Philadelphia cream cheese originated in New York, not Philadelphia, despite the name. Philadelphia cream cheese was first made in 1872 by William Lawrence, a dairy farmer in Chester, New York. Lawrence was trying to recreate the soft, creamy cheese common in France at the time, known as Neufchatel. The new cream cheese was a huge hit and Lawrence began packaging and selling it to New York City markets under the brand Philadelphia Cream Cheese. The name was chosen to associate the cheese with the reputation for high quality food coming from Philadelphia at that time.
When did Philadelphia cream cheese get its name?
As mentioned above, Philadelphia cream cheese was first created in 1872 by William Lawrence in New York. However, it did not get the Philadelphia name until 1880. Lawrence sold his cream cheese recipe to the Phenix Cheese Company in 1880. The Phenix Cheese Company then began mass producing the cream cheese and selling it under the brand name Philadelphia Cream Cheese. So while the cream cheese originated in New York in 1872, it did not get the Philadelphia moniker until 8 years later in 1880 when the Phenix Cheese Company acquired the recipe.
What company makes Philadelphia cream cheese today?
Today, Philadelphia cream cheese is made by the Kraft Heinz Company. Kraft Foods acquired the Philadelphia brand when it merged with the Phenix Cheese Company in 1928. In 2015, Kraft merged with Heinz to form the new Kraft Heinz Company. So even though the cream cheese got its start as a small New York dairy producer, today it is made by one of the largest food companies in the world.
Where is Philadelphia cream cheese made today?
Philadelphia cream cheese continues to be made in the United States today. However, production is no longer just in New York. Philadelphia cream cheese is mass-produced in large factories across the country. Some of the major production facilities include:
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Tulare, California
- Champaign, Illinois
- Rochester, New York
- Wausheka, Wisconsin
So while the original Philadelphia cream cheese was made in New York, today it is produced on a large scale across the country to meet demand.
What are the most popular flavors of Philadelphia cream cheese?
Philadelphia cream cheese comes in a variety of different flavors. The most popular flavors include:
| Flavor | Description |
|---|---|
| Original | The iconic plain cream cheese with a tangy, creamy flavor |
| Strawberry | Sweet cream cheese blended with strawberry fruit spread |
| Garden Vegetable | Cream cheese with bits of carrot, celery, onion, and pepper |
| Roasted Garlic | Cream cheese with the savory flavor of roasted garlic |
| Honey Walnut | Cream cheese with honey and walnuts |
Out of all the flavored varieties, strawberry and garden vegetable tend to be consumer favorites.
What is Philadelphia’s strawberry cream cheese flavor like?
Philadelphia’s strawberry cream cheese flavor features their classic tangy cream cheese blended with sweet strawberry fruit spread. The cream cheese provides a rich, creamy base while the fruit spread gives it a sweet jam-like strawberry flavor. The strawberry cream cheese is a bright pink color and has visible fruit chunks and seeds throughout. It’s perfect for spreading on bagels, topping cheesecake, or using as a dip for fresh fruit.
The strawberry flavor provides a nice balance of creamy and sweet. It’s a popular choice among consumers because it can be used both in sweet and savory applications. The fruit flavors pairs well with chocolate, graham crackers, or fresh berries for a dessert. But it can also be delicious schmeared on a breakfast sandwich or wheat bagel for a little sweetness.
Does Philadelphia offer seasonal or limited edition cream cheese flavors?
Yes, in addition to their classic flavors Philadelphia cream cheese has offered limited seasonal or “special edition” flavors over the years. Some examples include:
- S’mores – released in the summer
- Pumpkin Spice – released in the fall
- Eggnog – released around the holidays
- Key Lime Pie – released in the spring/summer
- Lemon Meringue – released in the summer
These limited edition flavors give Philadelphia the opportunity to create fun new flavor combinations that align with seasonal food trends. Often they are only available for a few months at a time. After the promotional period is over the special flavors are rotated out and new seasonal options are brought in.
Does Philadelphia make a pumpkin spice cream cheese?
Yes, pumpkin spice cream cheese is one of Philadelphia’s most popular seasonal offerings. It is released every fall around September and October. The pumpkin spice flavor combines Philadelphia’s tangy original cream cheese with traditional pumpkin pie spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. It has a beautiful orange hue from real pumpkin puree. The resulting flavor is creamy and sweet with a distinctly warm pumpkin pie taste.
Pumpkin spice cream cheese can be used in both sweet and savory applications just like the standard flavors. It’s great for spreading on pumpkin bread or bagels, using in pumpkin cheesecakes or pie fillings, adding to coffee drinks, or swirling into oatmeal. The possibilities are endless. Philadelphia’s pumpkin spice cream cheese lets you enjoy the iconic flavor of fall in spreads, dips, baked goods, and more.
What are some classic brand name cream cheese spreads made by Philadelphia?
In addition to the plain and flavored cream cheese bricks, Philadelphia also produces a number of pre-mixed branded cream cheese spreads. Some of their most popular cream cheese creations include:
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Bagelfuls | Cream cheese and toppings swirled together, designed specifically for spreading on bagels |
| Cream Cheese Minis | Individual portion controlled cups of cream cheese, perfect for snacking or lunches |
| Veggie Cream Cheese | Cream cheese mixed with garden vegetables like chives and red bell peppers |
| 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese | A lighter version of the original cream cheese, with 1/3 less fat |
ThesePhiladelphia branded cream cheese products provide convenient ready-to-use spreads and innovative new options like the Bagelfuls. However, the original and flavored cream cheese bricks remain the most popular sellers.
How can I incorporate more Philadelphia cream cheese into my daily meals?
Philadelphia cream cheese is endlessly versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Here are some tips for incorporating it into more meals and snacks:
- Make easy veggie or deli meat wraps with a schmear of cream cheese
- Top your morning toast or English muffin with cream cheese instead of butter
- Blend cream cheese into smoothies for extra thickness and protein
- Mix cream cheese into pancake batter before cooking
- Make cream cheese based dips for snacking like ranch or onion
- Spread cream cheese on a chicken breast before baking for added moisture
- Stuff peppers, celery sticks, or cucumber rounds with flavored cream cheese
- Swirl jam or honey into plain cream cheese for a fast dessert dip
With so many possibilities, Philadelphia cream cheese can easily be enjoyed as part of any meal or snack. Flavored varieties like strawberry expand the possibilities even more!
Conclusion
While Philadelphia cream cheese originated in New York state in the late 1800s, it has long been associated with the city of Philadelphia thanks to its memorable brand name. Philadelphia cream cheese continues to be made across the United States today by the Kraft Heinz Company. It is available in original and flavored varieties, along with seasonal and limited edition options. Strawberry cream cheese is one of the brand’s most popular flavors, combining sweet fruit flavor with tangy creamy cheese. Philadelphia’s iconic cream cheese bricks and spreads can be incorporated into breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and more thanks to the endless versatility of the product.