Frederic Melton
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese has been a fan favourite since its launch in 2011, winning the Customer Choice Award for best cheese multiple times. Its unique flavour profile combines the boldness of aged cheddar with the nutty nuance of rich, Italian parmesan. The cheese is also noted for its crumbly, parmesan-like texture. But is it suitable for vegetarians?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Sharp, tangy, nutty, savory |
| Texture | Crumbly, crystalline, slightly harder than normal cheddar |
| Taste | Complex, surprising, changes as it melts in the mouth |
| Awards | Trader Joe's Customer Choice Award for Best Cheese (seven times), Inducted into Product Hall of Fame in 2023 |
| Spinoffs | Broccoli cheddar soup, cheese spread, chicken sausage, shredded cheese, cheese & turkey sausage egg white bites |
| Price | $3.99 for seven ounces |
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What You'll Learn
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese is a versatile cheese
The uniqueness of this cheddar lies in its complex combination of flavours and textures. While it has the boldness and sharpness of aged cheddar, it also offers a subtle, tangy, nutty, and buttery taste, reminiscent of Italian cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, and Grana Padano. This blend of flavours makes it stand out from other cheddars and gives it a more sophisticated profile, akin to what one might find at a wine bar.
The texture of the Unexpected Cheddar is also noteworthy. It is slightly crumbly and crystalline, like Parmesan, yet still melts beautifully, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, and even a simple fettuccine. Its crumbly nature also makes it a great addition to charcuterie boards, where it can be paired with crackers, fruits, meats, and spreads. The cheese's strong yet balanced flavour makes it a perfect snacking cheese as well, pairing well with fresh fruits like apples and grapes.
Beyond its traditional uses, the Unexpected Cheddar has inspired a line of spinoff products, including the Unexpected Cheddar Spread, Unexpected Cheddar Chicken Sausage, and Shredded Unexpected Cheddar Cheese. These products showcase the versatility of the cheese and offer convenient options for consumers to enjoy its unique flavour. The spread, for example, can be used as a quick and easy sauce for mac and cheese, adding a creamy and tangy twist to the classic dish.
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese is a delightful surprise for cheese enthusiasts, offering a complex and intriguing flavour profile that elevates any dish or snack it's added to. Its versatility, unique taste, and affordable price point make it a beloved and award-winning choice for many.
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It has a unique flavour profile
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese has a unique flavour profile that has garnered a lot of attention. It has been described as having a surprisingly complex flavour profile that combines the boldness of aged cheddar with the nutty nuance of rich, Italian parmesan. The first bite is reminiscent of many good aged cheddars, with a clear tangy punch of sharp cheddar mixed with a buttery richness. However, as the cheese melts in your mouth, the flavour and texture change, developing into something unexpected.
The aged cheddar flavour blends with hints of parmesan, adding a subtle, tangy note and a crumbly, crystalline texture. The saltiness becomes more pronounced, and the nuttiness of the parmesan adds an extra layer of depth, giving the cheese an umami character. This unique combination of flavours leaves first-time eaters guessing as to what type of cheese it is, and its versatility makes it a perfect addition to any charcuterie board or snack plate.
The texture of the cheese is also unique, with a slight crumbliness that is unlike most cheddars. It melts well, making it a good choice for grilled cheese sandwiches or blended into creamy mac and cheese. It can also be shredded, grated, or sliced, adding to its versatility. The wide range of tastes and textures means Unexpected Cheddar can work in various dishes, from pasta sauces to eggs.
The complex and surprising flavour profile of Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese has made it a fan favourite, winning the store's Customer Choice Award for Best Cheese multiple times and even being inducted into the Product Hall of Fame. Its success has led to the creation of an entire Unexpected" line at Trader Joe's, including Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread, Unexpected Cheddar Chicken Sausage, and Shredded Unexpected Cheddar Cheese.
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It has a crumbly texture
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese has a unique texture that sets it apart from other cheddars. It is known for its crumbly, crystalline texture, which is reminiscent of Parmesan. This crumbly texture is a result of its transformation from the creaminess of young cheddar to a more granular, Parmesan-like consistency. The cheese starts off smooth but becomes relatively harder, eventually landing between granular and melty.
The crumbly texture of the Unexpected Cheddar makes it a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. While it can be challenging to slice into perfect squares for a charcuterie board, its crumbly nature makes it ideal for grating or shredding. It can also be melted, adding a bold layer of umami flavour without overpowering the dish. This makes it a great option for grilled cheese, mac and cheese, or even as a topping for vegetarian fettuccine.
The unique texture of the Unexpected Cheddar is a key factor in its popularity and has helped it win the title of best cheese at Trader Joe's Customer Choice Awards multiple times. Its crumbly, crystalline texture, combined with its complex and surprising flavour profile, creates a truly "unexpected" experience for cheese lovers. The cheese's versatility and distinct texture have also led to the creation of an entire Unexpected line at Trader Joe's, including products such as Unexpected Cheddar Chicken Sausage and Shredded Unexpected Cheddar Cheese.
The texture of the Unexpected Cheddar is an important aspect of its overall appeal and contributes to its status as a cult favourite among Trader Joe's customers. Its crumbly nature sets it apart from traditional cheddars and adds to its uniqueness, making it a delightful discovery for cheese enthusiasts. Whether enjoyed on its own, as part of a charcuterie board, or incorporated into recipes, the Unexpected Cheddar's texture is a defining characteristic that enhances its flavour and versatility.
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It is a viral sensation
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese has become a viral sensation, and for good reason. This unique cheese has been a fan favourite since its release in 2011, and its popularity has only grown over the years. The name "Unexpected Cheddar" hints at the complex and surprising flavour profile that sets it apart from other cheddars on the market.
The cheese combines the boldness of aged cheddar with the nutty, tangy nuances of Italian Parmesan, resulting in a flavour and texture that are truly unexpected. The first bite delivers the sharp, tangy punch of classic sharp cheddar, but as the cheese melts in your mouth, it transforms into something entirely different. The clear comparisons beyond the cheddar are cheeses like pecorino, parmesan, and grana padano. It has a slightly crumbly, crystalline texture that adds to its unique character.
The versatility of Unexpected Cheddar is another factor in its viral success. It's an excellent choice for charcuterie boards, pairing perfectly with crackers, olives, jam, and salami. Its strong yet balanced flavour also makes it a great snacking cheese, especially with fresh fruit like apples and grapes. Beyond the board, Unexpected Cheddar is a versatile ingredient. It melts beautifully, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, creamy pasta sauces, eggs, and even mac and cheese.
The popularity of Unexpected Cheddar has led to the creation of an entire "Unexpected" line at Trader Joe's, including Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread, Unexpected Cheddar Chicken Sausage, Shredded Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, and Unexpected Cheddar Cheese & Turkey Sausage Egg White Bites. The original cheese has even won the store's Customer Choice Award for Best Cheese multiple times and was inducted into the Product Hall of Fame in 2023. It's safe to say that Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese has earned its place as a viral sensation and a beloved favourite among cheese enthusiasts.
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It is a great value product
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese is a great-value product. It has been a fan favourite since its introduction in 2011, and its popularity has only grown since then. The cheese has been voted the best by customers in Trader Joe's annual survey seven times over the past 12 years and has even been inducted into the Product Hall of Fame. At $3.99 for seven ounces, it is a budget-friendly option that delivers more than what you pay for.
The unique flavour profile of the Unexpected Cheddar sets it apart from other cheddars. It has a surprisingly complex combination of flavours, with hints of parmesan and a nutty nuance that adds depth to the cheese. The first bite delivers the familiar tang of sharp cheddar, but as the cheese melts in your mouth, the flavour and texture evolve, making it truly "unexpected". The texture is also unique, with a crumbly, crystalline structure that is reminiscent of parmesan.
The versatility of the Unexpected Cheddar makes it a great value. It can be enjoyed on its own, paired with wine, or added to dishes like pasta, eggs, and toast. It is also perfect for charcuterie boards, pairing well with crackers, fruits, meats, and spreads. The shredded and spreadable versions of the cheese further expand its versatility and convenience.
The Unexpected Cheddar's popularity has led to the creation of an entire "Unexpected" line at Trader Joe's, including products such as Unexpected Cheddar Chicken Sausage, Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread, and Unexpected Cheddar Cheese & Turkey Sausage Egg White Bites. This expansion of the Unexpected brand showcases the success and value of the original Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, which continues to be a beloved and affordable favourite among customers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is made with vegetable rennet.
It has a complex flavour profile, with hints of aged cheddar, nuttiness, and parmesan. It is sharp, tangy, and buttery, with an earthy, umami character.
It has a crumbly, crystalline texture, reminiscent of parmesan, but it still melts well.
It is a versatile cheese that can be used in many dishes. It is great on a charcuterie board, melted on toast, added to pasta sauces, or folded into eggs. It can also be used in grilled cheese sandwiches or mac and cheese.
