Photo courtesy of Old Europe Cheese
Benton Harbor’s very own Old Europe Cheese has won the annual Michigan Cheese Competition for their Triple Creme Brie.
Sponsored by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan and Michigan State University Dairy Club, the winning cheese was selected from seven entries. The entries were judged on aroma, flavor, body and texture.
Old Europe Cheese has been operating in Benton Harbor under their parent brand Remy Picot since 1987. They are renowned for their specialty soft-ripened Brie and Camembert, as well as their semi-soft Gouda, Edam, Fantina and Mantoro cheeses.
The cheese competition is an opportunity for all Michigan cheese processors to have their best cheese compete against other cheese makers. The cheese is auctioned off at the Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-bration. The money raised provides scholarships for dairy students through the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund. Since 2000, the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund has been awarding annual scholarships to outstanding youth who exhibit at the Michigan State Fair, Michigan Livestock Expo and Michigan Dairy Expo. The fund is also responsible for supporting educational awards provided to youth livestock and dairy exhibitors each year.
Retired Michigan Dairy Survey Officer Patrick Heslip, MSU Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition Dairy Plant Food Safety Manager Gary Smith and MSU Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition Dairy Production Technician Josh Hall judged the competition. Foster Swift and the Michigan Milk Producers Association Management Team purchased the grand champion cheese for $3,500.
