Maytag Blue Cheese In Production!!

LetsEat

The long awaited Maytag Blue Cheese is in production and will be shipped this spring.  I called and ordered two 2# wheels this afternoon. 

Maytag  has been a staple in my family for generations and in my opinion there is nothing comparable. If you haven't tried it, you are in for a treat
http://store.maytagdairyfarms.com/

RRP

I have loved Maytag for years though I haven't bought any for a while.  I didn't realize they were out of production. What happened?

LetsEat

Ron, it's my understanding the plant closed for production improvements/upgrades and it took longer than expected to return to production. 

Carolina Q

I thought it was potential Listeria. But I didn't really read this carefully.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm488124.htm

GregW

Carolina Q said:

I thought it was potential Listeria. But I didn't really read this carefully.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm488124.htm

That looks pretty serious. Thanks for posting this.

RRP

GregW said:

Carolina Q said:

I thought it was potential Listeria. But I didn't really read this carefully.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm488124.htm

That looks pretty serious. Thanks for posting this.

Serious? Yes, but that was nearly 1 year ago so the recall is stale, but Micheal's research explained why the delay.

KiterTodd

I love Maytag Blue Cheese!  I did not notice it was missing from store shelves until you mentioned it.  I hope they can reclaim shelf space once they are up and running.

RRP

KiterTodd said:

I love Maytag Blue Cheese!  I did not notice it was missing from store shelves until you mentioned it.  I hope they can reclaim shelf space once they are up and running.

I'm sure they can - Maytag rocks! I was first introduced to Maytag up at the Amana Colonies in IA way back in the 60's and was hooked for life!

Judy Mayberry

It was my favorite too for many years, till it disappeared. I have a Maytag dishwasher that still works after 23 years, and a Maytag French door refrigerator that keeps produce fresh for close to 2 weeks and dairy even longer. It's a "Miracle" brand name.

JohnnyTarheel

@LetsEat.  Is Maytag a regional cheese in stores? 

northGAcock

This news has made my day. I have been asking at the retail level for quite some time now....with no responses. I agree on the product....my favorite Bleu Cheese as well. Thanks for sharing. 

RRP

JohnnyTarheel said:

@LetsEat.  Is Maytag a regional cheese in stores? 

Might be, but at least here in IL it is one of the most expensive if not the most expensive bleu cheeses in the stores which do carry it. So that might limit where it is carried.

Carolina Q

fyi...
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2016/12/10/maytag-farms-restart-famous-blue-cheese-production/95086446/

LetsEat

Michael thank you for posting the Maytag media links.  I was able to purchase Maytag Blue though summer 2016 when our local Woodman's grocery abruptly stopped offering it. Now I know why.  The cheese was phenomenal before and I am hoping the new production will be equally as good. As far as availability, I have found it in many grocery and speciality cheese shops in Il. I have also purchased it directly from Maytag for shipment.  The company has excellent, personalized, customer service and it's just a pleasure to do business with them. The advance order I just placed for 2#wheel @ $30.95 was comparable in price to what I was paying locally last summer. 

Carolina Q

Actually, I had never heard of the stuff until today. Didn't know the appliance people made cheese too. Apparently, they make ONLY cheese now. Sold the other to Whirlpool years ago. And Whirlpool promptly bailed on Newton IA (plant and HQ). Not sure how Newton's economy made out.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-town-maytag-left-behind/

Spaightlabs

JohnnyTarheel said:

@LetsEat.  Is Maytag a regional cheese in stores? 

We get it here in CO, but we are only 2 states away.

I woulda thunk the Maytag repairman could have had them up and running faster than a year.

GregW

Carolina Q said:

Actually, I had never heard of the stuff until today. Didn't know the appliance people made cheese too. Apparently, they make ONLY cheese now. Sold the other to Whirlpool years ago. And Whirlpool promptly bailed on Newton IA (plant and HQ). Not sure how Newton's economy made out.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-town-maytag-left-behind/

I hope they don't move the Maytag cheese plant over to China.

KiterTodd

It is my favorite blue cheese. It has a bright blue bite to it.   Not the funky dark Gorgonzola odor that a lot of other blues can have.  This one is perfect.

HofstraJet

This thread is making me want to open a bottle of vintage Port tonight.

nolaegghead

KiterTodd said:

It is my favorite blue cheese. It has a bright blue bite to it.   Not the funky dark Gorgonzola odor that a lot of other blues can have.  This one is perfect.

I need to try it.  But I do like the funk of funky cheeses so maybe I'm thinking I will be disappointed.

LetsEat

To accompany a beautiful pour of vintage Port, ripe pear, grilled wings, aged beef, or midnight clandestine raid of the fridge.....I'm addicted to Maytag Blue. I admit I've never found another flavor profile or texture that appeals to me more....domestic or imported.

Botch

HofstraJet said:

This thread is making me want to open a bottle of vintage Port tonight.

Wow, so many memories!  Back when I was dating What's-her-name, we always had Date Night at my place on Wednesdays; I'd cook something new from Cook's Illustrated, and we'd watch a movie or concert while snacking on Bleu cheese, port (tawny for me), walnuts, and either Basc or Japanese pears.  
 
Someone also mentioned Newton, IA.  In the summer of '78 my Washington HS Warrior band (Sioux Falls SD) 

DMW

Botch said:

HofstraJet said:

This thread is making me want to open a bottle of vintage Port tonight.

Wow, so many memories!  Back when I was dating What's-her-name, we always had Date Night at my place on Wednesdays; I'd cook something new from Cook's Illustrated, and we'd watch a movie or concert while snacking on Bleu cheese, port (tawny for me), walnuts, and either Basc or Japanese pears.  
 
Someone also mentioned Newton, IA.  In the summer of '78 my Washington HS Warrior band (Sioux Falls SD) 

In the summer of '78 I was one year old.

Botch

You're mean.  
 
 

RRP

Here's one of my most favorite uses of left over rare beef plus Maytag bleu cheese. It really rocks!

Focker

RRP said:

Here's one of my most favorite uses of left over rare beef plus Maytag bleu cheese. It really rocks!

Awesome buddy, my kind of steak salad.  Looking forward to some shaved PR and some Maytag.  

Maytag paying their 100 employees' wages and bennies during the shutdown speaks volumes.  

Berkwood Farms, Maytag, and La Quercia are a few things very close to my IA heart, Peace Tree Blonde Fatale too.

bettysnephew

FYI Fritz Maytag was also the guy that revived Anchor Steam Beer which many believe helped with the growth of the many small breweries that make unique beers today. He owns a California winery today. I like the other things he has been involved in so may look up the winery and see what he has to offer. 

KiterTodd

nolaegghead said:

KiterTodd said:

It is my favorite blue cheese. It has a bright blue bite to it.   Not the funky dark Gorgonzola odor that a lot of other blues can have.  This one is perfect.

I need to try it.  But I do like the funk of funky cheeses so maybe I'm thinking I will be disappointed.

It's a good "starter" blue cheese for people who like things with sharp tastes like salt and vinegar chips, buy shy away from things that smell bad.  There is room for both in your life.