Jalapeño Cream Cheese

“Cream cheese” is a soft, spreadable cheese usually associated with Philadelphia. “Jalapeño cream cheese” brings some heat by adding the Texas state pepper, the jalapeño. Jalapeño cream cheese has become popular since the early 1990s, especially when spread upon a bagel.
   
 
Wikipedia: Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a sweet, soft, mild-tasting, white cheese that contains at least 33% milkfat (as marketed) with a moisture content of not more than 55%, and a pH range of 4.4 to 4.9. It is sold in brick form or in a small, tub-like container. Variety brands add seasonings such as garlic, chives, dill, olives, and even smoked salmon.
 
Cream cheese differs from other soft cheeses (such as Brie and Neufchâtel) in that it is not naturally matured and is meant to be consumed fresh. Boursin cheese is a European cheese more comparable to cream cheese in taste, texture, and production methods.
 
Origin
According to food manufacturer Kraft:
 
Cream cheese originated in the United States in 1872 when a dairyman in Chester, New York, developed a ‘richer cheese than ever before,’ made from cream as well as whole milk. Then in 1880, a New York cheese distributor, A. L. Reynolds, first began distributing cream cheese wrapped in tin-foil wrappers, calling it Philadelphia Brand….The name “Philadelphia Brand cream cheese” was adopted by Reynolds for the product because at that time, top-quality food products often originated in or were associated with the city, and were often referred to as being “Philadelphia quality.”
 
Cooks.com
JALAPENO CREAM CHEESE  
Soften 2 large packaged Philadelphia Style Cream Cheese and blend in 2 heaping spoonfuls of mayonnaise and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Blend until smooth and no longer lumpy.
Dice very fine 1-2 jalapenos removing the seeds and the stem. Can add jalapeno juice too. Add to the smoothed cream cheese and blend lightly.
 
This mixture can be used as a dip or spread between 2 slices of bread (sandwich style) and cut as finger sandwiches. Garnish with parsley and/or paprika. The longer the cheese and peppers “sit” the HOTTER this mixture becomes.
   
Google Groups: austin.general
Newsgroups: austin.general
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Leslie Devlin)
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 94 05:18:16 GMT
Local: Fri, Apr 22 1994 1:18 am
Subject: Re: Bagels in Austin?
 
Hot Jumbo Bagel.  They’re on the south side of the Bank One parking garage, and not only do they have yummy bagels but they also have good flavored cream cheese to go with them.
-Leslie, who’s partial to the jalapeno cream cheese
 
Google Groups: rec.food.cooking
Newsgroups: rec.food.cooking
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Scott Watson )
Date: 1995/09/25
Subject: Re: Red Lobster “Poppers” 
 
The company that makes the poppers sold in every place I know is Anchor, P.O. Box 2164, Appleton, WI 54913, Phone (800)852-7412. Just about every foodservice supplier carries them, so get chummy with a bar owner and they’ll order you a case at less than Sam’s charges.  Currently, they come in six styles: Jalapeno/Cheddar, Red Chile/Cream Cheese, Tequila, Italian, Jalapeno/Cream Cheese, and Gyro.   
 
Google Groups: rec.climbing
Newsgroups: rec.climbing, rec.backcountry
From: jen logan
Date: 1996/09/25
Subject: Re: What do you eat on long hikes and in cold weather ? 
 
Bagels,  preferably lavished with jalapeno cream cheese. 
     
Google Groups: rec.arts.fandom
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.fandom
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (P Nielsen Hayden)
Date: 1998/05/19
Subject: Re: The Green Green Grass of Home.
 
Down the street from Tor is a new bagel place that makes a fine sandwich of smoked turkey, diced greenchiles, and jalapeno cream cheese.  Life is way too short for purism.
     
Google Groups: ne.general.selected
Newsgroups: ne.general.selected, ne.general, ne.food
From: “Michael J. Saletnik”

Date: 6 Feb 2002 08:58:54 -0500
Local: Wed, Feb 6 2002 9:58 am
Subject: Re: Bruegger’s Bagels in Harvard Sq. - CLOSED??? 
 
Ah, while I have no idea about direct set, I can say that Brueggers’ jalapeno cream cheese is the perfect compliment to a bagel in the morning.
 
The only thing that comes even close is the salsa cream cheese that (the one in the area remaining) Einstein’s has.
 
Jalapeño Girl
Weak Ass Jalapeno Cream Cheese Spread
I won’t yet name the bagel place that I hit up this morning. Let’s hope it’s not a trend to have cream cheese with overly mild jalapenos. Nothing messes the start of the day up like weak jalapenos. There was probably a fluke. Consider the variations on peppers that I buy at the store, it looks like the bagel shop got a weak batch. I have ordered the jalapeno cream cheese from this chain before. The results are usually spicy and hot, of a most satisfying nature. Leave me with slight sweat beads on my upper lip and I’ll love ya forever. Today’s cream cheese was so mild, I thought the bright green crunchy bits were green bell pepper rather than jalapenos. Good to know I got some Vitamin C but I’m left asking, “Where’s the heat?”
April 20, 2007