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ROGUE CREAMERY Flora Nelle
MAKING CHEESE BY HAND AT A COMMERCIAL SCALE IS NO EASY FEAT, but Rogue Creamery has had remarkable success—and the company's latest sofi win is a testament to that. After being recognized for Outstanding New Product in 2005 and Outstanding Product Line the following year, Rogue Creamery continues to impress—this time in the USDA-Certified Organic Product category.
For owners Cary Bryant and David Gremmels, Flora Nelle is extra special because
it honors their grandmothers, Florence and Nelle. Flora Nelle is the creamery's only blue cheese made with pasteurized cow's milk. "We initially pasteurized it for the Australian market," says Chelsea Faris, wholesale sales director. "It's unique because the pasteurization process completely alters the blue cheese taste." The robust and piquant taste fares best with foods that contrast the cheese's creamy saltiness and bring out its subtle hints of blueberry. Rogue Creamery recommends serving Flora Nelle alongside port-soaked figs, in salads with toasted pecans or atop pizza with coppa and caramelized onions. Founded in 1933 and based in Central Point, Ore., the award-winning creamery has a deep connection to the surrounding land. Flore Nelle itself is made from naturally occurring molds found in the Rogue River Valley. The 5-pound wheels are aged in specially constructed caves, resulting in a savory yet sweet flavor profile. Each wheel is carefully wrapped to ensure appropriate levels of moisture that keeps Flora Nelle at the peak of perfection. Suggested retail price: $45/1.25 pounds. Contact: Francis Plowman, Rogue Creamery; 541.665.1155, ext. 123; wholesale@roguecreamery.com; roguecreamery.com.—A.M.
➊ LIVING TREE
COMMUNITY FOODS Alive Organic Pistachio Butter Contact: Elisa Elkind elisa@livingtreecommunity.com 510.526.7106 livingtreecommunity.com
S38 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE ❘ specialtyfood.com
➋ LOTUS FOODS Organic Volcano Rice™ Contact: Caryl Levine info@lotusfoods.com 510.525.3137, ext. 118 lotusfoods.com
FINALISTS
USDA-CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCT