In the Press

NEW Press Release

The Mexican style part-skim milk mozzarella cheese comes tied in a knot and is perfect for cooking

Waterloo, Wis. – April 8, 2021 – Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese delivers a taste of Mexico this Cinco de Mayo with its handmade, farm fresh and authentic Oaxaca cheese. The traditional, semi-hard artisan cheese is made by stretching Mozzarella into long ribbons that are wound into a knot and is the only Oaxaca cheese produced, sustainably, in the state of Wisconsin. Oaxaca cheese originated in Italy but was brought to Mexico by Dominican friars who settled in the state of Oaxaca.

Oaxaca is a Mexican name for semi-soft, white and string-like Hispanic-style cheese that is made from pasteurized cow’s milk. It has a savory, mellow buttery flavor and is a superb melting cheese. This makes it the ideal stuffing for enchiladas, poblano peppers and quesadillas. The cheese can also be shredded and used as a garnish on beans, tacos, tostadas and soups.

Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese sells 8 oz., 10 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz., 3 lb. and 5 lb. portions of Oaxaca cheese, also known as Farmer’s Rope, via its online store and at retailers throughout the U.S. including Whole Foods and H-E-B. The third-generation farmers have been handmaking Oaxaca cheese since 2000. In addition to Oaxaca/Farmer’s rope, cheese lovers can enjoy their Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Cheddar Cheese Curds and Mascarpone.

Sweet creamy mascarpone and chocolate mascarpone, one of Crave Brothers’ most popular premium cheeses, makes for a luxurious and velvety dessert as well as the perfect pairing with fruit. Purchase mascarpone individually and in gift boxes online and at retailers throughout the U.S. including Whole Foods.

Here are three delicious recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo using Crave’s Oaxaca and Mascarpone cheese:

• Zacatecas style red enchiladas

• Chicken Stuffed with Ham and Oaxaca cheese

• Margarita Pie with mascarpone cheese.

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2019 Press Releases

Go Green on St. Patrick’s Day with Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese

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Waterloo, WI, February 12, 2019— For many of us, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations wouldn’t be the same without something green, so remember that Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese is sustainably produced, using 100 percent green power. This year you can go green and update your traditional St. Patrick’s Day fare with a new recipe for Reuben Stuffed Shells With Mascarpone Cream Saucefrom Crave Brothers Cheese.

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           The recipe features corned beef—a traditional ingredient in Irish-American fare—and Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics Mascarpone Cheese.  Corned beef and cabbage are a tradition at American St. Patrick’s day celebrations, because early Irish immigrants here substituted less expensive corned beef for the bacon or salt pork they ate at home. Today, corned beef and cabbage also collaborate to create the beer-compatible Reuben sandwich. That classic is made with corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese and Thousand Island dressing.

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            Traditional Irish cuisine included ingredients such as dairy products, cabbage and brown bread. Meat eating tended toward small amounts of bacon or salted pork, rather than beef, because of the importance of cows in producing milk, butter and cheese. In keeping with that tradition, Crave Brothers Cheese offers a party-worthy pasta recipe that builds on the dairy product tradition, as well as the flavors and ingredients of the Reuben.

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            Reuben Stuffed Shells with Mascarpone Cream Sauce feature jumbo pasta shells filled with corned beef, sauerkraut and shredded Swiss cheese. The stuffed shells are bathed in a Mascarpone Cream Sauce before baking. The sauce is made with 8 ounces each of Crave Brothers Mascarpone Cheese and Thousand Island dressing, plus a dollop of melted butter. Just before serving, sprinkle rye bread croutons on top of the shells.

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           Crave Brothers Mascarpone is a sweet, creamy cheese that has won more than 27 prestigious awards since its introduction, including a First Place Award at the 2018 World Dairy Expo Dairy Products Contest.  Licensed cheese maker George Crave oversees the making of all the Crave Brothers handcrafted artisan cheeses, made with milk from the family’s own dairy herd.

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             Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese is sustainably produced in the family’s farmstead cheese-making facility that practices water conservation, recycling, and uses 100 percent green power. The anaerobic biodigester produces enough electricity to power the Crave Brothers Farm, the farmstead cheese-making plant, and over 300 homes in their community. 

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            For details about the recipe for Reuben Stuffed Shells with Mascarpone Cream Sauce, visit the website at www.cravecheese.com. You’ll also find other recipes suitable for St. Patrick’s Day parties. Don’t forget to check out the product information about the award-winning line of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, and videos highlighting the Crave Brothers green story.

            The Crave family farms 2,500 acres of productive land in south-central Wisconsin, growing soybeans, corn and alfalfa to use as nutritious feed for their Holstein cows. From the biodigester to water recovery and recycling, sustainability is top-of-mind on the farm. The Crave Brothers Farm LLC and Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese LLC use 100% green power and are carbon-negative businesses. Their anaerobic biodigester produces more electricity than they need, enough to power the dairy farm, the farmstead cheese-making plant, and over 300 homes in their community.

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            Every pound of cheese made by George Crave, a licensed cheese maker, is made with milk from the family’s herd. Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese produces Fresh Mozzarella, Mascarpone, Part-skim Mozzarella, Oaxaca, Farmer’s Rope String Cheese, and Fresh Cheddar Cheese Curds in white, yellow and jalapeño varieties.

Crave Brothers Cheese Wins Two New U.S. Cheese Championship First Place Awards:

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Waterloo, WI, March 6, 2019—Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese has continued its tradition of excellence, winning five awards at the 2019 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. Crave Brothers Cheese received two Gold Awards (Best of Class/First Place) for Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Medallions and Crave Brothers Part-Skim One-Pound Mozzarella Balls. In addition, Crave Brothers Cheese won three Silver (Second Place) Awards for Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine,Crave Brothers Oaxaca, andCrave Brothers White Cheddar Cheese Curds.The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest was held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, March 5, 6 and 7, with cheese makers from 35 states competing for awards.

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            For the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the three entries with the highest scores in each competing class of cheese. Skilled technical judges from across the nation evaluate the attributes of every cheese entered in each category, including its flavor, body, texture, salt, color, finish, and packaging. With 100 points being the highest possible score, judges deduct points for defects. Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella won Best of Class/First Place with 99.30 points for its Fresh Mozzarella Medallians and Best of Class/First Place with 98 points for its Part Skim One-Pound Mozzarella Ball. In addition, Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine (cherry size balls) won Second Place with 99.25 points.

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            Crave Brothers Oaxacaand Crave Brothers White Cheddar Cheese Curds also took Second Place Awards.  Oaxaca is a traditional style of cheese prized for its excellent melting properties. It is ideal for sandwiches, wraps, quesadillas, dips and a variety of baked recipes. Crave Brothers White Cheddar Cheese Curds are a fresh snack cheese with a mild, salty flavor that complements ciders, beer and fruit juices. They can also be added to bowls of chili. Crave Brothers Cheddar Cheese Curds are available in White Cheddar, Yellow Cheddar and Jalapeño Cheddar varieties.         

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            Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarellais a handcrafted artisan cheese, offering a fresh, milky flavor that enhances meats, vegetables, casseroles and pizzas. Fresh Mozzarella is available in a wide variety of forms that make it easy to add to everything from salads and appetizers to pasta and sandwiches. Choose from the newest introduction—Crave Brothers One-Pound Sliced Fresh Mozzarella Logs— or Fresh Mozzarella Medallions, one-pound logs, one-pound balls and eight-ounce balls. In addition, small Fresh Mozzarella balls come in four sizes, ranging from pearl size to egg size, and Marinated Fresh Mozzarella—ciliegine size.        

            Several factors set Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese apart. Licensed cheese maker George Crave oversees the making of all the Crave Brothers handcrafted artisan cheeses, made with milk from the family’s own dairy herd.  Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese is sustainably produced in the family’s farmstead cheese-making facility that practices water conservation, recycling, and uses 100 percent green power. Their anaerobic biodigester produces enough electricity to power the Crave Brothers Farm, the farmstead cheese-making plant, and over 300 homes in their community. 

Now you can Spend a Manitowoc Minute with Crave Brothers Farm

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Waterloo, WI, June 3, 2019— This June, comedian and Manitowoc Minute host Charlie Berens is celebration National Dairy Month with an exclusive visit to Crave Brothers Farm LLC in Waterloo. In a partnership between Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and Manitowoc Minute, Berens is creating shareable digital and social media content during National Dairy Month that celebrates Wisconsin’s dairy heritage and highlights the statewide celebration of the state’s signature industry. Berens’ weekly news segment covers a range of topics in Wisconsin and nationwide, with a special visit featuring the Crave brothers that is available to watch on June 4.

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            Milk from the Crave family’s own dairy herd helps produce the line of award-winning Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, overseen by licensed cheese maker George Crave. Both the company’s sustainable agriculture practices and award-winning handcrafted artisan cheeses are nationally acclaimed.

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            In Berens’ video, he shows viewers around the Crave Brothers Farm and the Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese factory. From the fields and the feed to the calves and the cows, Berens learns and teaches his fans what it takes to make award-winning cheese. Roseanne Crave says, “I loved working with Charlie because he could take important dairy industry information and put his own humorous twist on it.” As for the host’s lighthearted touch, she says,  “We all loved when he took his slogan ‘Keep Er Movin’ and changed it to ‘Keep Er Mooin’ after playing with one of our calves.” 

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            You can catch his visit at manitowocminute.com on June 4 as he meets new friends on the farm. Learn more about Crave Brothers Farm LLC and Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, including product information, recipe ideas, and videos highlighting the Crave Brothers green story at www.cravecheese.com.

Sweet Ideas for a Dessert Cheese Board for Summer Entertaining with Crave Cheese

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Waterloo, WI, June 5, 2019— For a perfect ending to summer outdoor concerts, picnics or poolside gatherings, assemble a dessert cheese board featuring creative presentations of fresh berries and Crave Brothers Farmstead Fresh Mozzarella and Mascarpone. When you offer an appetizing array of desserts, guests are encouraged to serve themselves

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            The fresh flavors of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese complement just about every dessert combination, ranging from light seasonal fruits to slightly sweet biscotti or rich chocolate offerings. Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese is handcrafted on the Crave Brothers’ dairy farm. Here are a few crowd-pleasing easy  dessert cheese board ideas that won’t complicate your life this summer.

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            Berry Kabobs with Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella are served on skewers. To assemble the dessert, all you need are fresh blackberries and strawberries, a few fresh mint leaves from the garden, and Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine. The cherry-size Fresh Mozzarella Balls make an attractive presentation for this dessert. Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Balls come in sizes, ranging from pearl size to egg size, as well as ciliegine size Crave Brothers Marinated Fresh Mozzarella. Award-winning Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella is also available in one-pound sliced fresh mozzarella logs, medallions, one-pound logs, one-pound balls and eight-ounce balls. At the 2019 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Medallions and Part-Skim Mozzarella Balls each won First Place Awards; Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine took Second Place honors.

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            Fresh Fruit Topped with Crave Brothers Mascarpone Cheese can be garnished with a cookie or two. Throughout the summer, complement ripe fruits like blueberries, strawberries, peaches or plums with the sweet cream flavor and velvety texture of Mascarpone. Crave Brothers Mascarpone has won more than 27 prestigious awards since its introduction.

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            Berries and Mascarpone Chocolate Truffles are a combination that few can resist. You can make the chocolate truffles up to a week ahead of time. Ingredients include semisweet chocolate, heavy cream, Crave Brothers Mascarpone, one tablespoon each of sugar and your favorite liqueur, and ground pecans or walnuts. Present the finished Mascarpone Chocolate Truffles on the dessert cheese board with a few fresh raspberries.

From Prize-Winning Cows to Championship Cheese, the Crave Family is Cream of the Crop:

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Waterloo, WI, August 6, 2019—Award-winning Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese is made with milk produced by cows from the Crave family’s own dairy herd, so it’s no surprise that the cows are winning awards, too. Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese and Crave Brothers Farm continue their cows-to-cheese family tradition of excellence with their most recent prestigious awards. To begin with, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese earned three First Place Awards for Crave Brothers Mascarpone, Crave Brothers Chocolate Mascarpone, and Crave Brothers White Cheddar Cheese Curdsin the 2019 Annual American Cheese Society Conference and Competition. The competition was held in Richmond, Virginia, July 31 to August 3. All told, 1,742 entries from 257 companies competed in this year’s competition. Crave Brothers Chocolate Mascarpone was the only Wisconsin cheese to be included as one of the 20 cheeses qualified for Best of Show.

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            Crave Brothers Oaxaca also received Third Place honors in the American Cheese Society Judging and Competition. Oaxaca is a traditional style of Mexican cheese with excellent melting properties. It is ideal for sandwiches, quesadillas, dips and a variety of baked recipes.

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            In other competition news, Crave Brothers have won recent dairy cow awards as well as additional cheese awards. At the Wisconsin Championship Holstein Show held in Madison in July, Sunmade Crave Jacoby Jazzwon First Place in the Fall Heifer Calf category and was named Junior Champion of the open show. At the 2019 Wisconsin Jr. State Fair, Crave Expander won First Place in the December calf category. Also at the state fair, Crave Brothers Mascarpone and Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella earned Second Place awards in the cheese competition.       

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            Crave Brothers Mascarpone has received a total of more than 33 awards, with over 16 First Place awards to its credit. This sweet, creamy cheese adds a velvety texture as well as richness to soups, sauces, sandwiches and desserts. For sweet meal endings, pair Mascarpone with fresh berries, ginger snaps, shortbread cookies, or flavors such as lemon and honey.

            Crave Brothers Chocolate Mascarpone is a ready-made dessert treat on its own, but it’s also a luxurious dessert waiting to happen. Pair Chocolate Mascarpone with mini cupcakes, use it as a rich icing, or feature it in creamy chocolate pies with cookie crumb or graham cracker crusts. Give your imagination free reign to develop memorable mousses combining liqueur, cherries, banana slices or dark chocolate chips with Crave Brothers Chocolate Mascarpone.

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            This year’s American Cheese Society honor for White Cheddar Cheese Curds marks the fourth time that Crave Brothers Cheddar Cheese Curds have received First Place recognition. Recently, Crave Brothers Cheddar Cheese Curdsalso were voted 2ndPlace Winner in USA Today’s Best Cheese Curds competition.  

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            Cheddar Cheese Curds are a fresh snack cheese with a mild, salty flavor that complements ciders, beer and fruit juices. They can also be added to bowls of chili or appetizer plates. Crave Brothers Cheddar Cheese Curds are available in White Cheddar, Yellow Cheddar and Jalapeño Cheddar varieties.

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            In addition to winning its new Second Place Award at the 2019 Wisconsin State Fair, Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella has received more than 40 awards, including two First Place Awards at the 2019 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella is available in sizes ranging from perline (pearl size) to ciliegine (cherry size), bocconcini (ball size), ovoline (egg size), as well as medallions, 8-ounce balls, 1-pound balls, and 1-pound logs. 

            The making of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese is overseen by licensed cheese maker George Crave. Crave Brothers Cheese is sustainably produced in the family’s farmstead cheese-making facility that practices water conservation, recycling, and uses 100 percent green power.

Here’s a lot of Reasons to Celebrate National Dairy Month an Interview with Mark Crave

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Waterloo, WI, May 21, 2019—Dairy farms, including Crave Brothers Farm LLC and its farmstead cheese facility Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, require a year-round commitment. National Dairy Month in June is a month-long annual celebration dedicated to the contributions of the dairy industry. On behalf of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, Mark Crave provides insight into the role of dairy farms today. As General Manager of Crave Brothers Farm LLC, he oversees 30 employees working in the Crave Brothers’ farming operations in Waterloo, WI. Milk from the family’s own dairy herd is used to produce the line of award-winning varieties of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, overseen by licensed cheese maker George Crave.

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Mark Crave takes time out of his busy spring schedule to answer questions consumers might have about National Dairy Month.

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What is National Dairy Month in June all about?

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Mark Crave: As consumers, it’s easy to take for granted the abundant, wholesome food supply we enjoy in this country. By celebrating National Dairy Month, we recognize the hard-working farm families, processors, retailers and restaurateurs who allow us to enjoy nutrient-packed dairy foods that are important to us at all stages of life. National Dairy Month is also a fun way to recognize everything that we love about dairy products. The fact that it takes place during the first month of summer makes it extra special. Kids of all ages can take part in activities around Wisconsin.

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What do we need to know about local milk and cheese?

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Mark Crave: Milk is produced in all 50 states. In some cases, it’s produced right in the same areas where many consumers live. Local dairy products are important to consumers.  The feed is grown, the cows are cared for, and the end products are made locally. We all benefit from local farms because they provide green space and views, offer a boost to local commerce, provide jobs and pay a big share of property taxes that benefit local schools. The farmers themselves often have leadership positions on local school or church boards, and hold elected positions in local, county and state offices.

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Why are family traditions so important for consumers and dairy farmers alike?

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Mark Crave: With 99 percent of Wisconsin dairy farms being family owned and operated, traditions are important because farmers not only pass along knowledge of farming, they carry those traditions back into the communities and spread them around the country. Family owners also provide management and labor on our farms, enabling American dairy farms to be the gold standard around the world.

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The traditions also involve the dairy products that are part of our lives. Among the fun traditions we share are pizza parties after football games, ice cream that accompanies birthday cakes, and squeaky cheese curds enjoyed at county fairs. And don’t forget about cream puffs at the Wisconsin State Fair.

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Why do the Crave Brothers produce both milk and cheese?

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Mark Crave: We built our cheese factory in 2000 to grow our family business and give opportunities to our family members and our employees. Milking our cows and making award-winning cheese is what we do every day, day in and day out.  We are very proud to build the rural economy.

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What are the changes that have taken place on farms, specifically dairy farms, in the past five years?

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Mark Crave: One of the biggest changes is the continuous improvement in both crops and cows. Our crops are more vigorous. They grow in challenging weather conditions and have more natural resistance to pests. The cows in our herds are healthier and more fertile. They produce more milk with less labor and water. The cows are making the farmers’ jobs easier because the cows are easier to care for and allow farmers to spend more time with their families. A generation ago, that didn’t happen.

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How are Crave Brothers Farm and Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese addressing today’s concerns about sustainability?

Mark Crave: We love to share facts about modern dairy’s role in improving our environment. Today, a gallon of milk is produced with only 37 percent of the carbon footprint that we needed in 1960. On Crave Brothers Farm, we use practices every day to use less inputs. We employ crop rotation and minimum tillage. Cow comfort allows cows to produce more milk. One of our very visible sustainability tools is our biodigester that uses manure as the raw ingredient to produce electricity. In fact, we produce enough electricity to power nearly 300 homes.

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How can consumers better inform themselves about dairy farms and the food we eat?

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Mark Crave: With the advent of social media, a lot of information is shared about farms and food. Much of it is from people who are lacking in knowledge, or do not have correct facts. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in the topic to ask farmers about where milk comes from, and how the cows are cared for. A lot goes into it. Farmers are the experts, and often they love talking about it.

Create 6 Summery Spins on Caprese Salad with Crave brothers Fresh Mozzarella

Waterloo, WI, July 17, 2019—There’s a reason the Caprese Salad is a classic. Its genius lies in the simplicity of combining fresh seasonal tomatoes and basil leaves from the garden with fresh mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. However, Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics offers fresh spins on the idea, inspired by their variety of award-winning Fresh Mozzarella sizes and shapes. Don’t be surprised if these salad suggestions become classics, too.

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For your convenience, versatile Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella is available in sizes ranging from perline (pearl size) to ciliegine (cherry size), bocconcini (ball size), ovoline (egg size), as well as medallions, 8-ounce balls, 1-pound balls, and 1-pound logs.  All told, Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella has won more than 40 awards, including two First Place Awards at the 2019 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest.  Discover for yourself how freshness makes a difference in the following salads.

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• Sliced peach Caprese Salad is created with Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Medallions and garnished with mint and basil fresh from the garden. Drizzle with just a bit of dressing made with fruit-flavored vinegar, honey and extra virgin olive oil.

• Grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives and Crave Brothers Marinated Fresh Mozzarella-Ciliegine are a great combination. Dress the salad with a drizzle of the Crave Brothers signature marinade and a simple garnish of a few snips of fresh Mediterranean herbs from the garden.

• Pitted fresh cherries and Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine are made for each other. Enhance the combination with an optional drizzle of fruit-infused balsamic vinegar or a splash of extra virgin olive oil flavored with a drop of almond or vanilla extract. Garnish with a sprinkle of thyme leaves. 

• Large strawberries and Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Ovolines dotted with balsamic glaze, a bit of freshly ground black pepper if desired, and freshly chopped mint leaves make a refreshing appetizer for summer entertaining. To prepare the salad, slice or chop the Fresh Mozzarella Ovolines and strawberries into pieces that are roughly the same size.

• Combine mango slices with slices of Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella. Drizzle with a dressing made by whisking together maple syrup, Dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar—no oil needed. 

• Fresh corn kernels, fresh blueberries, cooked wild rice, and Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Perlines prove how many good fresh ingredients come in small sizes. The dressing is destined to become it’s own classic. Make blueberry vinaigrette in a blender with ½ cup of fresh blueberries, ¼ cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of honey and 6 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.     Serve the salad over mixed greens.

Like other Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, Fresh Mozzarella is made with milk from the family’s own dairy herd, and sustainably produced in the family’s farmstead cheese-making facility that practices water conservation, recycling, and uses 100 percent green power.

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For additional summery salad recipe ideas from Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, visit www.cravecheese.com.  You’ll also find details about the award-winning line of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, and videos highlighting the Crave Brothers green story. 

“Stress Free Cooking” Episodes feature Crave Brothers Cheese on We Cook TV

Waterloo, WI, May 15, 2019—Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese simplifies meal preparation with its selection of award-winning cheeses, including Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella, Crave Brothers Mascarpone and Crave Brothers Cheddar Cheese Curds. We Cook TV is helping to get the message out about how easy it is to create memorable meals with “Stress Free Cooking,” featuring Barbara Seelig-Brown and her co-host, Tom Beyer. Episodes focus on the sound principles of preparing good, healthy food and cooking with color. Reaching 70 million households, episodes provide step-by-step recipe instructions. “Stress Free Cooking” is streamed, so it is available anytime you want inspiration from Barbara Seelig-Brown’s cookbooks.

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Barbara Seelig-Brown is a chef, culinary educator, food and wine columnist and cookbook author.  In addition to her cookbook Stress Free Cooking, she has authored The Diabetes Seafood Cookbook; Stress Free Cooking for People with Diabetes; The Healthy Home, Diabetes-Friendly Recipes for Holidays, Parties, and Everyday Celebrations; and Secrets of Healthy Cooking—A Guide to Mastering the Art of Cooking for Diabetes, Prediabetes, and Heart Health.

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You can check out her recipes featuring Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese by visiting the Stress Free Cooking website at www.stressfreecooking.com.  On the home page, simply click on We Cook TV.  The show is also on Roku and Altice USA/Cablevision.  “Stress Free Cooking” offers recipes such as Pasta with Mascarpone and Mushrooms, and Garlic Shrimp Stuffed Zucchini, both featuring Crave Brothers Mascarpone. Crave Brothers Mascarpone is a sweet, creamy, spreadable cheese. It has won more than 27 prestigious awards since its introduction, including a First Place Award at the 2018 World Dairy Expo Dairy Products Contest.

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Other recipes on “Stress Free Cooking” feature Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella. Included are Baked Eggplant with Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella, as well as the Breakfast Soufflé. Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella comes in a variety of convenient forms, including one-pound sliced Fresh Mozzarella Logs, Fresh Mozzarella Medallions, one-pound logs, one-pound balls and eight-ounce balls. In addition, small Fresh Mozzarella balls come in four sizes, ranging from pearl size to egg size, and Marinated Fresh Mozzarella—ciliegine size. 

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Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese took home five awards at the 2019 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, including two Best of Class/First Place awards for Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Medallions and Crave Brothers Part-Skim One-Pound Mozzarella Balls. Crave Brothers Cheese also won three Second Place awards for Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine, Crave Brothers Oaxaca, and Crave Brothers White Cheddar Cheese Curds.  

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Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese is a family run business. The artisan cheeses are handcrafted and sustainably produced in the family’s farmstead cheese-making facility, overseen by licensed cheese maker George Crave. Crave Brothers Cheese is made with milk from the family’s own dairy herd, and the business practices water conservation, recycling, and uses 100 percent green power. 

Fall into Easy Entertaining with Crave Brothers Seasonal Dessert Cheese Board

Waterloo, WI, September 28, 2019—This year, combine simplicity and bounty when you get together with family and friends to celebrate autumn and the harvest season. Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese provides ideas for creating your own Autumn Dessert Cheese Board featuring Mascarpone cheese. That way, you can spend minimal time in the kitchen and maximum time with those who matter to you. Artisanal Mascarpone Cheese from Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese complements the many dessert flavors of fall. Everything from caramel apples to pumpkin and pecans can be paired with the sweet creamy flavor of Crave Brothers Mascarpone.

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            To assemble your own custom-designed Autumn Dessert Cheese Board, start with Crave Brothers Mascarpone. Its sweet flavor and velvety texture add notes of luxury to a variety of autumn desserts. Mascarpone also complements snacks like spiced walnuts or pecans, shelled pistachios, roasted almonds, and dried fruit nibbles such as dried cranberries, apricots or figs.

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            Rich, luxurious Crave Brothers Mascarpone is also great when paired with fresh berries, and it makes a sweet creamy dip for biscotti and thin, spiced cookies such as nutmeg or ginger snaps. Fresh apple slices with caramel dipping sauce rise to the next level when they’re topped with a bit of Mascarpone. To create a party mood with your Fall Dessert Cheese Board, make mini desserts such as Pumpkin Tiramisu Parfaits in small parfait glasses or tall shot glasses. To make the parfaits, dip mini vanilla wafer cookies in caramel coffee liqueur and add them to the bottom of the glasses, followed by a pumpkin layer that combines canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spices, whipped cream and granulated sugar. Top the parfaits with Crave Brothers Mascarpone, mixed with a bit of powdered sugar. Refrigerate the parfaits before serving.

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Whether you’re casually entertaining a few friends for a Halloween gathering or football-watching party, or serving a dinner crowd for Thanksgiving, remember that Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese enhances your party menu. In fact, Crave Brothers Mascarpone has been a steady competition winner since its introduction. It now has more than 36 honors to its name, including First Place Awards for both Crave Brothers Mascarpone and Crave Brothers Chocolate Mascarpone, at the 2019 American Cheese Society Competition.

2020 Press Releases

Have a Greener St. Patrick's Day with Crave Brothers 

Waterloo, WI, February 21, 2020—This year, you can simultaneously embrace green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese. Every pound of Crave Brothers Cheese is produced with renewable energy, on a family-owned farm and farmstead cheese-making facility that uses 100 percent green power and practices recycling. The Crave Brothers’ carbon negative businesses not only use sustainable practices, they also produce award-winning artisan cheeses. Here are some of the ways that Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese makes your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations greener.

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• Crave Brothers Chocolate Mascarpone is the latest specialty from Crave Brothers. This rich cheese is made by combining fresh sweet cream from the Crave Brothers own dairy herd with chocolate Irish crème. The alcohol-free flavor of classic Irish cream liqueur makes Chocolate Mascarpone an ideal dessert ingredient for guests of all ages. With its velvety texture and chocolaty flavor, you can simply add it to dessert cheese boards with berries and cookies, or create specialty desserts like Chocolate Mascarpone Pie. Crave Brothers new Chocolate Mascarpone has already received a First Place Award at the 2019 American Cheese Society Competition, and was named one of the Top 20 cheeses at the event.

• Irish beer and the authentic Wisconsin flavor of Crave Brothers Cheddar Cheese Curds were made for each other. With a mild salty flavor and springy firm texture, Crave Brothers Cheese Curds are a significant party food that’s packed with protein. When you pair your favorite beer with Crave Brothers White Cheddar Cheese Curds, you’ll discover why this versatile snack earned First Place honors at the 2019 American Cheese Society competition. In addition to White Cheddar Cheese Curds, Crave Brothers offers Yellow Cheddar and Jalapeño Cheddar Cheese Curds to complement a variety of party menus.

• Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella complements your Irish-inspired party fare—everything from warm Irish soda bread to smoked salmon appetizers to hearty stew. Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella comes in a variety of shapes, from 8-ounce and 1-pound balls to 1-pound logs and containers of small mozzarella balls in four sizes—pearl, cherry, golf ball and egg sizes. All told, Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella has received nearly 50 prestigious honors, including two First Place Awards at the 2019 U.S. Cheese Championship contest.

Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Awarded First Place for Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Curds

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Waterloo, WI, March 11, 2020—Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese took home a total of six awards at the 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest held in Madison, Wisconsin on March 3 and 4. More than 3,000 products were entered in the competition. Here are the newest honors that Crave Brothers Cheese has accumulated for its sustainably produced, artisan farmstead cheeses.         

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• First place: Crave Brothers Jalapeño Cheddar Cheese Curds are prized for their mild salty flavor and springy, firm texture. Crave Brothers Jalapeño Cheese Curds get a little peppery zing from the addition of jalapeños. Discover how well they complement your favorite beer. Enjoy them as a stand-alone snack or add them to chili or other meaty dishes. Crave Brothers also offers White Cheddar Cheese Curds and Yellow Cheddar Cheese Curds.

• Second Place and Third Place: Crave Brothers Mascarpone earned 99.70 and 99.65 points, respectively. This rich cheese features fresh sweet cream from the Crave Brothers own dairy herd. With its velvety texture, Mascarpone makes an ideal accompaniment for fresh berries, and is a versatile addition to dessert cheese boards with cookies. It also enriches sauces and soups. Choose from Crave Brothers Mascarpone and Crave Brothers Chocolate Mascarpone. The latter is made by combining fresh sweet cream from the Crave Brothers own dairy herd with chocolate Irish crème for the alcohol-free flavor of classic Irish cream liqueur.

• Third Place and Fifth Place: Crave Brothers Oaxaca is a Latin American-style melting cheese. It enhances dips, quesadillas, sandwiches and more.  Oaxaca is characterized by its mild flavor and its pleasingly stringy texture when melted.

• Fourth and Fifth Place: Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella earned 99.30 and 99.25 points respectively. Versatile Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit just about any recipe. Use it for pasta, pizza, salads, appetizers, and baked Mediterranean dishes. Choose from 8-ounce and 1-pound balls, 1-pound logs, medallions, and containers of small mozzarella balls in four sizes—pearl, cherry, golf ball and egg sizes.

Five Fresh Air Picnic Ideas Featuring Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella

Waterloo, WI, May 20, 2020—Add Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella to your menu for Father’s Day small gatherings, June picnics and the summer grilling season. Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella comes in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit your recipe needs. It is available in containers of small mozzarella balls that come in four sizes—pearl, cherry, golf ball and egg sizes—Medallions, Marinated Fresh Mozzarella, 8-ounce and 1-pound balls and 1-pound logs. All told, Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella has won more than 50 awards at prestigious cheese competitions. Here are five summer picnic and grilling ideas, from the Crave family to yours.

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1. Crave Burgers: Update your traditional Father’s Day grilling menu with this burger variation. It’s named for licensed cheese maker George Crave, who oversees cheese making at the family’s farmstead facility. To make Crave Burgers on the grill, all you need are hamburger patties, homemade or prepared marinara sauce and Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Medallions.

2. Wild Rice, Blueberries and Fresh Mozzarella Salad: The Scrumptious Summer Blueberry, Fresh Mozzarella and Wild Rice Salad features mixed greens, chilled cooked wild rice, fresh blueberries and pearl-size Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Perlines or cubed Fresh Mozzarella, tossed with a blueberry vinaigrette.

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3. Strawberries, Fresh Mozzarella and Mint: Sometimes, simple combinations knock it out of the park, and this salad idea is one of them. Cut the strawberries, add a touch of sugar, and then add Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella ovoline size balls, sliced ¼-inch thick. In a blender, combine olive oil and fresh mint leaves. Drizzle berries and cheese with the olive oil/mint mixture and balsamic vinegar before serving.

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4. Marinated Fresh Mozzarella Add-Ons: Crave Brothers Marinated Mozzarella features a signature blend of olive oil and canola oil, with a custom mix of herbs and spices. Serve it with fresh vegetable platters at your next picnic or backyard barbecue, add it to prepared pasta salad, or brush the marinade on sliced baguettes before grilling, then top the bread with the Marinate Fresh Mozzarella balls or serve them on the side.

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5. Quick Grilled Pizza: Add prepared pesto to a pre-made pizza crust, then top with Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Perlines or Fresh Mozzarella Medallions, along with roasted tomatoes. If desired, add sliced olives or chopped artichoke hearts to the pizza.

Cinco de Mayo Mascarpone Margarita Pie

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Waterloo, WI, April 14, 2020—Bring this year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration right into your own home with the splurge-worthy Crave Brothers Margarita Mascarpone Pie. With this pie as a dessert, you don’t need parades or parties to observe the May 5th holiday. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of Mexico’s army over French forces in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. Typical party fare in the U.S. pays tribute to Mexico’s food and culture. Margarita cocktails complement popular foods like tacos, salsa, guacamole, burritos, and bean casseroles topped with melted cheese.

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The Margarita Mascarpone Pie creates a sweet ending to the celebration. It features fresh, creamy Mascarpone from Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese. All you need for the pie are a few simple ingredients: pre-made graham cracker crust, a jar of lime curd, margarita mix (with or without tequila) or lime juice, and optional garnishes. Fold the lime curd and margarita mix into room temperature Crave Brothers Mascarpone Cheese. Add the pie filling to the graham cracker crust, chill the pie, and garnish it before serving. We suggest whipped cream, fresh lime peel and kosher salt.

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Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics Mascarpone has earned more than 36 awards at numerous prestigious cheese competitions. It enhances a variety of desserts with its velvety texture and sweet cream flavor. The cheese is made with milk from the Crave family’s own dairy herd, and is sustainably produced in the farmstead cheese factory. For more Cinco de Mayo recipe ideas from Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, visit www.cravecheese.com.