Kamil Perry
German-owned discount supermarket chain Aldi has an impressive selection of affordable cheeses, with a variety that is much wider than you might expect. From multiple flavours of Havarti, flavoured cheese curds, funky artisanal cheeses, and even Trader Joe's-esque cheese hybrids, there's something for everyone. While some of their cheeses are considered a hard skip, such as their Parmesan, others are considered excellent, such as their dill-speckled Havarti, Mobay, and Emporium Selection butterkase.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Variety | More than 25 specialty cheeses, including imported options |
| Price | Affordable, with prices ranging from $2.30 to $4 for different types of cheese |
| Taste | Positive reviews for taste, with some exceptions |
| Texture | Options for creamy, crumbly, smooth, and spreadable textures |
| Type | Options for sliced, shredded, snacking, and spreadable cheese |
| Brand Comparison | Comparable to Trader Joe's and name-brand cheeses, with some differences in texture and taste |
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What You'll Learn
Aldi's Mobay cheese is a great-value alternative to French Morbier
Aldi's cheese selection is impressive, with a wide variety of affordable options. While some of their cheeses are just okay, others are considered excellent substitutes for pricier options. One such cheese is Aldi's Mobay, a great-value alternative to French Morbier.
Mobay is a semi-soft mixed milk cheese made from pasteurized goat's and sheep's milk. It is crafted by pressing together halves of goat's and sheep's milk cheeses, separated by a decorative layer of grape vine ash. This ash layer is a traditional French technique used in Morbier cheese to preserve leftover curds until the next day. Mobay's unique production process results in a complex and well-balanced flavour profile.
The goat's milk side of Mobay is bright white and tangy, with a "farmy-type" taste, while the sheep's milk side is ivory or pale yellow, richer, creamier, and sweeter, with grassy notes. When enjoyed together, these two halves create a smooth, round flavour with a subtle smokiness from the ash layer. Mobay pairs well with sweeter wines like Chenin Blanc or Riesling or with Belgian-style ales.
Aldi's Mobay is a wonderful alternative to French Morbier, both in terms of flavour and price. While Morbier is crafted from cow's milk, Mobay's use of goat's and sheep's milk results in a unique flavour profile that is worth exploring. So, if you're looking for a delicious and affordable cheese, Aldi's Mobay is an excellent option to consider.
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The best cheeses for an Aldi cheese board
Aldi is a great place to shop for cheese, with a wide variety of options at affordable prices. Here are some of the best cheeses to choose from when creating an Aldi cheese board:
Mobay
Mobay is a type of cheese that is similar to French Morbier, a layered goat and sheep's milk cheese. Aldi's Mobay features a grape vine ash pressed between layers of goat cheese and sheep's milk cheese, resulting in a creamy, earthy, and tangy flavour. It's a nice surprise on a cheese board and also works well in dishes like a Croque Monsieur.
Dill Havarti
Dill Havarti is another excellent option for an Aldi cheese board. This mild Danish cheese is cut with the brininess of dill, making it a versatile choice that can enhance many dishes. Try it in burgers, chef's salads, or grilled ham and cheese sandwiches.
Shredded Gouda
If you're looking for convenience and flavour, Aldi's shredded Gouda is a great choice. It's perfect for dishes like mac and cheese, saving you the effort of grating a whole wheel of cheese. The shredded Gouda from Aldi is just as rich and savoury as freshly grated Gouda.
Emporium Selection Butterkase
For those who prefer mild cheddar and the subtle flavour and nutty notes of Gouda, Emporium Selection Butterkase is an excellent choice. This cheese has a buttery flavour and consistency, making it ideal for melting. Use it in grilled cheese sandwiches or get creative with fancy mozzarella sticks.
Feta Crumbles
Aldi's Emporium Selection feta cheese crumbles offer a slight briny taste and just the right amount of creaminess. They are incredibly versatile and easy to sprinkle on a variety of dishes, making them a convenient and tasty addition to your cheese board.
Double-Crème Brie
Aldi's double-crème Brie is a popular choice for cheese boards and melty dishes. It offers a great balance of flavour and price, costing around $0.50 per ounce, making it a more affordable option compared to similar cheeses at other stores.
In addition to these suggestions, Aldi offers a vast selection of cheeses, including goat cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, blue cheese, and various types of cheddar. With its variety and affordability, Aldi is an excellent destination for creating a delicious and diverse cheese board.
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Aldi's goat cheese is better than Trader Joe's
For instance, Aldi's Honey Goat Cheese log costs $1.89, while Trader Joe's Honey Chevre costs $3.29. Despite the similar appearance and texture of the two cheeses, the latter has a slightly more complex flavour. Thus, if you prefer a milder, creamier flavour, Aldi's goat cheese is the better option.
Aldi's goat cheese also stands out in terms of texture and flavour in other varieties. One source mentions that Aldi's goat cheese had a smoother taste and held together better than Trader Joe's, making it ideal for a cheese board. Another source mentions that Aldi's goat cheese crumbles are preferable to their feta crumbles.
In addition to its goat cheese, Aldi offers a range of other cheeses at competitive prices. These include shredded gouda, dill-speckled havarti, and Mobay, a goat and sheep's milk cheese with grape vine ash pressed between its layers. Aldi's pre-grated cotija cheese is also a convenient and tasty option.
While Trader Joe's has its own unique offerings, such as its Unexpected Cheddar, Aldi's Emporium Selection vintage English cheddar is a comparable alternative at a lower price point. Ultimately, Aldi's goat cheese and other cheese selections are a better choice than Trader Joe's for those seeking quality, affordability, and, in some cases, a milder flavour.
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The best cheeses for snacking
Aldi has a wide variety of cheeses at affordable prices, making it a great place to shop for snacking cheeses. Here are some of the best options for snacking cheeses at Aldi:
Cheese Curds
Aldi offers interesting varieties of cheese curds, such as garlic, spicy, and Cajun-seasoned curds. These curds are perfect for snacking and can also be battered and fried for a delicious appetizer.
Gouda
Aldi's Gouda cheese is a popular choice for snacking. It has a creamy, sharp, and nutty flavor and comes in shredded, shredded plank, and aged varieties. The shredded Gouda is especially convenient for recipes like mac and cheese.
Havarti
Aldi offers several types of Havarti cheese, including plain, dill, and hatch pepper-laced varieties. The dill Havarti is a mild Danish cheese with a lush texture and briny flavor, making it perfect for snacking or adding to salads and sandwiches.
Mobay
Mobay is a type of cheese that combines goat cheese and sheep's milk cheese, with a layer of grape vine ash in between. This cheese has a creamy, earthy, and tangy flavor, making it a tasty addition to a snack board or a Croque Monsieur.
Mozzarella
Aldi's fresh mozzarella balls are nearly identical in taste to those from other stores but are available at a lower price. They have a stringy texture and light flavor, making them perfect for snacking or adding to dishes like caprese salad.
Feta Crumbles
Aldi's Emporium Selection feta cheese crumbles offer a slight briny taste and creamy texture at a more affordable price than other grocery stores. These crumbles are versatile and easy to sprinkle on salads or other dishes.
Brie
Aldi's double-crème Brie is a popular choice for cheese boards and melty dishes. It is available at a lower price than similar options at other stores, making it a great value for snacking.
Cheddar
While some of Aldi's sliced cheddars lack flavor, their medium cheddar has a classic, tangy, and salty taste. It also has the perfect thickness for sandwiches. The Emporium Selection Cheddar & Parmesan block is another great choice, offering a sharp bite and a crispy, crystallized texture.
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The best cheeses for melting
While there are no specific details on the quality of Aldi cheese, some online users have expressed disappointment with the melting capabilities of certain cheese products from the store. For instance, some commenters on Reddit expected to find halloumi cheese at Aldi, but were disappointed when the cheese they purchased melted through the grate tray and into the burners and floor of the air fryer.
However, other commenters have praised Aldi's cheese melt options, particularly for vegetarians. One user on Reddit noted that Aldi is the best option for cheese, especially for vegetarian cheese melts. Another user commented on the availability of vegetarian cheese melts at Aldi, which changed the game for them as they had previously assumed that cheese melts were not vegetarian-friendly.
In terms of specific cheese products, Aldi offers a Chipotle Queso with salsa that has received positive reviews for its smoky flavor. This product is suitable for melting and can be used in dishes like burritos.
Overall, while there are mixed reviews about the melting capabilities of certain Aldi cheese products, the store seems to offer a good range of options for those seeking vegetarian cheese melts and specific flavored cheeses for melting.
Cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be melted to create delicious dishes. When it comes to finding the best cheeses for melting, there are several varieties that stand out for their ability to transform into creamy, gooey goodness. Here are some of the top cheeses to consider:
- Mozzarella: This Italian classic is a go-to choice for melting. It has a high moisture content, which makes it ideal for stretching and melting. Mozzarella is perfect for pizzas, lasagnas, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Cheddar: A widely available and popular melting cheese, cheddar has a slightly sharp flavor and a creamy texture when melted. It is versatile and works well in grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and cheeseburgers.
- Gruyère: Hailing from Switzerland, Gruyère is a hard Swiss cheese with a nutty, sweet flavor. It melts exceptionally well and is often used in fondue. Gruyère adds a sophisticated touch to grilled cheese sandwiches, quiches, and soups.
- Monterey Jack: This American cheese has a mild flavor and an excellent melting ability. Monterey Jack is a common choice for Mexican dishes like quesadillas and chiles rellenos. It blends well with other cheeses and is a key ingredient in the famous "Chile Con Queso" dip.
- Provolone: With a slightly smoky flavor, provolone is an Italian cheese that melts beautifully. It is often used in sandwiches, paninis, and calzones. Provolone pairs well with meats and vegetables, adding a creamy texture to hot dishes.
- Gouda: Originating from the Netherlands, Gouda has a mild, buttery flavor and a smooth, creamy texture when melted. It is a fantastic choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, paninis, and baked dishes like casseroles and au gratin potatoes.
When selecting cheeses for melting, consider factors such as moisture content, fat content, and aging. Cheeses with higher moisture and fat content tend to melt more easily and smoothly. Younger cheeses also tend to melt better than aged cheeses, which can become oily or gritty when melted due to their lower moisture content.
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Frequently asked questions
Aldi's cheese selection is extensive, and while some varieties are considered mediocre, others are highly recommended.
Aldi's Mobay cheese, a goat and sheep's milk cheese with grape vine ash pressed between layers, is highly recommended. Other good cheeses include the Dill Havarti, Emporium Selection Butterkase, Emporium Selection feta cheese crumbles, and the Emporium Selection balsamic onion cheese.
The general consensus is that Aldi's Parmesan cheese is not a good option.
Aldi's double-crème Brie is a popular choice for a cheese board, as are the planks of Gouda, the goat cheese, and the Dill Havarti.
Aldi's shredded Gouda is recommended for mac and cheese, and the Emporium Selection Butterkase is good for melting.
