CATEGORY

Sliced Swiss

2009 CHEFSBEST® AWARD FOR BEST TASTE WINNER

Sargento

What Makes a Great Sliced Swiss Cheese?

Whether you're partial to the classic taste of regular Swiss cheese or the richer flavor of aged Swiss, the mild flavor, propensity for quick melting, and versatility of this longtime favorite make it a must-have. Add a slice or two of Swiss cheese to your favorite sandwich or grilled burger, or simply enjoy it on its own — or with fruit — as an afternoon or evening snack.

The best Swiss cheese will be moderately moist, with an inviting yellow-white hue and, of course, its plentiful signature holes.

Great Swiss cheese will offer a moderate overall aroma intensity. Its aroma's defining notes will be dairy, lactic tang, butter, grassiness, and fermentation, and once tasted, each of these will transition smoothly into the cheese's flavor profile.

Low to moderate saltiness will be the most evident basic taste in a great Swiss cheese, with sourness and bitterness both following at low levels. Sweetness will be slight.

Look for a more pronounced flavor intensity in aged Swiss cheese, compared to the more moderate flavor intensity of regular Swiss cheese. Another difference to look for between the two types: The texture of aged Swiss will be less creamy than that of regular Swiss. However, neither type should be mealy, and the best kinds of each will feel uniquely rich and tender in your mouth.

We know what makes a great sliced Swiss cheese, but what makes a bad one?

The basic tastes of poorly performing brands of Swiss cheese were prominently out of balance, with sourness and bitterness both proving too powerful. Dryness and mealiness were other negative issues that cropped up during this tasting session, as were notes of sour milk in certain cheeses' overall aroma and flavor.

Why is Sargento the best sliced Swiss cheese?

Sargento's Swiss cheese boasted nicely rounded flavors and delectable creaminess, helping it outshine other brands that didn't seem to have enough moisture. Both its regular Swiss and aged Swiss cheeses were pleasantly low on bitterness and sourness, and each paired well with butter crackers.

This judging was for sliced Swiss cheese, not including chunk, shredded, or grated Swiss cheese products.

Other Leading Brands:

Kraft