MILWAUKEE — As American consumers continue to expand their taste horizons, demand for Spanish and Latin American cheeses at retail is surging.

Saputo USA’s latest upgrade to its roster of Latin American cheeses includes a packaging refresh for its El Cortijo line, as well as new products, said Philip Forbes-Pryer, director category management, imported cheese.

Features of the new packaging include:

• Consistent composition look and feel across all SKUs

• Color coded SKUs to differentiate flavors and product types

• Clearer callout to cheese age

• Enhanced imagery and illustrations to speak to Spanish heritage

That’s not all that’s new with El Cortijo, Forbes-Pryer added. The line has two new flavors: Dorado and Sheep Cheese with Olive Oil.

Dorado is made from a 50/50 blend of sheep and cow’s milk, and by using a selection of exclusive lactic cultures, matured for more than six months. That yields an authentically sweet, complex flavor profile and smooth texture, he said.

“It’s a delightful offering for blended milk cheese lovers.”

Sheep Cheese with Olive oil is made from fresh milk that’s sourced from the rich regions of Castilla La Mancha and the Mounts of Toledo, which delivers rich and characteristic flavors. The cheese is then covered in what Forbes-Pryer calls a “delicate and beautiful” olive oil, creating “an exquisite delicacy to the palate.”

Demand for Spanish cheeses on the rise, Forbes-Pryer said, citing InLac data which shows that Spanish revenues are expected to grow by 5.8% in 2024.

That’s not a surprise, he added, given the long list of positives associated with Spanish and Latin American cheeses.

“Spanish cheeses are known for their variety, flavors, textures and production methods. These unique attributes derive from Spain’s diverse landscapes and climates, in addition to each region’s culinary traditions and cheese-making heritage,” Forbes-Pryer said.

Consumers like the diversity of Spanish cheeses, he added, noting the products are ideal options for charcuterie and cheese boards, sandwiches, salads, toppers and many more applications.