Puhoi Exposes The Secret Life Of Cheese Lovers!

1 July 2002

The Puhoi Valley Cheese Company has exposed the secret life of cheese lovers in new research into the specialty cheese market.

The specialty cheese market which includes luxury styles such as Camembert, Brie, Parmesan and Feta is growing at up to 10% per year.

New research released to mark the opening of an extension to the Puhoi Valley Cheese factory, north of Auckland, lifts the lid on New Zealand’s cheese lovers.

As the New Zealand public becomes more discerning in their cheese choices, with 63% of New Zealand households having purchased a specialty cheese at some stage , Puhoi Valley Cheese Company, the leading boutique cheese manufacturer is extending its factory to cope with the increased demand. The extension to the cheese making facility, which was officially opened today, Monday 1st July 2002, will increase production from 700 to 1300 tonnes per year.

Research reveals the true cheese lover is most likely to be a 40-49 year old urban dweller, in full time employment with a household income of $50,000 or more. (see over page for NZ Cheese Lover Exposé.)

The most common variety of specialty cheese purchased in New Zealand is Camembert, followed by Brie, Parmesan and then Feta. But genuine cheese lovers are more likely to branch out into more sophisticated cheeses, with the research showing almost half of all cheese lovers buy lesser known styles such as Harvarti, Emmental, Ricotta, Quarg and Marscapone.

Corrie den Haring, General Manager, Puhoi Valley Cheese Company said, “It’s encouraging to see that just like with wine, New Zealanders are becoming more discerning in their taste for specialty cheeses, and appreciating the myriad of different taste sensations available. At Puhoi we are constantly striving to develop unique new tastes so it is great to see through this research that New Zealanders are keen to experiment.”

Puhoi Valley Cheese is a leading boutique cheese manufacturer producing Bouton d’or, Ornelle and Puhoi brands, under the supervision of French cheese maker Franck Beaurain.

The Bouton d’or range with leading Feta, Camembert and Brie cheeses and French style packaging is particularly favored by the ‘novice’ cheese buyers. Cheese connoisseurs tend to move towards the Ornelle range with its sophisticated range of Double Cream Brie, Camembert and St Claire cheeses. While the Puhoi brand caters for those wishing to choose from an extensive range of individually wrapped cheeses from the supermarket deli.

The Puhoi Valley Cheese Company was founded in 1983. The subtropical winterless climate produces the perfect conditions for creating award-winning cheeses. In the 2002 Cheese Awards Puhoi Valley Cheese scooped 14 medals including the coveted ‘New Zealand’s Favourite Cheese’ award for the Puhoi Camembert.

-ENDS-

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