Trader Joe’s Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions

What is it about Trader Joe’s that feels so … upscale? Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think it’s necessarily about prices: we’ve reviewed dozens of TJ’s products and found them to be surprisingly competitive in price to other grocers, even (sometimes) its distant cousin Aldi. It’s not always the budget option, but it’s not the most expensive one, either.

Instead, I think the upscale label exists because Trader Joe’s is willing to sell things that are so exotic that they feel upscale. We tend to associate weird with chic, and the little grocer doesn’t shy away from stocking things that are weird. Some of them are so weird that I can’t even bring myself to try them.

Other TJ’s products are maybe a little different but still close enough to the normal to be worth taking a flyer on. Those can be some of the most fun products in the store, because they’re a chance to get out of one’s comfort zone with a product one is willing to risk a little cash on.

I happen to like cheese a lot, so I’m always on the lookout for different varieties.

Enter Trader Joe’s!

Trader Joe's Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions

Trader Joe’s Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions can be found in the store’s refrigerated section. The block we got was listed as $9.99 a pound; since the block was .57 pounds, the total cost was $5.69. According to the packaging, it’s English cheddar and is a product of England. It should be kept refrigerated. It comes in shrink-wrapped plastic.

Nutritionally, this has the expected amounts of fat (9g per serving), sodium (190mg per serving), and calories (110 per serving). Milk is the only listed allergen.

Trader Joe's Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions

We were curious to try this, in large part because it was the top cheese in Trader Joe’s 14th Annual Customer Choice Awards. Overall, most of us liked it. It’s a little different: it’s a little sweet and has the flavor of cooked onions, but it’s also a mild, somewhat dry cheese. We could see a lot of applications for it (we’d like to test it out on grilled cheese) but even as a snack on its own, it’s tasty.

The Verdict:

Trader Joe’s Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions is a fun change of pace from traditional English cheddar. A little sweet, a little onion, and a mild flavor all make for a nice combination. Many TJ’s fans like this cheese, and most of us do, too.

About Joshua

Joshua is the Co-founder of Aldi Reviewer. He is also a writer and novelist. You can learn more about him at joshuaajohnston.com.

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