Kamil Perry
Armstrong Cheese is a Canadian cheese manufacturer that was founded in 1902 by Canadian dairy farmers in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. The company produces a variety of cheeses, including natural and processed varieties, and has a strong focus on taste and quality. Their products are made using milk from Canadian farms, and they offer a range of convenient and nutritious cheese snacks that are high in protein and calcium. With a commitment to using fresh milk and promoting best practices in dairy animal care, Armstrong Cheese has established itself as an award-winning cheese maker in Canada. In this context, it is worth exploring whether Armstrong Cheese is a healthy option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Ingredients | Milk from Canadian farms, bacterial cultures, enzymes, calcium chloride, microbial enzyme, colour |
| Varieties | Cheddar, Havarti, mozzarella, other firm cheeses, processed cheese |
| Suitable for | Vegetarians, people with nut allergies |
| Not suitable for | Vegans |
| Nutritional value | High in protein and calcium, 80-90 calories per serving |
| Features | Individually wrapped, lactose-free (Swiss cheese) |
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What You'll Learn
Natural vs processed cheese
Natural cheese is made from natural and simple ingredients, including fresh milk, natural salts, natural colours, enzymes, and bacterial cultures. It does not contain any additives or preservatives and is only healthy when consumed in moderation. Natural cheese is also known as "real cheese" and is often marketed as a high-protein and "nutritious" snack. It tends to have a denser and slightly grainy texture, with a more complex and diverse flavour that varies based on the type and length of aging.
Processed cheese, on the other hand, is made by combining one or more natural cheeses with other ingredients such as milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milk fat, cheese culture, preservatives, and emulsifying salts. It undergoes additional processing steps, including heating and melting, which give it a softer and creamier texture. Processed cheese has a longer shelf life and a more consistent flavour. It is widely available and easier to store, as it can be kept at room temperature for extended periods.
The main distinction between natural and processed cheese lies in their ingredients and processing methods. Natural cheese is made from fresh milk with no additives or further processing after aging. It is more perishable and prone to deterioration, requiring refrigeration to maintain freshness. In contrast, processed cheese contains emulsifiers and other additives, resulting in a product that is more resistant to spoilage and has a longer shelf life.
The choice between natural and processed cheese ultimately depends on personal preference and needs. If health and flavour complexity are priorities, natural cheese is the preferred option. However, if convenience, texture, and a consistent flavour are more important factors, then processed cheese may be a better choice.
Armstrong Cheese, a Canadian company, offers a range of natural cheese products, including cheese snacks and sticks. Their natural cheeses are made from fresh Canadian milk, and they emphasize the importance of animal welfare and taste.
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Nutritional value
Armstrong Cheese is made from fresh Canadian milk and other dairy ingredients, such as bacterial cultures and enzymes. The company uses milk from Canadian farms and makes no compromise on taste and quality. Their natural cheeses are suitable for vegetarians as they use microbial enzymes from Rhizomucor miehei instead of animal rennet.
The company offers a range of individually wrapped cheese snacks, including cheese sticks and Nibblers. These snacks are a source of protein and calcium and are convenient for on-the-go consumption. Each cheese stick contains 80 calories and is available in various flavours, such as Marble Cheddar Cheese, Old Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, and Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapeno.
The Nibblers come in flavours like Sour Cream & Onion and Smokey Bacon. They have a firm, springy texture and are also high in protein. The Combos packs pair cheese sticks with meat sticks, such as mozzarella sticks with salami sticks or marble farmer's cheese sticks with smoked ham sausage sticks. These combos are a source of protein and calcium, with 90 calories or less per stick.
Armstrong Cheese also offers lactose-free Swiss cheese.
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Ingredients and allergens
Armstrong Cheese is manufactured in Canada, using milk from Canadian farms. The company was founded in 1902 by Canadian dairy farmers and has since become Canada's award-winning cheese maker.
The company offers a variety of high-quality products, including natural cheeses and processed cheeses. Natural cheeses are made by mixing milk and other dairy ingredients with bacterial cultures and enzymes to form curds and whey. Examples of natural cheeses include Cheddar, Havarti, mozzarella, and other firm cheeses.
Processed cheeses take this process a step further by combining one or more natural cheeses with other ingredients and adding a cooking process. This allows for different flavours and textures, making them ideal for melting and spreading.
Armstrong Cheese's products include cheese sticks and real cheese snacks, which are made from natural cheese and are a source of protein and calcium. The cheese sticks come in various flavours, such as Marble Cheddar Cheese, Old Cheddar Cheese, Smoked Flavoured Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapeño, Garden Herbs Cheddar Cheese, and Swirls.
The specific ingredients in Armstrong Cheese products may vary depending on the type of cheese. However, as an example, the ingredients in their Marble Cheddar Cheese Sticks include pasteurized milk, modified milk ingredients, salt, bacterial culture, calcium chloride, microbial enzyme, and colour.
It is important to note that most of Armstrong's cheeses are vegetarian-friendly due to their use of microbial enzymes from Rhizomucor miehei. However, some products may not be suitable for vegetarians, such as their Combos Processed Cheese and any cheese that mentions meat, lipase, or rennet in the ingredient list.
Additionally, Armstrong Swiss cheese is lactose-free, and none of their products contain peanuts or nuts.
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Taste and quality
The result is an award-winning range of cheeses, including Cheddar, Havarti, Mozzarella, and other firm varieties, that are renowned for their quality and taste. The classic Cheddar cheese, in particular, has become a natural choice for cheese lovers, available in a variety of flavours.
Armstrong Cheese also offers convenient and nutritious cheese snacks, which are a good source of protein and calcium. These snacks, including cheese sticks and Nibblers, come in various flavours such as Marble Cheddar, Old Cheddar, and Mozzarella, each with its distinct taste and texture. The Marble Cheddar Cheese sticks, for instance, offer a delicious blend of orange and white Cheddar, while the Old Cheddar Cheese sticks have a firm, springy texture. The Mozzarella Real Cheese Snacks are stringy and fun, while the Nibblers Sour Cream & Onion Natural Cheese Snacks offer a burst of flavour with a firm, springy bite.
The company's commitment to taste and quality is also evident in its lactose-free Swiss cheese and vegetarian-friendly options, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their products without compromising on flavour or standards.
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History of the brand
The history of Armstrong Cheese dates back to the early 1900s when adventurers and railway men were drawn to the beauty of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. This led to the establishment of the Town of Armstrong, B.C. in 1902 by Canadian dairy farmers. The region's first creamery was founded, and soon cheese artisans created the Armstrong Cheese company, with a mission to craft exquisite quality Cheddar cheeses.
The creamery changed hands a few times over the years, facing challenges like a devastating fire in 1927. However, in 1938, a new cheese factory was opened under Charles Busby's guidance, leading to the incorporation of the Armstrong Cheese Co-Operative in 1939. Armstrong Cheese quickly gained renown, with sales of 820,000 pounds of cheese per year by 1943.
In 1997, Armstrong Cheese, then an independent cheese maker in Armstrong, British Columbia, was acquired by Dairyworld Foods, which was later bought by Saputo Inc. in 2001. Saputo Inc. is a Canadian dairy company founded in 1954 by the Saputo family, known for its wide array of dairy products, including cheese and fluid milk. Despite changes in ownership, Armstrong Cheese has stood the test of time, continuing to offer high-quality, natural cheese products to Canadian families.
Today, Armstrong Cheese remains a beloved brand in Canada, known for its commitment to taste and quality. The brand has become synonymous with classic Cheddar cheese, offering a variety of flavours to delight cheese connoisseurs. While the cheese is no longer produced in Armstrong, the Village Cheese Company, which opened in 1998, keeps the tradition of quality cheese-making alive in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Armstrong Cheese is made from natural ingredients, including fresh Canadian milk from Canadian farms. The cheese is a source of calcium and protein and is high in quality.
The ingredients in Armstrong Cheese vary depending on the type of cheese. For example, Marble Cheddar Cheese sticks contain pasteurized milk, modified milk ingredients, salt, bacterial culture, calcium chloride, and microbial enzyme.
None of the Armstrong Cheese products contain peanuts or nuts. However, some of their products are not vegetarian-friendly. These include their Combos Processed Cheese and any cheese that mentions meat, lipase, or rennet in the ingredient list.
If there is mould on your Armstrong Cheese, or if the rind is dry and yellowed, it should be discarded.
