There aren’t many vegan cheese shops in the country. But you can find one in Clarkdale on main street. Virgin Cheese started back in 2014 in Las Vegas as a mostly wholesale business. The Northern Arizona location is Virgin Cheese’s first retail shop. Business founder and “the chief cheese officer” of Virgin Cheese, Jodi Paige, tells us she transitioned to eating a plant-based diet and saw a hole in the market. “When I crossed over into being plant-based, I could count the number of vegan cheese companies on my two hands. And I had tasted them, most of them, and there was room in the market for really decadent and full-flavored cheese,” says Jodi. Turns out she was right.
Her business took off almost immediately after she launched it. She adapted a public recipe from a friend of hers and came up with eight flavors. She debuted her cheeses at a private event. Then 40 days later, she sold out at the farmer’s market. Jodi is from Arizona originally, purchased some land near the shop and after four months of searching, found a space in Clarkdale. Her shop opened in February. Why Clarkdale? She says she fell in love with Jerome as a teenager growing up in metro Phoenix. “There’s an undeniable magic for me in the Verde Valley,” she says. “The reception in the Verde Valley has been amazing.” Jodi says her products offer full flavor with a few ingredients. She says what gives her cheeses their robust flavor is the base she uses in her creations: organic cashew cream and organic refined coconut oil.
Virgin Cheese serves the following flavors: brie, bleu, feta, lemon dill, pepper jack, smoked gouda, port wine, Sriracha cheddar and sharp white cheddar. You can taste its products at ChocolaTree Organic Oasis and Winery 1912 in Sedona. Virgin Cheese also supplies its products to restaurants and shops throughout the United States. Virgin Cheese plans to roll out full vegan picnics, charcuterie boars, cream cheese, pesto, sour cream, kefir and yogurt. Jodi says she encourages customers to purchase her products, and then enjoy their foods at the nearby Clarkdale Park. You needn’t be vegan or vegetarian to try Virgin Cheese. “Consumers are much more open to eating plant-based now and trying new lines,” says Jodi. “We have foodies that buy this cheese. They’re not plant-based. They’re not vegan. But it’s really good. It’ll surprise you.” − Teresa K. Traverse
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