Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze, Ústav konzervace potravin / DEPARTMENT OF FOOD PRESERVATION - FACULTY OF FOOD AND BIOCHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY  

Milk product

ECOTROPHELIA CZECH REPUBLIC 2012 - Or/Gold
ECOTROPHELIA EUROPE 2012 - Not awarded

GLADIATOR

Processed cheese with barley pearls.

Processed cheese enriched with barley pearls is a novelty, which seeks to facilitate the return of barley, to diet of Czech consumers. Barley was grown abundantly in times of Ancient Rome. Barley porridge was the major component of food of ancient fighters - gladiators. Barley helped them to grow and maintain the perfect condition in the difficult environment in which they lived. Hence the name of the product – Gladiator – came. The beneficial effects of barley on cardiovascular and digestive system were recognized in 2006 by the U.S. FDA. Soluble fibre helps to eliminate cholesterol and maintain a stable blood sugar and insulin levels. The content of beta-glucans also increases the body's resistance to viral, bacterial and fungal diseases. Gladiator is a source of protein (21.6%), fat (26.7%) and fibre (2.9%). The whole production process is more environmentally friendly than by other processed cheese, thanks to the addition of barley pearls. Cultivation of barley is not as difficult as the production of milk, it significantly reducing for example emissions. It is not necessary to melt a quantity of cheese; the water and energy are saved in the process. One of the innovative features of the product is specific communication with the consumer. Through QR code, any owner of a smartphone can immediately connect to the product website. For children is intended a special application from the gladiator environment. It offers fun such as an educational point of view because it focuses on the principles of good nutrition and ecology. Gladiator is for its unique texture packed into jars with re-openable lids. Its taste and smell is kept for a long time and the barley beads are pronounced. These pearls represent a welcome diversification of processed cheese market.