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Review by Ted Berg
2024-04-20T11:49:02Z
- I tried all the cheeses I could find at Trader Joe's and ranked each one from worst to best.
- I didn't like the white Stilton cheese with apricots at all.
- Trader Joe's creamy Toscano cheese soaked in syrah was my favorite.
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Trader Joe's has so many cheeses on its shelves that it can be hard to pick just one.
And as consumers are spending more of their hard-earned cash on groceries amid rising costs of food in the US, it's more important than ever to make sure you're getting a great value out of the items in your cart.
To find which cheeses you should really be buying at Trader Joe's right now, I purchased 17 different kinds at my local New York City location and tasted each one.
Here's how I'd rank them from worst to best — and which I'd definitely buy again.
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Trader Joe's white Stilton cheese with apricots was my least-favorite option.
Trader Joe's white Stilton cheese with apricots primarily tasted like the fruit, so it was cloyingly sweet.
I'd only pair the sweet cheese with a breakfast pastry. Still, I'd prefer to use jam or butter instead.
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The Comté cheese was too earthy for me.
I didn't like the Comté cheese because I thought it had a deep, unpleasant earthiness.
This option could be a conversation starter on a cheese board, but I'd pair it with fig jam to take the edge off the strong flavor.
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The Cotswold double-Gloucester cheese with onions and chives reminded me of a baked potato.
The Cotswold double-Gloucester cheese had a smooth, almost Velveeta-like texture. The assertive cheese's onion and chive flavors, which reminded me of a loaded baked potato, grew on me after a few bites.
I'd add this cheese to a steaming hot baked potato, with or without sour cream.
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The New Zealand sharp cheddar cheese had a unique aftertaste.
Trader Joe's New Zealand sharp cheddar cheese had a subtle, Swiss-like aftertaste that I didn't love.
However, I liked it better when I tried it alongside pepperoni.
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The fontina semisoft cheese wasn't memorable.
The fontina was soft, mild, and one of the most forgettable cheeses I tried. Its subtle flavor, milky texture, and red-wax coating reminded me of the Babybel cheeses I pack in my kids' lunches.
I used it to make a particularly creamy mac and cheese, which my family enjoyed.
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Trader Joe's Manchego cheese was fine.
The Manchego had a mild, buttery flavor with a hint of sweetness. I'd describe it as a refined Monterey Jack.
It didn't wow me, but it would probably be good on a burger.
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The cheddar cheese with scotch-bonnet chile and red peppers had a nice kick to it.
The cheddar cheese with scotch-bonnet chile and red peppers was one of the strongest options I tried. It was very sweet, fairly spicy, and soft, like a classic pimento cheese.
I could see it serving as a great starter for a spicy cheese dip.
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The creamy Danish Havarti cheese would be great on sandwiches.
The Havarti had a creamy texture and mild flavor that could work in plenty of dishes.
It would probably be great on sandwiches, especially because Havarti tends to melt well.
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Trader Joe's goat-milk cheddar-style cheese was tangy.
Trader Joe's goat-milk cheddar-style cheese was a great option. It had a sharp, familiar cheddar flavor and a tanginess from the goat milk.
It was surprisingly creamy for a firm cheese. I'd use it on a roasted-turkey sandwich with cranberry mayo.
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Trader Joe's Camembert was a smooth, subtle cheese.
Trader Joe's Camembert was silky and mildly earthy. It would be a great mild option on a cheese plate alongside bold flavors like salami or chorizo.
I might also spread some on a fresh baguette.
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The Unexpected cheddar was one of the best cheeses I tried.
I didn't expect Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar to be the best cheddar I tried, but its dry, pleasantly grainy texture and sharp, tangy flavor were addictive.
Next time I make chili, I'll be grating this on top.
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The Chiave d' Oro raw-milk hard cheese was nutty and mild.
Trader Joe's Chiave d' Oro, which translates from Italian to "golden key," was a hard cheese that was surprisingly creamy in texture. It had a mild, nutty flavor and bitter rind.
I'd pair it with honey on a charcuterie board or add it to a salad with a sweet vinaigrette.
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Trader Joe's goat's-milk Gouda-style cheese was milder than I expected.
I love Gouda-style goat cheese, so I was excited to try this option from Trader Joe's.
I was initially disappointed that the goat's-milk Gouda-style cheese tasted milder than expected. Still, it had a subtle earthy flavor and a delicious creamy texture on a cracker. It was especially tasty when paired with a slice of spicy soppressata.
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My kids were fans of the Iberico cheese.
This 4-month-old Spanish cheese made with cow, goat, and sheep's milk was hard and sharp, like a buttery Parmesan.
I could see it pairing well with red wine or fruit, like sliced pears. My Parmesan-loving kids liked this cheese the best.
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Trader Joe's raw-milk cave-aged Le Gruyère was delicious.
The cave-aged Le Gruyère was especially tasty because of its hearty spiciness, earthiness, and delicately granular texture.
It was a powerful cheese that I'd imagine pairing well with whiskey. To serve, it doesn't need much more than a simple cracker.
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Trader Joe's bucheron was more flavorful than I expected it to be.
Though Trader Joe's bucheron was the last cheese I tried, it was the option I ate the most of. The soft-ripened goat's-milk cheese had an intense flavor that came on slowly.
It had a soft, creamy texture and pleasant tanginess. It would likely make a tasty, indulgent addition to a salad.
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The creamy Toscano cheese soaked in syrah was my winner.
The creamy Toscano soaked in syrah was the clear-cut favorite for me and my wife. It was creamy and granular, sharp and sweet, with only a breath of wine flavor.
This cheese paired nicely with a sweet cracker — I'd recommend the Carr's whole-wheat variety or anything with dried fruit.
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