What The Hell Have They Done to Jarlsberg Cheese?

[WhatWouldChristineCagneyDo]

Usual order from Tesco. I knew something was up as soon as I squished it in the pack.

It's no longer a wedge, but an oblong slab. No rind, although I appear to have an end piece. Very squishy, wet and claggy in texture. Tastes like a mushy Babybel, that sweet, nutty edge with a faint promise of proper honking stinky cheesiness? Gone. in fact I'm not convinved it isn't a big hunk of babybel that's had holes poked in it with an old biro.

Looking on the back I see that it's now made in Ireland. Googling reveals it's because of some Norwegian dairy export subsidy being ended and proper Norwegian Jarlsberg is now only available in Norway. I'm distraught that my favourite midnight snack has been ruined.

Oh woe is me, woe is me. RIP Jarlsberg, taken from us too soon

Nooooo!! I had some slices the other day...they did not taste the same.

It's a travesty. 12 hours on from my crushing disappointment in the snack department and I'm still suffering from the trauma.

Omg what?
This can't be happening, I love all cheese jarlsberg, it can't be ruined.

I'm sure you'll be glad to know that we still get the normal Jarlsberg in Denmark . (You just scared me, long may it last).

@Giantrooster Lucky you! But keep checking the back of the pack. If it suddenly switches to 'produced in Ireland' then save your money and chew on a lump of silicone bath sealant instead.

Well I'm over invested and nervous now, went to their page and this came up:

"Why does TINE produce Jarlsberg® outside of Norway?
TINE has investigated multiple different possibilities for exporting Jarlsberg® from Norway and has found that, in the current market situation, exporting from Norway would not be profitable at all. It is important for TINE to nurture the value developed by Norwegian farming internationally over the years. In order to serve the international market, TINE decided to set up fully owned production sites in Ohio (USA) and Mogeely (Ireland) in 2001 and 2004.

Why was Ireland chosen for production within the EU?
TINE does not want to compromise on quality when it comes to Jarlsberg® and has chosen to base production in Ireland owing to the quality ingredients and excellent agricultural knowledge within the country. At the same time, Ireland is also strongly committed to producing food in an environmentally friendly way.

Does Jarlsberg® have the same taste and quality regardless of production site?
TINE has 5 different dairies producing Jarlsberg® (Alpine Cheese, TINE Mogeely, TINE Verdal, TINE Elnesvågen and TINE Jæren). All production sites use the same equipment and implement the same demanding quality requirements. Sensory analysis shows that Jarlsberg® has the same characteristic taste profile and quality regardless of production site. The secret Jarlsberg® recipe has been the same since its creation in 1956, and the bacteria culture used at all production sites still comes from TINE’s own factory in Norway. "

I would put it on sm and put in a complaint, writing this and doing differently is poor marketing, better call them out.

(That is if you have noting better to do at all ).

I bought some a few weeks back and realised the holes are mechanically created!? As there was a piece still left in one of them
I haven't bought it since!

I thought they had specially trained mice to make the holes 😭

@Giantrooster I tweeted them at half past midnight in a fit of pique, not my most coherent moment but, y'a know, the balance of my mind (and taste buds) was disturbed.

😂

I'll (or rather dh will) be watching like a hawk.

Wonder if it's got anything to do with Brexit?

@Beecham apparently not. It's to do with the Norwegian government removing a dairy export subsidy.

I'd pay more for the proper stuff. Kerrygold may be a fine dairy company but their attempt at making Jarlsberg is dismal.