Tasty Cheeses in US Supermarkets?

LBigBarbieBanger on 10/07/2016 - 23:44
Last edited 11/07/2016 - 17:26

This might sound like a trivial request, but it's bothered me on a couple of extended visits. You know the 1kg value blocks of tasty matured (or semi-matured) cheese you can find in Australian supermarkets for $8-12? Coon, Devondale, Bega etc. Incredibly versatile, sharp taste and good value, I use them these cheeses in everything from salads to pizzas.

I am desperately looking for something similar in the US, but all the US supermarket cheeses I have found, even those rated as 'fully matured and extra tasty', resemble orange rubber in texture and taste.

Can anyone recommend anything to look out or ask for? FYI I tend to shop in southern USA at the big Kroger supermarkets.

Travel

Comments

  • neil on 11/07/2016 - 00:09

    Tasty=Cheddar=American. American Cheese. I'd go the Boars head. (EDIT: or Medium Cheddar Cheese Bar).

    • mskeggs on 11/07/2016 - 08:53
      +1

      Isn't that the question though? The "American Cheese" most resembles the shelf stable kraft cheese in a box we have here (or, the stuff in an individually wrapped cheese stick).
      OP wants a matured cheese but doesn't want to pay for a premium 'cheeseboard' grade English Cheddar, they want suggestion for a mass market option like Coon or Bega.
      I personally think this doesn't exist, as the mass market stuff there is all bland, but I haven't been to the US for a decade so I'm hoping I'm wrong and they do now have better affordable cheese.

      • airzone on 11/07/2016 - 11:27
        -1

        You would think that the amount of cheese they have on absolutely everything would eventually lead them into enjoying better quality product… Oh wait, this is the USA we're talking about here… Quantity > Quality

      • BigBarbieBanger on 11/07/2016 - 16:54

        Yes exactly my point mskeggs. Thank you.

  • dm01 on 11/07/2016 - 00:15
    +1

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uexC5wK9rM

    Sorry, but it had to be shared…

  • RockyRaccoon on 11/07/2016 - 00:41
    +1

    Maybe Trader Joes if they are in your area

  • Elwes on 11/07/2016 - 07:38
    +1

    Some premium brands have a cheese that looks like our tasty. They usually call it "aged white cheddar". I've definitely seen it in Kroger but only in small (~150g) blocks.

    If that's too hard to find or too expensive, it's possible to embrace the cultural difference without succumbing to orange cheese. For pizzas, buy a bag of pre-grated Pizza Cheese Blend - mozzarella with a bit of parmesan. For sandwiches, buy provolone or monterey jack.

  • gooddealmate on 11/07/2016 - 09:38

    Still bothers me that I can't find a decent Cheshire cheese in Australia considering it's so poplular in the UK.

    You might find it sometimes in the speciality cheeses sold in small packs for astronomical prices but that's not a given.

    I think you're in the same shoes as me, just get to used to something else.

  • travs on 11/07/2016 - 10:50
    +1

    Having come the other way (US->AU) I agree that cheddar is probably the closest. Monterrey Jack, which is great, is a little too mild, but yu could also give that a go.

    Cabot, a Vermont cheddar, is a good and easy to find brand.

    • BigBarbieBanger on 11/07/2016 - 16:57

      The Monterrey Jack I have tried was quite bland to my taste, but I shall look out for that Vermont cheddar, Cabot.

  • mshanann on 11/07/2016 - 12:10
    +1

    Tillamook cheddar was the closest I could ever find to an Aussie cheese back in 2004.

    http://7ccvwy4kjce87zk9.zippykid.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/u…

    cheese was yellow too in colour not orange

    It was available at safeway

    • BigBarbieBanger on 11/07/2016 - 16:59

      Their Sharp cheddar is aged nine months! Sounds good. Sadly only available in retail interstate from my area.

      PS I like how they describe the 2 lb / 1 kg block as a 'loaf'.

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