Ranking Trader Joe's Cheese From Worst To Best
If you have ever had to plan a get-together of any kind, you have probably considered serving a cheese board regardless of whether it's a dinner party or a reception. A cheese board is the perfect appetizer-style food for guests to enjoy throughout the evening, and cheese is sold in a variety of flavors and textures. If you're familiar with Trader Joe's, then you are probably well aware of the abundance of cheese varieties that you can shop for in-store.
Trader Joe's is an excellent supermarket to find a wide array of cheap cheese options. Even traditional flavors like cheddar are available in multiple varieties. And if your next occasion does not call for something like a charcuterie board, you can still use different flavors of cheese to reimagine your favorite dishes, from mac and cheese to pizza.
Now, there is a school of thought that argues that there is no such thing as a bad kind of cheese, and we are inclined to agree. However, not every cheese is going to be a home run for every person, and there are some flavors that are more universally loved than others. There are so many different cheeses that you can find at Trader Joe's, and some of these are definitely quite incredible.
12. Italian Truffle Cheese
In recent years, truffles have experienced a bit of an awakening in the culinary world. The distinctly flavorful fungus has appeared on more and more menus, particularly in the form of Truffle French Fries. But do not be surprised to find truffles in other dishes like Truffle Macaroni and Cheese and Truffle Mashed Potatoes. So, it is hardly surprising that Trader Joe's is getting in on the truffle frenzy with its very own Italian Truffle Cheese.
While this cheese sounds like a luxurious treat, some shoppers feel that it's a miss when compared to the other cheeses available at Trader Joe's. There are actually several truffle kinds of cheese available at Trader Joe's, including pecorino, brie, and regular cheddar. But one Trader Joe's shopper took to Reddit to rank the Italian Truffle Cheese at the bottom of their list, asserting that it's rather boring. Considering how powerful truffles are, we would think that any kind of cheese containing them would be much bolder than boring. And if you are paying top dollar for a truffle product, the payoff should be a flavor that's instantly noticeable when you take a bite.
11. 1,000-Day Gouda
Gouda is a wonderfully delicious cheese with a distinguishable flavor. It is commonly used as a bold cheese when making a dish like Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese. It is a wonderfully potent cheese in all the right ways, with notes of caramel that make it a top choice among cheese aficionados. Gouda is also a great cheese to include on your next Charcuterie Board, especially when paired with a glass of red wine.
Trader Joe's sells a 1,000-Day Gouda, aged in Holland (via Trader Joe's Reviews). We will point out that this product receives high marks from cheese lovers across the board. However, gouda is not always the easiest cheese to serve if you are new to the cheese game, nor is it necessarily the cheapest. It can set you back around $12 to $13 per pound, though many would argue it is worth the cost. It may be worth it to give this cheese a try if your budget allows it, but only if you know how to serve it properly.
10. Spicy Buffalo Cheddar
Cheese and buffalo sauce go hand-in-hand and come football season, Buffalo Chicken Dips are typically a-plenty at every watch party. So the idea of taking those flavors and compacting them into a block of cheddar cheese sounds almost too good to be true. While we wish we could report only good things about the Spicy Buffalo Cheddar at Trader Joe's, we have to be honest with you: Not everyone is a fan.
One Redditor pointed out that they had issues with the level of spice and the texture. They actually felt that the cheese was a bit too spicy and that the cheese had a strange Velveeta-like texture. Now, some of you may be fans of Velveeta, but we are not quite sure if that is the texture you are looking for when serving cheese and crackers at your next get-together. Given the consistency of the cheese, the same shopper who critiqued it on Reddit mentioned that it might work well as a cheese to be melted down and cooked in a dish like macaroni and cheese. Definitely proceed with caution on this one, and be aware that this might not be a good cheddar to slice and serve on its own as an appetizer.
9. Cambozola Triple Cream Soft Ripened Blue Cheese
Blue Cheese can be a polarizing food item, as its sharp flavor makes it one of those "love it or hate it" foods. The fact that it quite literally includes mold might be a reason that so many people are turned off by it, but fans of Blue Cheese never seemed to be bothered by that fact. It definitely has staying power, as it is believed that the cheese has been around for thousands of years. However, in this modern age, you can look no further than Trader Joe's Cambozola Triple Cream Soft Ripened Blue Cheese.
If you happen to be a fan of blue cheese, this might be right up your alley. It's definitely one of the better cheeses to look out for when stocking up on your next grocery run. Also, Trader Joe's Reviews have words of high praise for this cheese, with one comment noting that the cheese isn't too sharp. We are not sure if that is convincing enough for people who are opposed to blue cheese to give it a try, so if you are serving a large group of people, you may want to go for something a little more neutral and crowd-pleasing.
8. Unexpected Cheddar
If you have ever shopped for cheese at Trader Joe's, then you have probably heard of or come across the Unexpected Cheddar. It is practically a Trader Joe's staple at this point, and very few cheese boards are complete without cubes of the Unexpected Cheddar. But what is it about this cheese that is so universally loved? Isn't it just cheddar cheese? That is where the 'unexpected' namesake comes in. The cheese also contains notes of aged Parmesan, giving it an added surprise of flavor.
While the Unexpected Cheddar is popular among many shoppers, the cheese is not without its critics. One Redditor mentioned that they were curious to try it due to all of the hype surrounding it, but they didn't really enjoy it. Another Redditor mentioned that this cheese tasted like parmesan. It's definitely one of the safer cheeses you could serve to a crowd: Overall, this isn't a bad cheese by any means, but it's not life-changing either.
7. English Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions
There are a few major categories of cheese, and there are numerous different flavors within each category. In a world filled with so many varieties of cheddar cheese, it may be hard to stand out amongst the rest. While Trader Joe's sells a wide variety of cheeses, the English Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions is actually quite special. According to Trader Joe's, it can be served sliced with crackers or melted and put on top of a burger, so it definitely gets points for versatility.
Redditors have plenty of recommendations for how to use this cheese too. One Trader Joe's shopper suggested placing the cheese on slices of baguette and melting it under a broiler. If you're looking for a main course dish, reviewers also recommend using it in macaroni and cheese. Another Redditor shares that they stock up when on this cheese when their local Trader Joe's gets a shipment of this particular cheese and freeze extra pieces for future use. Since this cheese has so many different uses, you may need to buy it in bulk so that you do not run out too quickly.
6. Creamy Toscano Soaked in Syrah
Cheese and wine go together like peanut butter and jelly. There are all kinds of different combinations and ways to serve these two items together, and you can really impress your friends at a dinner party by offering truly unique wines and cheeses. So, why not meet the two in the middle and try a cheese that has been soaked in wine? Trader Joe's sells a couple of such hybrid creations, including its Creamy Toscano Soaked in Syrah. Several Redditors suggested the Syrah-soaked Toscano as a cheese of choice to serve at a gathering like a bridal shower, so it definitely fits the bill as a go-to party cheese.
Not everyone is impressed, however. Some took to the internet to voice their displeasure with this cheese, with one Redditor noting that they disposed of it straight away. What ensues is a back-and-forth between shoppers who either love or hate the cheese. Other Trader Joe's customers cannot get enough of this cheese, so the crowd seems split overall. If you spot the Creamy Toscana at a party, give it a try and see for yourself if you enjoy it.
5. Cranberry Chèvre Goat Cheese
Sometimes you have to take a bold stance to stand out in the cheese world. After all, it is estimated that there are more than 1,800 different kinds of cheeses out there, so fortune may indeed favor the bold if you want people talking about your particular flavor. Enter: Trader Joe's Chèvre Goat Cheeses. You can always purchase the store's garden-variety Goat Cheese, but why stop there?
As it turns out, there are a few really unique flavors that will add a pop of flavor as well as a spot of color to your next cheese board, and the Cranberry Chèvre Goat Cheese is one of these options. Mrs. Trader Joe's gives this cheese a 10/10 review, noting that the cranberries add a much-needed sweetness to the goat cheese. It was actually their preferred flavor out of all the goat cheeses available at Trader Joe's, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled the next time you are perusing the cheese section in your local store.
4. Toscano Cheese with Black Pepper
The name of Toscano cheese calls back to its Tuscan origins. This cheese has a milder flavor that makes for an excellent pizza topping if you want to switch it up from the usual mozzarella. But this cheese can be used on any number of dishes, thanks in part to that mild flavor that can work with so many other ingredients. Because this cheese typically has a milder flavor, some Toscano cheeses may contain an added ingredient or two to give it a little zing: Trader Joe's sells a Toscano Cheese with Black Pepper.
Customers cannot seem to get enough of this cheese over on Trader Joe's Reviews. One fan pointed out that they absolutely loved this cheese. The comments also had plenty of great things to say about this cheese's versatility, with reviewers noting that this cheese works well in dishes like grilled cheese, pasta, omelets, and of course, as an addition to a cheese board. Someone on Reddit who loves this particular cheese recommended eating the rind, which may seem like sacrilege at first, but it is actually where a ton of the flavor resides.
3. Manchego Añejo Cheese
Manchego is a semi-hard sheep cheese that is quite popular around the world. The Manchego Añejo Cheese available at Trader Joe's is aged: In fact, its name is derived from the aging process, with "añejo" signaling that the cheese has been aged for over one year. This cheese, in particular, has very specific food items that it complements very well (via Trader Joe's Reviews).
One Redditor, who was asked which cheese is the best one to buy at Trader Joe's, answered with Manchego cheese. Another reviewer chimed in, adding that not only is it the only cheese they will purchase, but that they purchase it in bulk every time.
Trader Joe's Food Reviews gave the cheese an 8 out of 10 rating on Instagram, with one comment asserting that it deserves a 12/10 rating. Another fan on Reddit was sure to include the Manchego Añejo Cheese as one of their non-negotiable cheeses to include on a board if you are serving a large crowd and want to make sure you're catering to every palate.
2. Saint André Triple Crème Brie
There are so many different incredible kinds of cheeses and flavors that are available at Trader Joe's, not to mention the fact that any one kind of cheese can vary greatly from the other, with some cheeses being more popular than others. When serving a crowd, brie makes for a solid go-to soft cheese option. Its mild flavor and creamy texture make for a perfect topping on any cracker or crostini, or it can be melted down to a tasty Baked Brie Bowl.
When it comes to Brie, look no further than the Saint André Triple Crème Brie from Trader Joe's. This Brie is packed with butterfat (no less than 75 percent, to be precise), which leads to this cheese having an ultra-creamy, super-spreadable texture. The triple creaminess stems from a combination of Brie, cream cheese, and whipped cream.
Like any other cheese, Brie is not going to be a home run for everybody. But this triple-creamy Brie might be the exception. One Redditor even pointed out that this cheese, in particular, actually changed their mind regarding brie cheese.
1. Blueberry Vanilla Chèvre Goat Cheese
Since there are many different kinds of cheese at Trader Joe's, it can be hard to pick one that is going to please every palate. So, you might as well go for one that is a true game-changer when building that perfect cheese board to serve your guests. Trader Joe's sells a few different kinds of Chèvre Goat Cheese, with the Blueberry Vanilla Chèvre Goat Cheese being the most surprising and unexpected option. Fruit-flavored cheeses can be a bit scary at first, but they actually lend themselves well to being a sweeter dessert cheese: Something truly unique that not many other kinds of cheese can claim.
While one Redditor admits that the blueberry-coated cheese log is not necessarily the most beautiful, it sure is delicious. Plus, blueberries are a great fruit to include in your daily diet, so we would like to imagine that having a slice or two of this goat cheese each day counts, right? This is the kind of cheese that your guests will remember and talk about for days to come, so go ahead and add it to your shopping cart the next time you head to the grocery store.