Organic Valley Frequently Asked Questions

Cream Cheese FAQ

What types of organic cream cheese does Organic Valley produce?

Organic Valley produces full-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat Neufchatel cream cheese. Both are available in 8oz bars and 8oz tubs.

What is the difference between the bars and the tubs?

Cream cheese bars are firm—excellent for all baking applications. Tubs of cream cheese are formulated to be soft and easy to spread.

How do you make cream cheese spread (tubs)?

Organic Valley adds organic lactose (natural milk sugar) to the cream cheese, softening it for easy spreading.

Does adding milk sugar in the tubs affect the carbohydrate level?

No, the amount of lactose added to the tubs is small. It does not appreciably increase the sugars present so the carbohydrate level is not affected.

How much fat is in the full-fat and low-fat (Neufchatel) cream cheeses?

The full fat cream cheese contains 9 grams of fat per 1oz serving. The Neufchatel (reduced-fat) cheese contains 30% less fat, or 6 grams per 1oz serving.

Is Organic Valley Cream Cheese "cultured"?

Yes. Organic Valley Cream Cheese is cultured instead of acidified. These are methods of forming milk into cheese. The "culturing" method used by Organic Valley yields a superior product. First, a bacterial culture is added to warmed, organic milk. The active culture converts lactose into lactic acid, which causes cheese to form. "Culturing" cream cheese results in a premium quality cheese with finer flavor and consistency.

What is "carob bean gum", and why do you add it to the cream cheese?

Carob bean gum is a natural stabilizer and we add it to prevent the cream cheese from separating into liquid and solid components. It is harvested from Carob trees. Carob trees develop broad, green bean pods that turn dark, glossy brown with maturity. The pods bear seeds the size of watermelon seeds. Each pod contains up to 15 seeds. Carob bean, seeds and pods are edible. The ground seeds are substituted for cocoa and as a food.

What wrapping is used for the cream cheese bars?

Organic Valley cream cheese bars are wrapped in food grade aluminum foil.

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