Natural Cheeses

Natural Cheeses encompass a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Muenster, and Swiss.

Natural Shreds

Available in fancy, feather or regular, shreds are very economical due to a long shelf life, less waste and typically when using shreds, operators use less cheese in menu items – so it goes much further. Perfect for salads, omelets, entrees and casseroles, Natural shreds are a great way to offer the high quality flavor profile your customers expect.

Features:

Cheddar products are expertly cured to develop a smooth, even-bodied cheese with outstanding eye appeal and consistent cheddar flavor
Monterey Jack offers a delicate taste with a soft texture for a unique bite
Swiss cheese, made with sweet dairy cream, offers a mellow, nutty flavor with a touch of sweetness and a distinctive look
Shredded products offer labor-saving convenience and cost-saving portion control

Menu Recommendations:

Blend cheese in casseroles, omelets and quiches for a distinguishing taste
Shredded products are great for salads and salad bar applications
Serve melted shredded cheese on top of french fries, baked potatoes, nacho chips and Mexican entrees
Add shreds to soups for increased flavor and new recipe ideas

Brands that offer Natural Shreds: Roma, West Creek, Northland Star

Natural Slices

Easy to use, Operators can typically charge an additional $0.75 to $1.25 for adding a slice of natural cheese to an entree (i.e. sandwich, burger, baked on top of a chicken breast). A standard slice of cheese is ¾ ounce and comes in 1.5 pound packages. Slices are ready to use, and are a great way to control portion cost.

Features:

Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Swiss are among the most commonly used natural cheeses, known primarily for their distinct flavors and widespread use
Cheddar has a rich, nutty flavor, Monterey Jack a delicate taste with a soft texture and Swiss offers a mellow, nutty flavor with a touch of sweetness and a distinctive look
Presliced products offer labor-saving convenience and cost-saving portion control

Menu Recommendations:

Use sliced products on cold or hot sandwiches for added appeal
Sliced cheeses can be used to create appetizing fresh fruit and vegetable trays
Natural slices can be used as an added nutrition benefit when compared to process or imitation slices
Various flavor profiles allow for creativity and unique menu items

Brands that offer Natural Cheese Slices: West Creek

Natural Blocks/Prints

West Creek proudly offers a selection of natural cheese blocks and prints to use for a variety of purposes. Natural cheeses are a great way to offer the high quality flavor profile your customers expect.

Features:

Cheddar possesses a rich, nutty flavor that becomes increasingly sharp with age; when young it has a smooth, firm texture that changes to more granular and crumbly over time
Cheddar is usually colored although it is also available in white
Monterey Jack tends to have a delicate, buttery, slightly tart flavor with a creamy texture
Swiss is a full-flavored, buttery, nutty cheese with characteristic holes; it is aged at least 60 days
Blocks and Prints are cost effective and offer operators versatility in use for shredding, slicing, dicing and more

Menu Recommendations:

Add Cheddar to cream-based soups or sauces for steamed vegetables and baked dishes
Monterey Jack adds flavor to pizzas, casseroles and sandwiches with a plain or flavored version
Cut Monterey Jack into sticks and serve with fruit or vegetables for kids for a healthy, energizing snack
Cheeses go well with apples, pears and grapes as well as adding flavor to ethnic dishes

Brands that offer Natural Cheese Blocks/Prints: West Creek