Saddest cheese ever :(

I went on a low-dairy diet earlier this year. When I came off of it about 6 weeks ago, one of the first things I did was go to Whole Foods & buy a great assortment of cheeses. I got a wedge of French Muenster, some aged gruyere, a wedge of walnut-leaf wrapped peccorino, some pata de cabra, Campo de Montalban and more--a big assortment. After plowed through them all, and before I had a chance to restock, I found myself at Trader Joe's. Now, I think TJs has *some* good cheeses, but you have to be careful. Apparently I wasn't being careful enough when I grabbed a wedge of gruyere.

I just opened it, but before I did, I noticed that it was labeled "Swiss Gruyere Domestic." :head scratch: But what the heck...I was jonesing for a snack to I ripped into it.

Saddest.cheese.ever.

You know those bland slices of "swiss" cheese (aka the cheese with the holes in it)? It was like eating that, but with an extra pronounced plasticy taste mouthfeel. None of that distinctive gruyere flavor. In fact, no flavor at all.

Trader Joe's: How dare you call this pathetic blob of plasticy cheese "gruyere" (or even cheese). Sad. Very sad.

IN SOVIET RUSSIA, THE CHEESE EATS YOU!

Trader Joe has a lot of products that are not worth it or are overrated. I have thrown out quite a few things. The baked goods in particular are not good. I have not had their cheese so I do not know. I have also had bad cheese at Whole Foods. a couple of times I have gotten brie that tasted like blue cheese. I dont like my brie to taste like blue. also if I am going to pop for some expensive cheese I like to taste it first. Its a guessing game. Whole foods cheese is so expensive and its a crap shoot when you buy a ten or fifteen dollar chunk and then its not to your liking.

toria wrote:Trader Joe has a lot of products that are not worth it or are overrated. I have thrown out quite a few things. The baked goods in particular are not good. I have not had their cheese so I do not know. I have also had bad cheese at Whole Foods. a couple of times I have gotten brie that tasted like blue cheese. I dont like my brie to taste like blue. also if I am going to pop for some expensive cheese I like to taste it first. Its a guessing game. Whole foods cheese is so expensive and its a crap shoot when you buy a ten or fifteen dollar chunk and then its not to your liking.

I always joke that I've never met a cheese I didn't like. That is, until I met this sad blob of plastic. One of the great things about Trader Joe's: They'll take anything back, no questions asked. Though even if they don't ask, I will let them know why I'm returning this "Swiss Gruyere Domestic."

toria wrote:I have also had bad cheese at Whole Foods. a couple of times I have gotten brie that tasted like blue cheese. I dont like my brie to taste like blue. also if I am going to pop for some expensive cheese I like to taste it first. Its a guessing game. Whole foods cheese is so expensive and its a crap shoot when you buy a ten or fifteen dollar chunk and then its not to your liking.

1) WF is pretty good about putting cards up for each cheese describing the properties.
2) The cheese mongers at WF are typically some of the most knowledgeable and customer service oriented folks in the store--samples are very easy to obtain--all I usually have to do is inquire about something and they ask if I want a sample.
3) If you don't like brie that tastes like blue, ask the cheese monger for a brie that doesn't taste like blue--I'm sure they'd be happy to recommend one.

boudreaulicious wrote:

toria wrote:I have also had bad cheese at Whole Foods. a couple of times I have gotten brie that tasted like blue cheese. I dont like my brie to taste like blue. also if I am going to pop for some expensive cheese I like to taste it first. Its a guessing game. Whole foods cheese is so expensive and its a crap shoot when you buy a ten or fifteen dollar chunk and then its not to your liking.

1) WF is pretty good about putting cards up for each cheese describing the properties.
2) The cheese mongers at WF are typically some of the most knowledgeable and customer service oriented folks in the store--samples are very easy to obtain--all I usually have to do is inquire about something and they ask if I want a sample.
3) If you don't like brie that tastes like blue, ask the cheese monger for a brie that doesn't taste like blue--I'm sure they'd be happy to recommend one.

My go-to places for cheese are typically Whole Foods and Binny's. I know Pastoral does a great job, too, but it's usually not on my regular circuit. I agree with boudreaulicious--the folks behind the counter at WF are usually eager to give you samples. If anything (and particularly at the Halsted store) I'm asked *too* frequently whether I need help, would like to try anything, etc.

BTW, I noticing the WFs seems to be stocking a lot more cheese produced by Emmi, which I assume is the same Emmi who makes good yogurt. I haven't bought any of the Emmi cheeses, mainly because I shy away from mass-produced cheese. (Look at what happened when I didn't!) Any opinions? Is the Emmi gruyere going to be as good as a non-Emmi aged gruyere? Or is it a bit dumbed down.

good idea. I will ask for samples next time. I wont get burnt by the bleu brie again.