dorado and Sheep Cheese with Olive Oil.

Dorado is made from a 50/50 blend of sheep and cow’s milk and by using a selection of exclusive lactic cultures and matured for more than six months. That yields an authentically sweet, complex flavor profile and smooth texture, he said.

“It’s a delightful offering for blended milk cheese lovers.”

Sheep Cheese with Olive oil is made from fresh milk that’s sourced from the rich regions of Castilla La Mancha and the Mounts of Toledo, which delivers rich and characteristic flavors. The cheese is then covered in what Forbes-Pryer calls a “delicate and beautiful” olive oil, creating “an exquisite delicacy to the palate.”

Demand for Spanish cheeses on the rise, Forbes-Pryer said, citing Interprofessional Dair Organization data which shows that Spanish revenues are expected to grow by 5.8% in 2024.

That’s not a surprise, he added, given Spanish and Latin American cheeses’ long list of positives.

“Spanish cheeses are known for their variety, flavors, textures, and production methods. These unique attributes derive from Spain’s diverse landscapes and climates, in addition to each region’s culinary traditions and cheese-making heritage.”

Consumers like the diversity of Spanish cheeses, he added. And they’re ideal options for charcuterie and cheese boards, sandwiches, salads, toppers, and many more applications.