Hot chilli cheese!

Wensleydale Dairy Products is launching Chantico – ’the cheese all others fear’ – after identifying a gap in a market currently worth over £6m and still growing.

Research figures show the Chilli cheese sector has grown by over 50% in the past 2 years.

The company’s master cheese makers, at its North Yorkshire Dales creamery, have blended a creamy cheddar cheese with red hot Jalapeno and sweet chilli peppers to produce a cheese that packs a real punch with a fiercely fiery taste.

Chantico, which has the fire of hot chilies but with overtones of sweetness, is aimed to appeal more to those who love spicy foods, snacks and curries. The spicy food sector in particular has seen growth over the past 5 years with the introduction of Chilli snacks and chutneys being at the forefront of the market.

The new cheese, named after the Aztec Goddess of Fire, is very versatile and has been created to turn everyday food into a taste bud-tingling experience. The versatility of Chantico means it can spice up any sandwich or burger and make hot stuff of jacket potatoes.

It also can be enjoyed traditionally with crackers, and grated or melted into tortillas a glass of cold beer or iced water will offset the heat of the chillies.

David Hartley, Wensleydale Dairy Products Managing Director, said: "Research reveals that the cheese sector at which Chantico is targeted has grown by around 54 per cent during the last two years, which clearly demonstrates that there is a consumer appetite for spicy cheeses.

"Chantico has a much more fiery taste than the current main player and we, therefore, believe it is perfectly placed to capitalise on and make substantial inroads into this developing market."

Chantico will be available in leading supermarkets and delicatessens from March. It will be available in two sizes a 180g wedge and a 1.1kg half moon with a recommended retail price of £7.15 per kilo.

Mr Hartley added: The coolest place in the kitchen is about to become the hottest as we unleash Chantico on the nation.

"Chantico, which is made with natural ingredients, is versatile and fun and, we believe, will appeal to the younger consumer market ranging from university students to young professionals.

"The question we now ask of British cheese addicts is ’dare you take a bite from the Goddess of Fire?’"