Tillamook Cream Cheese Ranked Best Over Philadelphia

The Oregon-based dairy brand's new brick-style cream cheese beats out the classic Philadelphia in a blind taste test.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:25pm

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A vibrant, silkscreen-style grid of neon-colored cream cheese containers, abstracting the everyday dairy product into a modern, eye-catching work of pop art.A bold, pop art-inspired celebration of Tillamook's surprising victory over Philadelphia in the cream cheese taste test.Tillamook Today

In a blind taste test of several cream cheese brands, Tillamook's new brick-style cream cheese was ranked the best, edging out the popular Philadelphia brand. Tillamook's cream cheese was praised for its superior flavor, light texture, and supreme spreadability compared to the saltier and sharper Philadelphia variety.

Why it matters

The results of this taste test highlight how consumer preferences are shifting, with a lesser-known brand like Tillamook able to outperform an iconic product like Philadelphia cream cheese. This could signal changing tastes and a willingness among consumers to try new dairy products beyond the traditional market leaders.

The details

Tillamook cream cheese received the highest ranking in the taste test for its mild, subtly sweet flavor with the right amount of tang, as well as its lighter, more spreadable texture compared to the cold, unspreadable chunks of Philadelphia. Tillamook also blends better into recipes like dips and frostings. Nutritionally, Tillamook has slightly more calories and fat per serving, but less sodium than Philadelphia.

  • Tillamook debuted its brick-style cream cheese in 2024.
  • The taste test was conducted in March 2026.

The players

Tillamook

An Oregon-based dairy company that produces over 200 milk-based products, including its new brick-style cream cheese that was ranked best in the taste test.

Philadelphia

The iconic cream cheese brand that was ranked second in the taste test, known for its saltier and sharper flavor profile compared to Tillamook.

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The takeaway

This taste test result shows that consumers are open to trying new dairy products beyond the traditional market leaders, and that a lesser-known brand like Tillamook can outperform an iconic product like Philadelphia cream cheese through superior flavor and texture.