2010 Award-Winning Year for Karoun Dairies

TURLOCK, Calif., Jan. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- California's Karoun Dairies, Inc., makers of handmade Mediterranean cheeses and natural yogurt products garnered 38 medals in 2010 for four different competitions, setting the gold standard for American cheesemaking. Three medals were awarded at the World Championship Cheese Contest, nine medals came from the California State Fair, five awards came from recognition at the American Cheese Society (Seattle, WA) and a staggering 21 medals were awarded at the 2010 Los Angeles International Dairy Competition (held in conjunction with the LA County Fair). The 2010 awards bring Karoun Dairies total medal and awards count to 118 over their 19 year history, making Karoun one of California's most decorated cheesemakers.

The year kicked off with the 2010 World Championship Cheese Contest, the largest international cheese and butter competition in the world. Of the 77 gold medal cheeses from cow, goat and sheep milk classes, Karoun's awards account for half of the gold medals awarded to California cheesemakers. This year's contest was the largest judging ever of its kind, with more than 2,300 entries from 20 countries, and thirty states. At the internationally recognized 2010 American Cheese Society Judging and Competition, Karoun was awarded three first place and two second place honors for their Kefir cheese (Labne), Queso Crema, Green Olive Feta, Goat Cheese Feta and the Smoked Mozzarella cheeses. Closer to home, 2010 was a banner year for Karoun Dairies as they received an impressive 30 medals in their home state of California with nine medals at the California State Fair and 21 medals (19 of which were gold) at the Los Angeles International Dairy Competition (held in conjunction with the LA County Fair).

In addition to the international prizes, Karoun itself has an international story, as the Baghdassarian Family immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 1990 to pursue the American Dream and a passion for the art and science of yogurt and cheesemaking. Karoun has grown from humble beginnings to being recognized as one of America's premier cheese companies.

"As a family business that is living the American Dream, all of us at Karoun Dairies take great pride in creating and manufacturing the most delicious, best quality handmade cheeses and natural yogurt products  on the market," said Rostom Baghdassarian, company COO. "Using old country methods and family recipes, we are proud to share delicious new options for a healthy and flavorful approach to cooking and eating."

As is evident by the 2010 awards, Karoun continues to set a new standard for Mediterranean cheeses and natural yogurt products in the United States, with dairy products which are made strictly using only milk from cows that are free from growth hormones, BGH/rBST, and Real California Milk certified.

About Karoun Dairies, Inc.: Founded in 1992, Karoun is rooted in its heritage as a family-run business started in search of fulfilling the American dream through their history in dairy dating back fifty years. The company has continued to grow from manufacturing hand braided String Cheese for local ethnic grocery stores, to producing a wide variety of handmade Mediterranean specialty cheeses and natural yogurt products with nationwide distribution. All Karoun cheeses are natural and handmade using only milk from cows that are free from growth hormones, BGH/rBST, and are Real California Milk certified. All Karoun's yogurt products (yogurt, Kefir Cheese (Labne) and Sour Cream) are all natural and OU Kosher certified. Please visit www.karouncheese.com.

For product samples, press materials, or further information, please contact Gillian Christie at 805-969-3744, or [email protected].

SOURCE Karoun Dairies, Inc.