Cheesemaker features on BBC Two factory show

Gateshead-based Primula Cheese gave viewers a rare opportunity to see how spreadable cheese tubes were made on the BBC Two show, which is presented by Gregg Wallace and Cherry Healey.

Wallace followed the production of Primula Cheese ‘n’ Jalapeños, from a 28,000-litre delivery of milk to 5,400 cheese tubes. The MasterChef judge was invited to chop 344kg of Cheddar and Gouda to make the base for his cheese, before blending it with whey, water and jalapeños to keep it soft and spreadable.

Healey discovered how bacteria were responsible for the huge variety in smell, taste and appearance of different types of cheese. She also learned the scientific rules for making the perfect cheese on toast.

Primula managing director Paul Lewney said he “couldn’t wait”​ for viewers to see how its spreadable cheese was made.

‘Fresh ingredients into our tubes’​

“We’ve come across so many people over the years who don’t understand how we’re able to get real cheese and other fresh ingredients into our tubes,”​ he explained.

“We’re really proud of our team, our operations and our fantastic products that are all made right here in the north-east and we were delighted to be given this opportunity to show the nation just how much hard work is put in to producing our spreadable cheese.”​

Based in Gateshead, Primula recently introduced the Union Jack on its tubes to highlight that it is made in Britain.

Its squeezy cheese range consists of Original Cheese, Cheese ‘n’ Chives, Cheese ‘n’ Ham, Cheese ‘n’ Prawns, Cheese ‘n’ Smoked Salmon, Cheese ‘n’ Jalapeños, Cheese ‘n’ Paprika, Cheese ‘n’ Peri Peri and Light Cheese. Primula also has a range of tubs and dips.

“We’re very excited about our new Flavour Burst range, which targets a younger audience and includes Paprika and Peri Peri, as well as Jalapeños, providing a great as an alternative to grated cheese,”​ Lewney said.

The world’s first spreadable cheese​

Primula has been around for almost a century, having been launched as the world’s first spreadable cheese by Norwegian Olav Kavli in 1924. Five years later, Primula made its way to the UK.

Primula remains part of the Kavli Group, which itself is owned by the Kavli Trust – a charitable organisation based in Norway that supports humanitarian work, research and culture in the UK and around the world.

In the UK, the Kavli Group also owns St Helen’s Farm, the UK’s largest goats’ milk producer, and pâté producer Castle MacLellan.

Now in its fourth series, Inside the Factory has profiled the operations of some of the UK’s best-known food and drink brands.

Inside the Factory with Primula Cheese airs again on Sunday (31 March) at 6pm, and is available on BBC iPlayer.

Historian Ruth Goodman also features in the show, looking at how cheddar became the predominant hard cheese choice of the world.

Birds Eye’s Lowestoft factory​​ and Molson Coors’ Burton upon Trent brewery​​ have also featured in the latest series.