Butter Buds Inc., a global leader in dairy and non-dairy concentrates, has expanded availability of Cheese Buds-Emmenthal. This natural cheese flavor concentrate, derived from enzyme-modified cheese, offers food and beverage manufacturers a unique and cost-effective way to impart authentic Swiss-like creamy, savory and nutty notes, while providing exceptional versatility across a wide range of applications. 

“Cheese Buds-Emmenthal is the answer to the industry’s demand for high-quality, natural cheese flavors that deliver both enhanced sensory profiles and functional benefits,” said Paul Buhler, Director of Sales, Butter Buds Food Ingredients. “It’s a powerful tool for formulators looking to create complex savory profiles or reduce the reliance on higher-cost cheese solids without compromising on the rich, desirable taste that consumers love.” 

According to Mintel’s 2025 Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Snacks report, consumers continue to crave familiar flavors that offer indulgence while featuring high-quality, natural ingredients. Familiarity in flavors continues to be a strong driver, with cheese and pizza flavors maintaining their popularity.

This strategic line extension within the popular Cheese Buds range is specifically designed to offer a distinctive Swiss-type flavor profile. Unlike compounded Swiss flavors, Cheese Buds-Emmenthal is made from real enzyme-modified cheese, providing superior richness and mouthfeel. It delivers a complete Swiss cheese flavor profile, encompassing creamy, buttery, nutty, aged and savory notes. 

A key differentiator of Cheese Buds-Emmenthal is its synergistic effect with other Cheese Buds varieties, enhancing overall cheese flavor impact even at very low usage rates, typically 0.02–0.05% for a boost in cheese notes. For broader application, the recommended usage level is 0.25-2.0% of total batch weight.

Key Features and Benefits of Cheese Buds-Emmenthal: 

• Authentic Flavor: Butter Buds natural Emmenthal cheese flavor is prepared from enzyme-modified cheese, spray-dried with whey solids and maltodextrin. Its aroma is savory, umami and nutty, and its flavor is highly concentrated Emmenthal (Swiss). 

• Versatile Application: Ideal for enhancing cheese flavor and/or reducing cheese solids in sauces, spreads, soups, snack seasonings, baked and extruded snacks, and pasteurized processed cheese products. It has been successfully used in cheese sauces, macaroni and cheese, cheese dips, soups, seasonings and bakery items, such as a savory pizza nutrition bar. 

• Cost Effective: Its concentrated nature allows for low usage levels, providing meaningful cost savings compared to higher-cost cheese ingredients, while maintaining or improving flavor. It can reduce the amount of Swiss-type cheeses needed in formulations. 

• Clean Label Features: rBST-free, contains no phosphates and GMO-free. It can assist in fat reduction in formulations when substituting cheese. It is also Kosher (Dairy) and Halal (IFANCA) certified.

• Fat Reduction Potential: It can assist in fat reduction in formulations when substituting cheese, though in some cases, fat/protein may need to be added back to maintain texture. 

• Strong Shelf Stability: Requires no refrigeration and has a 24-month shelf life when stored at 50-80°F and less than 70% relative humidity. 

• Savory Trend Alignment: With its creamy cheese and savory notes, Cheese Buds-Emmenthal is perfectly positioned to help manufacturers enhance the flavor profile of savory applications. It can also help add savory notes to sweet applications, delivering on changing consumer preferences for complex flavor combinations that balance both sweet and savory profiles.