Patrick Oconnell
Cheddar cheese is a hard cheese with a sharp, tangy, and creamy flavour. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, or simply enjoyed on its own. When it comes to finding the best-flavoured cheddar cheese, there are several factors to consider, such as texture, origin, and taste. Some popular cheddar cheese brands include Kerrygold, Cabot, Tillamook, and Cracker Barrel, each offering unique characteristics and flavours. Personal preferences, such as saltiness or creaminess, also play a role in determining the best-flavoured cheddar cheese. Additionally, factors like artificial ingredients, sodium content, and dairy-free options can influence the choice of the best-flavoured cheddar cheese for specific dietary needs and preferences.
Characteristics of the Best Flavored Cheddar Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Bright, tangy note of lactic sourness, well-balanced sharpness, salty, bold, floral, grassy, spicy, nutty, milky, buttery, zesty, creamy, crumbly, bitter, mild, sharp |
| Texture | Smooth, meltable, crumbly, bendy, oily, sliceable, spreadable |
| Color | White, orange, yellow |
| Type | Dairy, plant-based |
| Additives | Food-safe coloring agents, anti-caking agents, enzymes |
| Sodium Content | Varied, but typically higher than other cheeses |
| Calcium Content | Higher than softer cheeses |
| Protein Content | Varied, but plant-based options tend to have less protein |
| Fat Content | Varied, but plant-based options may have less saturated fat |
| Sugar Content | No added sugars in some plant-based options |
| Brand | Kerrygold, Sartori, Trader Joe's, Kraft, Cracker Barrel, Cabot, Tillamook, Sargento, Boar's Head, Miyoko's Creamery, Organic Valley |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Best nationally available cheddar cheese
Cheddar is the most popular cheese in the United Kingdom and the second most popular in the United States, trailing only mozzarella. It is made from milk, usually from a cow, which is added to cultures and rennet to curdle. The curds are then cut, stacked, and flipped in a process called cheddaring, which removes excess moisture until the cheese reaches a semi-firm texture. Cheddar gets sharper, tangier, and more pleasantly sour the longer it's aged.
When it comes to choosing the best nationally available cheddar cheese, it's important to consider your intended use and personal flavor preferences. If you're using it in a recipe, milder to medium cheddars are better for melting, while older cheddars will have a more robust flavor but won't melt as well. Additionally, some cheddars are loaded with artificial colors and additives, so choosing a brand without these ingredients will ensure you get a high-quality product.
- Whole Foods' house brand: This cheddar scored high in rankings for flavor, texture, and ideal saltiness.
- Sargento Sharp Cheddar: This cheese is described as "distinctly sharp and tangy" and "mild but nutty in a good way." It's a good choice for cheeseburgers as it comes pre-sliced or shredded for convenience.
- Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar: This cheese has a complex flavor profile and a delightfully soft texture. It's a good option for a cheese board.
- Cabot Vermont Sharp Cheddar: This cheese scored well in blind taste tests, with tasters commenting that it "tastes like cheddar should taste."
- Tillamook Medium White Cheddar: This cheese is a good option for those who prefer a milder flavor. It's made without artificial coloring and provides 15% of your daily calcium needs.
- Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar: This plant-based cheddar looks and tastes like aged cheddar, with a tangy, crumbly texture reminiscent of Parmesan cheese. It's a unique option for a cheese board.
- Kraft Deli Deluxe American Cheese Slices: These slices offer a nice balance between processed cheese and mild cheddar. They have a velvety texture and a savory tang, melting wonderfully in grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Organic Valley American Cheese Slices: These slices are ideal for those who don't usually like American cheese, as they have a more cheese-like flavor and consistency without the plasticky feel of other American cheeses.
Cheddar Cheese Softness: What's the Right Texture?
You may want to see also
Best mild cheddar cheese
Mild cheddar cheese is a versatile and flavourful option for those who prefer a less sharp taste. It is also a good choice for those watching their salt intake, as older cheddars tend to have higher sodium levels. When shopping for mild cheddar, it is best to know how you plan to use it, as this will affect the type of mild cheddar you should buy. For example, if you are planning to melt the cheese, a mild to medium cheddar is best, as older cheddars will not melt as well.
Tillamook's Medium White Cheddar Cheese is a popular choice for those looking for a milder flavour. Made with milk, salt, and enzymes, it is free from artificial colouring, which is often added to cheddar to make it neon orange. Tillamook's cheddar is also a good source of calcium, providing 15% of your daily needs per serving. In terms of taste, it has been described as well-rounded, with a flavour that "metamorphosed with every bite". It has also been called "bangin'" and is said to be versatile enough to top anything from a baked potato to apple pie.
If you are looking for a mild cheddar with a more complex flavour profile, Cracker Barrel's cheddar has been described as "a bit too gourmet" with "buttery notes and a delightfully soft texture". This cheese is also conveniently available at most grocery stores.
For those who follow a dairy-free or vegan lifestyle, Miyoko's Creamery offers a plant-based Roadhouse Cheddar Cheese Spread. While it has less protein than dairy cheese, it provides the same tangy taste and crumbly texture as regular cheddar.
Mature Cheddar Cheese: Is Pasteurization a Must?
You may want to see also
Best sharp cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is a hard cheese with a high concentration of calcium due to the evaporation process. It typically has more sodium than other cheeses, which can be an issue for those watching their salt intake. When it comes to flavour, a good cheddar should have a bright, tangy note of lactic sourness without tasting like spoiled milk or funky yogurt. This well-balanced sharpness should complement the natural creaminess of the cheese.
In terms of texture, a good cheddar should be semi-firm and slice cleanly without crumbling. It should also melt well, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, or cheesy sweet potatoes.
Kerrygold
Kerrygold, an Irish cheddar, is known for its electric sharpness and slight crumble when raw. It melts beautifully and has a distinct "milky" flavour woven into its intensity. In grilled cheese sandwiches, a gentle nuttiness comes to the fore.
Boar's Head
Boar's Head cheddar is aged in wax, which results in a luxurious finish. Tasters noted its savory sharpness and a "roasty, toasty Cheez-It" flavour.
Tillamook
Tillamook offers a well-rounded cheddar that can be used in a variety of dishes, from baked potatoes to apple pie. Their Medium White Cheddar is a milder option made without artificial colouring.
Cabot
Cabot's Vermont Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese is a good choice for a charcuterie board. They also offer a habanero-infused cheddar that delivers on spice and has a fruity flavour from real habanero peppers.
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel cheddar cheese is a classic, launched by Kraft in 1954. Its bricks are shaped to provide little squares that are perfect for piling on crackers. This Vermont sharp cheddar is tasty without being overly fancy.
Other notable mentions include Cougar Gold, Black Diamond Grand Reserve, CROC Extra Sharp, and Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar, which has a tangy, crumbly texture.
Why Cheddar Cheese Cravings: What Your Body Needs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Best flavoured cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is a hard cheese with a high calcium content, and its flavour varies from mild to sharp. The best flavoured cheddar cheese will depend on individual preferences, but here is a list of some of the best-flavoured cheddar cheeses available:
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese
Tillamook offers a range of cheddar cheeses, including Medium Cheddar and Sharp Cheddar. Tillamook's Medium Cheddar is a milder cheese made with milk, salt, and enzymes, without any artificial colouring. It has a creamy, smooth texture and a world of flavour. Tillamook's Sharp Cheddar is also highly rated and versatile, pairing well with various dishes, from baked potatoes to apple pie.
Kerrygold Cheddar Cheese
Kerrygold is an Irish cheddar known for its bold and intense flavour. Its texture has a slight crumble when raw, and it melts beautifully, making it a great option for grilled cheese sandwiches. Its flavour profile includes a distinct "milky" taste and a gentle nuttiness.
Boar's Head Cheddar Cheese
Boar's Head offers both yellow Wisconsin cheddar and white Vermont cheddar, aged in wax. Its luxurious finish and savoury sharpness impressed tasters, leaving a long-lasting impression on the palate.
Cabot Cheddar Cheese
Cabot offers a range of cheddar cheeses, including the Vermont Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese, perfect for charcuterie boards, and the Alpine Cheddar Cheese, which has a creamy texture with hints of Parmesan. Cabot's Habanero-infused Cheddar Cheese is another unique option, delivering on its promise of heat and a nice, fruity flavour.
Cracker Barrel Cheddar Cheese
Cracker Barrel's Vermont sharp cheddar cheese is a classic, launched by Kraft in 1954. Its brick shape makes it ideal for slicing and piling on crackers. It has a tasty, buttery flavour without being overly fancy.
Miyoko's Creamery Roadhouse Cheddar Cheese Spread
For a plant-based option, Miyoko's Creamery offers a delicious cheddar cheese spread made predominantly with cashew milk, coconut oil, and organic rice miso. It has a bold, sharp flavour and less saturated fat, sodium, and sugar than other brands.
Vermont Cheddar Cheese: A Taste of Sharp, Tangy, and Rich
You may want to see also
Best vegan cheddar cheese
While vegan cheese has come a long way in recent years, it can be hard to find a plant-based cheddar that truly hits the spot. Here are some of the best options available:
Miyoko's Creamery
Miyoko's Creamery offers a delicious plant-based Roadhouse Cheddar Cheese Spread that's bold and sharp. It's predominantly made with cashew milk, coconut oil, and organic rice miso, giving it that beloved tang. This cheese has less saturated fat and sodium than other brands, but it also contains less protein than dairy cheese. It's a great option for a cracker but might not be the best for those looking for a protein boost.
Violife
Violife is a popular vegan cheese brand, and its cheddar slices are a favorite among many. They're a good option for those who want something cheesy, and they melt well, making them perfect for recipes like cauliflower cheese. They can be a bit tricky to find in stores, but they are available at some Kroger stores, Food Lion, BJ's Wholesale Club, and small grocery stores.
Chao
Chao is another well-liked vegan cheese brand, offering slices that melt well and are great for grilled cheese sandwiches. They have a range of flavors, including creamy original and tomato cayenne, which can be purchased at Target.
Daiya
Daiya is a well-known vegan cheese brand, and while their original shreds received mixed reviews, their new oat milk formula is worth trying. It melts well and gets stretchy, making it a good option for burritos and other recipes where you need that cheesy pull.
Moocho
Moocho, a product from the Tofurky brand, offers a cheddar option as part of its cheese line. However, some have found it to have a powdery texture and a lack of flavor, so it may not be the best option for those seeking a true cheddar taste.
When choosing a vegan cheddar cheese, it's important to consider the intended use. For example, some cheeses are better for snacking or melting, while others might be more suitable for specific recipes. It may take some experimentation to find the one that best suits your taste preferences and culinary needs.
Cheddar Cheese: Australia's Sharp Cheddar, Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The best flavored cheddar cheese depends on personal preference. However, Tillamook Medium Cheddar is a popular choice for its creaminess and flavor.
Some other popular flavored cheddar cheeses include Kerrygold, Cracker Barrel, and Cabot Alpine.
Yes, Miyoko's Creamery offers a plant-based Roadhouse Cheddar Cheese Spread made with cashew milk, coconut oil, and organic rice miso.
When choosing the best flavored cheddar cheese, consider the level of sharpness, the texture (whether it is crumbly or smooth), and the presence of artificial ingredients or colors.
