Let’s be honest, Sabine and I are cheese snobs. But, we also have our guilty pleasures when it comes to cheese. Read on to discover our list of the 7 most underrated commercial cheeses.
Should you buy cheese from a supermarket?
Purchasing cheese from a supermarket has its pros and cons. On the positive side, supermarkets offer convenience, accessibility and a vast range of cheese options under one roof. Additionally, you can explore a variety of cheeses from different regions and countries, allowing you to broaden your cheese horizons.
However, some discerning cheese lovers may argue that specialty cheese shops offer a more personalized and expert experience, with knowledgeable staff and a greater emphasis on artisanal and unique varieties.
In addition to this, specialty cheese shops tend to have better storage conditions for their cheese. This is particularly relevant when you consider the damage that light oxidation can do to cheese.
But chances are that you may not have access to a specialty cheese shop near you. So, you probably get your cheese supplies from your local supermarket or grocery store.
Top cheeses you can buy from your local supermarket
Self-selecting cheese from a vast cabinet display can sometimes be overwhelming. So, we’ve taken the awkward out of the process for you. Let’s delve into our list of the most underrated cheeses you can buy from your local grocery store.
1. La Vache Qui Rit (The Laughing Cow Cheese)
There are very few cheese-based products that take me back to my childhood the way La Vache Qui Rit does. Growing up in Mauritius, this soft, scrumptious spread was the epitome of fancy.
Also known as The Laughing Cow among anglophones, this commercial French cheese product was the ultimate spread on a warm crunchy baguette. Or on toast. To this day, I can still remember the sound the foil makes as you unwrap it to reveal its delicate little parcel of joy.
2. String Cheese
Is string cheese actually cheese? The answer to this is a resounding yes! In the United States, genuine string cheese is made from four simple ingredients: part-skimmed cow’s milk, starter culture, salt and enzymes.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because they are the four ingredients that make up America’s favourite cheese, Mozzarella. Indeed, string cheese is actually low-moisture part-skimmed Mozzarella cheese. And midnight snacks do not get any better than this!
3. Jarlsberg
Jarlsberg is a pressed cooked cheese that originates from Norway. Because of its iconic spattering of eyes (holes), it is often incorrectly referred to as Swiss cheese. This Norwegian classic has a yellow wax rind and a semi-firm yellow paste. Overall, its flavour is mild and buttery with a slightly sweet and nutty finish.
Because of its delightful texture and mild flavour, this cheese has become hugely popular around the world. Jarlsberg excels as a sliced cheese for sandwiches and grilled cheese toasties. But it can also be cut into cubes and added to a summer salad.
4. Babybel
In many ways, Babybel is the French version of String Cheese. In the sense that it is the perfect, bite-sized midnight snack wrapped in wax. But what is actually Babybel? While it comes in many variants, the original, classic Mini Babybel is actually a French cheese that is inspired by the Dutch recipe for Edam.
Over the years, they’ve added to their range to include a purple Babybel (Cheddar) and a yellow one (Emmental). Continue reading to discover our remaining 3 underrated commercial cheeses. We’ve got a blue cheese coming that might just take your breath away.
5. Boursin
Boursin is a soft fresh cheese that comes in various flavours and has the consistency of cream cheese. It was first developed in 1957 by François Boursin, a cheese maker from Normandie. Originally, it came in the Garlic & Fine Herbs flavour.
Fast forward 6 decades and it is now a staple in cooking across the western world. Moreover, its range of flavours has been extended to include the likes of pepper, fig and walnut and shallot and chives. Boursin pairs especially well with beef, pasta, and potatoes.
6. Apéricube
Apéricube is a processed cheese brought to us by the makers of La Vache Qui Rit. Each little cube of cheese is wrapped in aluminium foil with ice-breaker riddles printed on their insides.
They come in various flavours and colours including Original, Goat and Gouda. As well as some more eclectic ones such as Seafood, Chorizo and Girl’s Night. Just like String Cheese and Babybel, Apéricube is an excellent bite-sized snack for all ages. And at anytime during the day (or night).
7. Creamy Blue
Creamy Blue is a mild blue cheese that originates from Denmark. First introduced in 1969, its traditional recipe is maintained to this day. This crowd-pleasing, gateway blue cheese blends light blue aromas and subtle savoury flavours.
Compared to the other famous Danish blue cheese, Danablu, Creamy Blue is more subtle and has a much more decadent texture.
So there you have our 7 most underrated commercial cheeses
We hope that you enjoyed our 7 best commercial cheeses.
Did I miss any of your favourites? Drop us a comment below.
Jonah is a a hipster, eco-warrior and slow food afficionado. Coming from a scientific background, Jonah has a particular interest in cheese science. And yes, he loves a good cheese pun!
