Patrick Oconnell
Trader Joe's is well-known for its wide variety of cheeses, including several types of cheddar. From the famous Unexpected Cheddar to the New Zealand Sharp Cheddar, Trader Joe's offers unique and tasty options for cheese lovers. The Unexpected Cheddar, a best-seller since 2011, has a dry and grainy texture with a sharp, tangy flavor. It's also an excellent value at $4 for a 7-ounce piece. Another popular choice is the New Zealand Sharp Cheddar, which has a subtle Swiss-like aftertaste. Trader Joe's also offers innovative cheddar options, such as the Caramelized Onion Cheddar and the Cheddar with Scotch Bonnet Chile and Red Peppers, adding spice and sweetness to the traditional cheddar flavor. With so many options, Trader Joe's is a go-to destination for cheese enthusiasts looking for new and exciting flavors to elevate their dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Variety | Unexpected Cheddar, New Zealand Sharp Cheddar, Goat Milk Cheddar-Style, Caramelized Onion Cheddar |
| Taste | Salty, crumbly, sharp, tangy, sweet, spicy |
| Texture | Dry, grainy, crumbly |
| Price | $3.99 for 7 oz |
| Pairings | Fruits (apples, grapes, pears, figs), burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, omelets, pizza, quesadillas, pepperoni |
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What You'll Learn
Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese
Trader Joe's offers a wide variety of cheeses, including the famous and well-loved Unexpected Cheddar Cheese. This cheddar cheese has a unique flavour and texture that sets it apart from other classic cheddars. It has been described as having a dry, grainy, and crumbly texture, with a sharp and tangy taste.
Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, as the name suggests, offers a surprising flavour profile. While it initially presents itself as an aged, premium cheddar, it takes an "unexpected turn", resembling an aged Parmesan. This unique characteristic has made it a best-seller at Trader Joe's since its launch in 2011.
The cheese is versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. It pairs well with fruits like apples, grapes, pears, and figs, making it a great addition to a cheese plate. It can also be melted and added to dishes like burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, omelettes, and pizzas. Some have even suggested grating it on top of chilli for an extra kick.
Overall, Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese is a must-try for cheese enthusiasts. With its unexpected flavour, versatile applications, and excellent value, it has earned its place as a beloved and well-known product from Trader Joe's.
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Trader Joe's New Zealand Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Trader Joe's has a wide variety of cheeses, from cult favorites like bread cheese to famous cheddars and beginner-friendly blues. One of their staff-pick favorites is the New Zealand Grass-Fed Sharp Cheddar Cheese. This cheese is aged between 6 to 12 months and is described as a sharp and mildly-flavored cheddar.
The New Zealand cheddar is a popular choice for those who enjoy a classic, sharp cheddar flavor. It pairs well with a Granny Smith apple, as suggested by a reviewer, or it can be enjoyed on its own. The cheese has a crumbly texture and mini salt crystals, characteristic of a good sharp cheddar.
While the New Zealand cheddar is a favorite for some, others have found it mediocre, especially when compared to the cult favorite, Unexpected Cheddar, also offered by Trader Joe's. Unexpected Cheddar is described as a crumbly, barely sharp cheddar with a unique flavor that resembles aged Parmesan.
Trader Joe's also offers other unique cheeses, such as the Alpeost Cheese, a new addition that has become a favorite for its versatility and delicious flavor. The Peppercorn Toscano Cheese is another interesting option, with a mix of cheddar and Parmesan flavors and a pepper coating that adds a nice kick without being overpowering.
With its wide range of cheese options, Trader Joe's has something for every taste and preference, from mild and sharp cheddars to unique blends and beginner-friendly blues.
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Trader Joe's Cheddar Cheese with Scotch Bonnet Chile and Red Peppers
Trader Joe's has a lot of cheese options, from a salty gouda to a famous cheddar, and even a beginner-friendly blue. One of their more interesting cheddar options is the Cheddar Cheese with Scotch Bonnet Chile and Red Peppers. Named for their resemblance to a woolen tam o’ shanter cap, Scotch bonnet chillies are a staple of Caribbean cuisine. They have a delicate sweetness and a remarkable level of heat—several orders of magnitude hotter than jalapeños. The sweetness and heat of the chillies complement the inherent nuttiness and crumbly texture of a classic English cheddar.
The cheese has a crumbly texture and a bit of sweetness, similar to Trader Joe's caramelized onion cheddar, but with a peppery flavour. It is barely spicy, with a similar flavour profile to pepper jelly on cheddar. It pairs well with spicy cold cuts like pepperoni and capicola for a hot charcuterie plate. For the best flavour, remove the cheese from the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving.
While Trader Joe's does not carry any very spicy cheeses year-round, they do have some hot items, including habanero hot sauce and extra hot ghost pepper salsa. If you like things spicy, try adding some hot sauce to your Scotch Bonnet Chile and Red Pepper Cheddar Cheese for an extra kick.
If you are a fan of cheddar, there are several other options available at Trader Joe's that you may enjoy. The Unexpected Cheddar Cheese has a crumbly texture and small salt crystals, resembling an aged Parmesan. The Cheddar & Gruyère Mélange is mostly cheddar but has the trademark bite and smooth texture of Gruyère, making it an excellent option for cooking.
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Trader Joe's Goat Milk Cheddar-Style Cheese
Trader Joe's has a vast selection of cheeses, from the famous cheddar to a beginner-friendly blue, and even the cult-favourite bread cheese. One of their more unique offerings is the Goat Milk Cheddar-Style Cheese.
This cheese is a white cheddar, as opposed to the typical yellow of domestic US cheddars. It is described as a soft and mellow cheese, with a subtle complexity of flavour that is hard to pinpoint. It is not an overpowering cheese, and so it is unlikely to be disliked by many. The cheese melts easily, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, and is also great for nibbling.
One reviewer notes that the cheese does not remind them of standard cow's milk cheddar, but instead, it reminded them of goat. They did not enjoy the cheese, stating that they would not buy it again. However, another reviewer states that the cheese does not smell or taste like a wet goat, which they considered a positive.
The Goat Milk Cheddar-Style Cheese does not appear to have a listed country of origin, leading some to assume that it is domestically produced in the US.
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Trader Joe's Caramelized Onion Cheddar
Trader Joe's, an American chain of grocery stores, is famous for its wide variety of cheese options. One of their most popular products is the Trader Joe's Caramelized Onion Cheddar. This cheese has received rave reviews from customers, who claim it is "sooo good".
The Caramelized Onion Cheddar is a unique variety of cheddar cheese that combines the sharpness of cheddar with the sweetness of caramelized onions. It is a relatively new addition to the Trader Joe's cheese selection, and it has quickly become a cult favorite among cheese lovers. The combination of sweet and savoury notes makes it a versatile option for grilled cheese sandwiches, mac n cheese, or simply enjoyed on its own.
Some people suggest that this cheese is excellent when paired with other ingredients. For example, it can be enjoyed on an open-faced piece of bread with a thin spread of marmalade under the cheese or added to a turkey club sandwich for an elevated experience. It also goes well with grapes and is a tasty addition to mac n cheese, enhancing the dish with its distinct flavour.
Overall, Trader Joe's Caramelized Onion Cheddar is a must-try for cheese enthusiasts. Its complex flavour profile, versatility in dishes, and popularity among customers make it a standout option in the vast array of cheese choices available at Trader Joe's.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular cheddar cheese options at Trader Joe's include the New Zealand sharp cheddar, Unexpected Cheddar, goat milk cheddar-style cheese, and cheddar with Scotch bonnet chile and red peppers.
The Unexpected Cheddar has been described as tasting like an aged premium cheddar with hints of Parmesan. It has a dry, grainy texture and a sharp, tangy flavor.
The Unexpected Cheddar can be enjoyed on its own or melted on top of a burger, in a grilled cheese sandwich, or even in an omelet or pizza. It also pairs well with fruits like apples, grapes, pears, or figs.
Trader Joe's offers a wide variety of cheeses, including goat's milk Gouda-style cheese, Camembert, blue cheese, and Manchego, among others.
While it is unclear if Trader Joe's has specific cheese combinations, they do offer a range of cheeses that can be paired together. For example, their bread cheese and caramelized onion cheddar can be combined with jam or fruit, as can their white Stilton cheese with apricots.
