To meet consumer demand for bold, adventurous flavors, Emmi Roth USA introduced two new flavored cheese varieties in the Roth Wisconsin range: Chipotle Havarti and 3 Chile Pepper Gouda made with jalapeño, chipotle, and habanero. These spicy specialties round out “the Fiery Five,” an assortment of boldly-flavored Roth cheeses, which includes Horseradish Havarti, Jalapeño Havarti, and Peppadew Havarti.

Retail sales data and menu trend analysis indicate that consumers are branching out to explore a host of hot peppers and distinctive flavors in their in- and out-of-home dining experiences. Growth in flavored cheese at retail has exceeded growth in total exact weight cheese for 2012 versus 2011 (2.3 percent growth for flavored versus -0.3 percent decline for total) and for the first half of 2013 versus the same period in 2012 (1.7 percent growth for flavored versus 0.5 percent for total cheese), with habanero, chipotle, and jalapeño posting stronger growth in both 2012 and 2013 than flavored cheese overall, according to Information Resources Inc.

Flavor trends on restaurant menus from Technomic’s Menu Monitor database also indicate consumer interest in bold and distinctive flavors across key categories on the menu, particularly within burgers and sandwiches, where flavors like jalapeño, chili, and chipotle serve to spice up familiar fare. Appetizer items featuring jalapeños have seen a 31 percent increase in the second quarter of 2013 compared to a year earlier, and entrées with jalapeños show similar growth with a 29 percent increase. Chipotle is also on the rise, particularly in entrées, where items flavored with this smoky pepper have increased 16 percent in the last year.

“We always strive to provide on-trend cheese solutions for the foodservice trade. As consumers continue to seek out bold flavors, the Roth Fiery Five offer surefire ways to distinguish menus and delight diners with the heat they crave,” says Steve Millard, president and CEO of Emmi Roth USA.

The Roth Fiery Five offer five ways to add to the tab with specialty cheese and include the new Chipotle Havarti, the new 3 Chile Pepper Gouda, Horseradish Havarti, Jalapeño Havarti, and Peppadew Havarti

The Havarti varieties are available in a nine-pound loaf format, while the 3 Chili Pepper Gouda is available in a six-pound loaf and 10-pound wheel. Retail cuts will be available in 2014.