Cottage cheese craze causes demand increase, with no sign of slowing
Blaikie says the cottage cheese craze is continuing to accelerate, driven by social media influencers.
Supermarkets are benefiting, with Woolworths NZ having a 50% increase in the quantity of cottage cheese sold across its stores during the past three months.
Foodstuffs says it has had an increase in cottage cheese sales in its supermarkets as well.
Compared to two years ago, the amount of cottage cheese being eaten by its customers in New Zealand has also risen by 50%.
The owner and organic cheese maker at the Cheese Barn in the Waikato region's Matatoki, Kelvin Haigh, agrees, saying he can't make enough of it.
Haigh says the young ones are liking the high protein, and sales have just 'whammo' – taken off.
He says the organic A2 milk he uses to make cottage cheese comes from Jersey cows in Matamata, and as it's nearly winter, less milk is being produced, so that limits how much cheese he can make.
He says they mainly sell to organic stores and this week received more orders than the quantity of cheese manufactured in the factory.
It's the same situation across the Tasman with a food processor saying it's very much 'on trend' because of the focus on low-fat, high-protein.
It became so popular that the Australian supermarket chain Coles was left with empty shelves.
That's compared to five years ago, when it was difficult to sell much cottage cheese at all, and those who did buy it were usually older people.
Brancourts in New South Wales specialises in making cottage cheese and has stepped up production at its plant to meet demand.
The company spokesperson, Julie Brancourt, says it was keeping an eye on social media trends to make sure its product was available.
'A surge in demand, driven by viral social media recipes and the growing trend for protein-packed and healthy food, has led to a significant cottage cheese shortage across Australia, the UK, and America.'
Another dairy company in Australia, Bulla, has also increased its output and even employed two new cottage cheese makers.
So, what's different about cottage cheese compared to other styles?
It isn't aged and is sold fresh, hence it has a shorter shelf life than other cheeses.
It is low in calories and described as a curdled milk product with a mild flavour and soupy texture.
The cheese is popular among people trying to lose weight and bodybuilders, thanks to its high protein.
Cottage cheese is used as an ingredient in a wide range of recipes, from smoothies and pancakes to cheesecakes and dips, as well as a spread on toast and crackers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
an hour ago
- NZ Herald
‘Whether they want us or not': Seabed mine boss calls Māori to work for him
The Australian company applying to mine the South Taranaki seabed wants iwi to jump on board and get to work keeping an eye on the environment. Iwi along the South Taranaki coast through to Whanganui oppose Trans-Tasman Resources' proposed mine just outside the 12 nautical mile (22.2km) limit off Pātea.
NZ Autocar
2 hours ago
- NZ Autocar
Mahindra preps next-gen Pik-Up
Mahindra has revealed its plans to launch an all-new generation of the Pik-Up, with a focus on bringing a competitive product Down Under. Codenamed Project Z121, the next-gen dual-cab one-tonner is built off the Global Pik Up concept first shown in 2023. It's expected to debut in production form in India later this year, with a launch in export markets like Australia and New Zealand targeted for 2026. This new Pik-Up promises to be a clean-slate redesign, underpinned by a heavily modified version of the ladder-frame chassis used in the new Thar Roxx SUV. Read more First Drive: Mahindra XUV 3XO Mahindra President of Automotive Technology and Product Development, Velusamy R, was reported as saying the new Pik-Up 'Is the number one dream program for us right now. We are putting a big focus on the pick-up truck… it has the most advanced ladder-frame… it is based on the Thar Roxx and that platform is the latest-generation – generation four,' when speaking with Australian media in India earlier in the month. Expect multiple bodystyles, including single and double cab variants, all engineered to meet European and Australian crash safety standards. That means the new Pik-Up will include features like autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, trailer-sway control, driver-attention alert and multiple airbags. Power will likely come from a version of Mahindra's 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, mated to six-speed auto. Rear-drive and switchable 4×4 drivelines will be offered. Hybrid variants may follow further down the line, with Mahindra already exploring electrified options. One likely option includes a 1.5-litre petrol engine acting as a range extender for an electric drivetrain which is a setup being developed for future Mahindra SUVs. Mahindra's Head of International Operations, Sachin Arolkar, confirmed that the vehicle has been developed with extensive input from Australian stakeholders. 'Our product planning team was in Australia to get the right inputs… that's the change,' he said. 'Now, starting with Z121, we are developing vehicles purely for international markets.' Arolkar noted that while some components may be sourced externally, the engineering and development remain in-house and tailored for real-world reliability.
Scoop
4 hours ago
- Scoop
New Analysis Details Government Annual Gift Of $119m To Multinational Gambling Company
Greyhound Racing New Zealand has released new analysis detailing the extent to which the Government is financially supporting a multinational gambling giant. It comes as the Government is expected this week to pass the Racing Industry Amendment Bill into law, creating a digital monopoly on gambling for Entain. The analysis, prepared by an independent consultant, details the financial help required for Entain to meet its funding guarantee of $150m per year to the racing industry. The funding guarantee, combined with a guarantee to retain approximately 450 TAB staff until June 2025, were set under the terms of the agreement when the TAB's betting business was outsourced to Entain in 2023. The analysis estimates in dollar terms the value of the Government's support to bail out Entain so it can limit its losses in meeting the terms of its deal until 2029. The passage of legislation to block New Zealanders from gambling offshore will boost Entain annual revenues by at least $75m per year. The retention of gambling on Australian greyhounds after the ban comes into effect, will preserve Entain gross betting revenues of approximately $44m per year. Without these actions by the Government, Entain would be faced with an estimated revenue deficit of $26m per year. Greyhound Racing New Zealand CEO Edward Renell said: 'The Government has chosen to bail out a multinational gambling company at the expense of ordinary Kiwis. 'It will shamelessly pass laws and create digital monopolies so Entain can meet its funding guarantees and obligations to private shareholders. 'Entain won't need to compete to win new revenue as it was brought in to do. It will be gifted it by banning Kiwis from using non-Entain betting providers and retaining gambling on Australian greyhound racing. 'The decision to keep taking money from Australian greyhound races, but strip thousands of regional Kiwis of their livelihoods and passion, is depressingly cynical and hypocritical. 'Gross income of $44 million dollars each year will now be sliced up between the Government, Entain and the equine codes and not go to the thousands of trainers, owners, and breeders involved in greyhound racing. 'It's a reverse Robin Hood. The Government is taking money from the provinces to save face on a bad deal and keep the money flowing into Entain, thoroughbred and harness racing.' Notes: Timeline of Entain – TAB deal: March 2023: TAB and Entain agreed to enter a strategic partnership agreement where TAB has delegated its betting and wagering functions to Entain. May 2023: The partnership was approved by then Racing Minister Labour's Kieran McAnulty, outsourcing TAB's monopoly betting operation to Entain for 25 years, a UK-listed multinational. 50% revenue share between Entain and the TAB. May 2023: TAB sought a variation to its authorisation of its arrangements with Tabcorp to reflect strategic partnership with Entain. June 2023: The partnership officially started on June 1, 2023. Entain Guarantees under the terms of sale: Entain provided TAB $150 million upfront a with a guaranteed $150 million for the first five years. $10 million sponsorship for racing carnivals. On passage of the Racing Amendment bill into law: $100 million payment from Entain, $80 million to be shared between thoroughbred and harness racing Entain committed to no forced redundancies for first 24 months of the agreement, due to expire this month (June 2025). Book value of Entain's TAB licence assets, if the Racing Amendment legislation goes through: According to Entain's March 2025 annual report, the estimated value of the New Zealand TAB licence assets was $2.7 billion NZD, including the potential introduction of the legislation. About GRNZ Greyhound Racing New Zealand is the governing body for greyhound racing in New Zealand and provides governance, support and assistance to the affiliated clubs in the sport of greyhound racing. The decision to end greyhound racing has significant economic and social consequences. The sport provides 1,054 full-time equivalent jobs and contributed $159.2 million to the economy in FY23. The Government announced on 10 December 2024, an intention to legislate to ban greyhound racing in New Zealand from 31 July 2026. Visit for more information.
