When it comes to Aldi's award-winning cheeses, everyone's got an opinion about which is best.
But with so many options available, how do you know which to buy and which to avoid?
Most people enjoy cheese on their pizza, but what about cheese that tastes like pizza?
That's precisely how several Reddit users have described the Roasted Garlic With Tomato
& Basil cheese from Emporium Selection.
Some users have proclaimed this product to be their go-to Aldi cheese and recommend trying
it on salads and pasta.
This semi-soft cheese's Italian-inspired flavors give it a taste that is similar to a marinara
or pizza sauce.
It has a slightly softer consistency than Gouda and melts very evenly.
The cheese is also heavily marbled, so every bite has an even amount of roasted garlic
flavor.
In 2021, Aldi faced legal woes over the sliced version of its Emporium Selection Smoked Gouda
Cheese due to misleading information on the label.
According to court documents, Aldi used a food additive called liquid smoke to flavor
its Gouda, instead of naturally smoking the cheese.
The flavor it imparts is very mild, only adding a slight hint of smoke to complement the natural
sweetness of the cheese.
This could be disappointing for consumers who want a more full-bodied smokiness.
"Smokin'!"
The plaintiff argued that the label should reflect that the cheese is smoke-flavored
instead of literally smoked, seeing as the resulting taste isn't fully comparable.
Although the lawsuit centered around the sliced smoked Gouda, the not-quite-transparent advertising
may make consumers think twice about purchasing the block version, too.
Plenty of vegan cheese options are available today, but finding one with a convincingly
creamy texture is difficult.
Luckily, Aldi shoppers can enjoy a satisfying plant-based option in Earth Grown Vegan Mozzarella
Style Shreds.
It's not the only vegan cheese Aldi has ever offered, but it is one of the most widely
available.
This cheese comes in an eight-ounce bag instead of the 12-ounce bags provided for dairy-based
cheese at Aldi.
However, many argue that the delicious flavor and melty texture more than make up for the
slightly smaller package.
Reviewers from Abillion have given this product high praise for its meltiness, and many recommend
using it on pizza.
In addition to pizza, Abillion users suggest adding this mozzarella to tostadas, grilled
cheese sandwiches, and even macaroni and cheese.
Cream cheese is one of the most versatile dairy products around.
It forms the basis of multiple sauces and dips, and can even be part of delicious cake
frosting.
Furthermore, it's hard to find a more perfect food pairing than cream cheese and bagels.
"Cream cheese."
The most readily available option in Aldi stores is Happy Farms Cream Cheese, which
comes in the familiar block variety or as a spread.
Consumers can purchase the spreadable version in either a traditional or whipped texture.
All three options are the same size, so shoppers can take their pick without sacrificing on
quantity.
Unfortunately, though, many argue that this cheese's quality is another thing.
Some Aldi fans think shoppers should skip this product altogether.
One Reddit user devoted a whole thread to complaining about the blandness of this cream
cheese, and many other users agreed.
The thread's comment section is full of consumers who are disappointed with this spread's lackluster
flavor, especially compared to some of Aldi's other products.
Consumers have lodged similar complaints on Facebook, where one poster notes that the
cream cheese they purchased had an unpleasantly tart flavor.
Several other users echoed this concern, though some were more forgiving of this product.
Overall, the lack of consistency in the taste of this cream cheese may not be worth the
risk.
Sweet and savory flavors can create delicious combinations, so Emporium Selection Cranberry
White Cheddar Cheese sounds great.
It combines large chunks of cranberries with a pleasantly sharp white cheddar and is sold
as an eight-ounce round.
Although it's technically a seasonal item, this cheese has reappeared on Aldi shelves
for multiple years thanks to its enduring popularity.
One Aldi shopper recommended this particular cheese on Facebook, and multiple other users
chimed in to share their love for this product.
A few suggested using it for a unique spin on grilled cheese, while others recommended
enjoying the cheese as-is.
Of course, it would also make a great addition to a cheese board.
For example, one Reddit user shared a photo of this unconventional cheddar paired with
assorted berries, crackers, meats, and other cheeses.
Others commented that this cheese is one of their favorites and is a must-buy whenever
it's in stock.
No one expects sliced American cheese to be superior to other types of cheese.
Still, Aldi fans are divided on whether or not Happy Farms American Cheese Singles stack
up to the competition.
This cheese comes in a 16-slice package for a decent price, but a few Reddit users bluntly
describe this cheese as trash.
Furthermore, some users dislike the consistency of this cheese when it's melted, which can
make for a disappointing grilled cheese sandwich.
The consensus is that this cheese's flavor and texture pales in comparison when measured
against other brands.
However, not all Happy Farms American cheese is of low quality.
Most posters in the Reddit thread agree that the deluxe version of this product is a much
better buy in terms of taste.
These slices are less processed than their individually-wrapped counterparts and have
a more convincing cheese flavor.
However, the deluxe slices are more expensive than the standard version.
Wedges of Parmesan cheese can be very pricey, especially for well-aged and imported varieties.
This cheese develops increasingly complex flavors over time, which means that the aging
process sometimes lasts 30 months or more.
Although the advertised maturation period for Emporium Selection Parmesan Cheese Wedge
is significantly shorter, this cheese is still a delicious and affordable option.
Parmesan aged 12 months or less is still considered immature and has a milder flavor than older
cheeses.
According to the label, this Parmesan is aged for at least 10 months, likely making it a
fairly young cheese.
If that doesn't bother you, then you may find real value in this cheese.
As Aldi Reviewer explains, this cheese would be excellent paired with a sparkling wine
like Prosecco.
The reviewer recommends enjoying this cheese in small doses due to its pleasantly intense
flavor.
However, like most Parmesans, it would also be excellent grated over various dishes.
One YouTube reviewer describes the cheese as perfectly salted with a subtle note of
sweetness and recommends shaving it over a salad.
Aldi often features cheeses with unique flavor combinations, and Emporium Selection Hot Honey
Gouda Cheese is no exception.
"Do you like cheese?"
"Why yes I do.
My favorite's gouda."
This cheese is part of a summer-themed selection of flavored Goudas, which also includes spinach
and artichoke and Sriracha varieties.
Since spicy hot honey has become a cult favorite in recent years, it's no surprise that the
discount grocery chain tried to capitalize on the distinctive condiment with this cheese.
Unfortunately, as a TikTok reviewer and others have discovered, this cheese doesn't live
up to its exciting name.
The reviewer found that the cheese had a nice consistency when it was melted.
However, it was utterly devoid of honey flavor.
The cheese is also not particularly spicy despite the presence of crushed red pepper
on its ingredients list.
Although Gouda is delicious in its original form, this cheese will likely disappoint those
who are craving the taste of hot honey.
Unfortunately, it’s also the weakest option in its product group.
As one Aldi aficionado posted on Instagram, the other two flavors are far better than
the Hot Honey Gouda.
Aldi shoppers can enjoy three varieties of Irish cheddar as part of the Emporium Selection
Irish Cheddar Assortment.
Although Aldi frequently offers Irish-themed seasonal products around St. Patrick's Day,
these cheeses are part of the store's year-round inventory.
The brand has labeled each according to age: mild, mature, and vintage.
According to Aldi Reviewer, each flavor has something worthwhile to offer cheddar fans,
like a smooth consistency and subtle flavor in the mild version.
By comparison, the reviewer found the mature cheddar to be slightly tangier, with a taste
halfway between mild and sharp.
The vintage version is the likely best option for those who enjoy sharp cheddar.
Several Reddit users mention this product assortment as a must-have.
One suggests trying the vintage cheddar with crackers and raspberry preserves for a nice
balance of salty and sweet.
These cheeses would also make an excellent cheddar option for a cheeseboard.
Brie likely has its origins in 7th-century France and is still beloved by cheese connoisseurs
today.
For Aldi shoppers, this soft cheese comes in the form of the Emporium Selection Brie
Cheese Round.
"Cheese wheel, it's Brie."
"Oh, thanks."
This basic brie is available year-round and is best served gently warmed or at room temperature.
Although the low price may make this product seem like a steal, the taste may push consumers
to look elsewhere for their favorite French cheese.
Brie is typically nutty and buttery, but many Reddit users feel that Aldi's version fails
to capture that signature flavor.
In the thread, the original poster describes their struggle to like this cheese, explaining
that they tried it with and without the rind.
They found the inner cheese tasteless and salty.
Several users responded with their own criticisms, describing the cheese as too mild and bland.
One user didn't pull any punches when giving their opinion, writing,
"It tastes like the smell of wet paper towels.
It's the only Aldi cheese I won't buy."
Many of Aldi's cheeses are award-winning, including the Emporium Selection Applewood
Smoked Gouda.
This Gouda is one of three applewood smoked cheeses, alongside cheddar and Gruyère.
The collection earned a 2023 gold medal from Chefs In America for its exceptional flavor,
an accolade the brand advertises on the label.
These cheeses are cold-smoked for six hours using natural wood, which sets them apart
from some of Aldi's other smoked cheeses.
All three are a great buy, but the Gouda is especially noteworthy.
Since applewood imparts a mildly sweet flavor when used for smoking, it blends perfectly
with the nutty caramel notes of Gouda.
In a Reddit thread that pitted three popular Emporium Selection Goudas against each other,
users noted that the smoke flavor in this cheese is very subtle.
This makes it an excellent choice for someone who wants to enjoy smokiness without losing
the signature taste of the cheese.
One user recommends trying this Gouda as a burger topping, but it would also work well
as a slightly smoky addition to a charcuterie board.
"What's that?"
"It's charcuterie."
Most consumers expect deli-style cheese to be thinly sliced, but Happy Farms Deli-Sliced
Swiss doesn't quite deliver on that promise.
The cheese comes in a resealable package of 11 slices and is an affordable sandwich option.
However, the slices are slightly thicker than many other deli-sliced cheeses, which may
be disappointing for some Swiss cheese fans.
Even if the slice thickness isn't an issue, the flavor might be.
A YouTube reviewer had a mostly neutral reaction to this cheese, describing it as neither awful
nor excellent.
Furthermore, Aldi Reviewer points out another problem: the packaging.
The cheese comes in a plastic tray with a resealable flap that does little to protect
it from air exposure.
The result is a cheese that dries out faster than products in more secure containers, creating
an unpleasant texture.
Unfortunately, the packaging also contributes to premature spoilage.
Unless consumers repackage this cheese themselves after opening it, they may find it growing
mold long before they can finish eating it.