Frederic Melton
The Laughing Cow cheese is a blend of cream, milk, and fresh and aged cheeses, including cheddar, gouda, edam, emmental, comté, and swiss cheese. The cheese is pasteurized to stop the ripening process, which also makes it versatile and gives it a long shelf life. The cheese is heated to a temperature higher than 100 °C (212 °F), which melts and combines the ingredients, giving the cheese its signature creamy texture and fresh taste. The Laughing Cow cheese is available in various flavors, including original, light, and ultra-light, as well as flavored versions such as ham, gruyère, garlic, paprika, and mushroom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Cream, milk, and fresh and aged cheeses, particularly comté, cheddar, gouda, edam, emmental, and comté |
| Other ingredients | Milk powder, butter, water, whey, milk protein concentrate, sodium polyphosphate, tricalcium phosphate, citric acid, milk fat, salt |
| Texture | Soft and creamy |
| Flavors | Original, light, ultra-light, ham, gruyère, garlic, paprika, mushroom, chèvre, bleu, hazelnut, pizza, jalapeño, onion, cream cheese, queso fresco chipotle |
| Calories | 30-35 calories per wedge |
| Fat | 1.5-2.5 g per wedge |
| Saturated fat | 1.0 g per wedge |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g per wedge |
| Sugar | 0 g per wedge |
| Protein | 2 g per wedge |
| Fiber | 0 g per wedge |
| Sodium | 180-125 mg per wedge |
| Storage | Should be kept refrigerated and not frozen |
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The cheese blend
The Laughing Cow is a blend of specially selected cheeses and milk products. The cheese is made by bringing these cheeses and milk products to a temperature higher than 100 °C (212 °F). They melt and combine to give The Laughing Cow its creamy texture and fresh taste. The cheese blend includes a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, gouda, edam, emmental, and comté, melted and blended in a way similar to a cheese fondue. The cheese is then poured into triangular wedges, packaged, and cooled.
The Laughing Cow cheese spread is made without the use of any enzymes or animal products other than milk or its derivatives. The cheese is pasteurized to stop the ripening process, which also gives it a longer shelf life compared to regular cheese. The cheese is also enriched with vitamins A and D to improve its nutritional profile.
The original creamy snack cheese wedges are individually wrapped and come in boxes of 8 or 16. The cheese is perfect as a quick snack and can be spread on a variety of foods, such as crackers, toast, bagels, or even apple wedges. The cheese is also versatile in recipes, such as being used to make an 'alfredo' sauce or added to shrimp and grits.
The Laughing Cow also offers a light version of their cheese wedges, which has 7% fat, and an ultra-light version with 3% fat. Additionally, flavored versions of the cheese are available in various markets worldwide, including ham, gruyère, garlic, paprika, mushroom, chèvre, bleu, hazelnut, pizza, jalapeño, and onion.
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Milk products
The Laughing Cow cheese is a blend of milk products, including cream, milk, and fresh and aged cheeses, such as comté, cheddar, gouda, edam, and emmental. The cheese is pasteurized to halt the ripening process, ensuring its versatility and longevity. The process involves heating the cheese blend to a temperature above 100°C (212°F), melting the cheeses and blending them in a manner akin to preparing a cheese fondue. This mixture is then poured into triangular wedges, packaged, and cooled. The result is a soft, creamy, and spreadable cheese with a long shelf life.
The cheese is available in various flavors, including original, light, and ultra-light versions, as well as flavors like ham, gruyère, garlic, paprika, mushroom, chèvre, bleu, hazelnut, pizza, jalapeño, and onion. The Laughing Cow also offers slicing blocks with a harder consistency, cheese spreads for children, and bite-sized cheese cubes in different flavors, designed as appetizers for cocktail parties.
The brand's commitment to quality and consumer satisfaction is evident in their decision to reduce serving sizes to maintain high standards and enrich their products with Vitamins A and D. The cheese is a versatile snack and can be enjoyed on crackers, toast, sandwiches, bagels, or simply on its own.
The manufacturing process for The Laughing Cow cheese does not involve adding enzymes or animal rennet. Instead, microbial enzymes are used to create a product that contains only milk and its derivatives, ensuring a pure and natural experience for cheese enthusiasts.
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Pasteurisation
The Laughing Cow cheese is made by blending a variety of cheeses and milk products, including cream, milk, and fresh and aged cheeses such as Comté, Cheddar, Gouda, Edam, and Emmental. This blend is then heated to a temperature above 100°C (212°F), causing the cheeses to melt and combine, resulting in the characteristic creamy texture and fresh taste of The Laughing Cow cheese. This process of heating the cheese blend to a high temperature is known as pasteurization.
Pasteurization is a critical step in the production of The Laughing Cow cheese, as it serves the essential function of halting the ripening process of the cheese. By applying heat to the cheese blend, the pasteurization process effectively sterilizes the mixture, eliminating any microorganisms that could contribute to the maturation of the cheese. This sterilization ensures that the cheese remains in a stable state, preserving its desired texture, flavour, and freshness.
The process of pasteurization in cheese-making was pioneered by French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur in the 19th century. Pasteur's groundbreaking discovery revealed that heating wine, beer, and milk to elevated temperatures between 50-100°C (122-212°F) could effectively destroy harmful bacteria and prevent spoilage. This technique, now known as pasteurization, revolutionized the dairy industry, ensuring safer and more durable dairy products.
In the context of The Laughing Cow cheese production, pasteurization plays a pivotal role in achieving the desired consistency and prolonging the shelf life of the product. By subjecting the cheese blend to temperatures exceeding 100°C, the pasteurization process effectively inactivates enzymes and microorganisms that could otherwise cause the cheese to continue ripening and spoiling. This heat treatment interrupts the natural aging process of the cheese, allowing The Laughing Cow to maintain its signature soft, spreadable texture and prolong its freshness for consumer enjoyment.
The pasteurization process is meticulously controlled to ensure that the cheese blend reaches the required temperature without compromising the quality of the final product. While the specific details of the pasteurization technique employed by The Laughing Cow may be proprietary, it likely involves specialized equipment designed to heat the cheese blend uniformly and efficiently. This process is a key contributor to the unique characteristics and longevity of The Laughing Cow cheese products.
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Flavourings
The Laughing Cow cheese is made from a blend of several specially selected cheeses, including Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Edam, Emmental, and Comté. The cheese is pasteurized to stop the ripening process, and it is heated to a temperature higher than 100 °C (212 °F) to melt and combine the cheeses and milk products, giving it its signature creamy texture and fresh taste.
In addition to the base cheeses, flavourings are added to create a variety of flavours. The original flavour is available in its standard version, as well as light and ultra-light versions with reduced fat content. Flavoured versions of the cheese include ham, gruyère, garlic, paprika, mushroom, chèvre, bleu, hazelnut, pizza, jalapeño, onion, and cream cheese.
The specific flavourings added to each variety of The Laughing Cow cheese are not disclosed in detail, but the ingredients list provides some insight into the potential flavour contributors. These include:
- Pasteurized milk and part-skim milk
- Cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Whey
- Milk Protein Concentrate
- Butter
- Water
- Skim Milk
- Sodium Polyphosphate
- Tricalcium Phosphate
- Citric Acid
- Milk Fat
- Salt
These ingredients not only contribute to the flavour but also play a role in the texture, consistency, and preservation of the cheese.
The versatility of The Laughing Cow cheese allows it to be enjoyed in various ways, such as spreading it on crackers, cucumbers, bagels, or rice cakes, or using it in recipes like 'alfredo' sauce or shrimp and grits.
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Cheese selection
The Laughing Cow cheese is a blend of several different types of cheeses, including Cheddar, Gouda, Edam, Emmental, and Comté. The cheese is made by melting these selected cheeses and adding other milk ingredients, such as cream and butter, to create a soft and creamy texture. This process is similar to making a cheese fondue, which served as the inspiration for the cheese spread recipe. The cheese is then poured into triangular wedges, packaged, and cooled.
The original Laughing Cow cheese wedges are individually wrapped and come in round boxes. They are designed to be spreadable and can be enjoyed on crackers, toast, sandwiches, bagels, or simply on their own. The cheese has a fresh taste and a creamy texture, making it a versatile option for snacking or cooking.
In addition to the original flavour, Laughing Cow also offers a light version with 7% fat and an ultra-light version with 3% fat. For those who prefer flavoured cheese, there are options such as ham, gruyère, garlic, paprika, mushroom, chèvre, bleu, hazelnut, pizza, jalapeño, and onion. These flavoured varieties provide opportunities for creative pairings, such as spreading the cheese on cucumber slices or using it as a base for an 'alfredo' sauce.
The brand also offers a range of other cheese products, including slicing blocks with a harder consistency, cheese dips with breadsticks, cheese cubes designed as aperitifs, and pods of cheese spread intended for children. These diverse formats cater to different consumption occasions, from snacking to entertaining, ensuring that there is a Laughing Cow product for every taste and need.
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Frequently asked questions
Laughing Cow cheese is made from a blend of specially selected cheeses, including Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Edam, Emmental, and Comté. The cheeses are melted and blended in a way similar to a cheese fondue, and then poured into triangular wedges to create that signature creamy texture.
In addition to the blend of cheeses, Laughing Cow products also contain milk, cream, butter, and emulsifying salts. The cheese is pasteurized to stop the ripening process and allow for a longer shelf life.
No, Laughing Cow cheese does not contain any animal products other than milk or its derivatives. The cheese is made without the use of animal rennet or any other enzymes.
