AS part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Lactos Australia has launched three new premium cheeses aimed at both the foodservice and retail markets.

At its launch in Hotel InterContinental Sydney recently, MC Gabriel Gate guided media through its tasting stations, showcasing its cheeses and their versatile applications.

To introduce blue cheese to consumers, Lactos launched the Australian Gold Long Life Creamy Blue, which has a mild, creamy and delicate blue flavour with a soft texture, more acceptable than the traditional blue cheeses.

“It’s a great introduction to cheese lovers who have not yet acquired the taste for blue cheeses,” said senior brand manager Nicole Tyquin.

With a 12-month shelf life, the product can be stored and used on demand unlike most blue cheese varieties available in the marketplace.

Another new product, the new Tasmanian Heritage Signature Brie is carefully matured to deliver a delicate earthy flavour and creamy texture with a soft but flavoursome rind.

Developed after two years of research and refinement, the cheese has already won numerous awards including Gold at the Dairy Industry Association of Australia, the Australian International Awards and the Royal Adelaide Show.

The third product, La Toque Whipping Cream, is designed to help chefs cope with busy pastry operations. Packaged in a convenient long-life Tetra Pak, it has a shelf life of six months and does not need refrigeration until opening.

Lactos is also building a new kitchen at its Victoria plant, to conduct chef demonstrations and product experiments.