Do you buy blocks of cheese or already shredded in the bag?

[lovemygoofy]

I shred my own. I buy decent quality blocks and honestly a little goes a long way with block cheese because it melts so much better and I think just tastes better.

For those that have clumping problems with shredding their own cheese, sprinkle some corn starch over the shreds and shake with the lid closed.

 

[wiigirl]

I like to shred my own. The preshredded stuff is dry.

exactly.

 

[cntrygal]

always block the pre shreaded stuff has sawdust added to it

 

[crz4mm2]

I buy in bulk at Sam's. Both cheddar and mozzarella.

 

[runsandjumps]

Blocks because my family lives and breathes cheese. However I dont use a shredder as I am too lazy. I just use a food processor to cut.

Ana

 

[wishesuponastar]

I buy block cheddar cheese at the supermarket. Last time it was on sale for $1.66 for 8oz so I stocked up.

 

[clutter]

Both. I shred it myself for cheese sauces or mac and cheese. But I buy a pre-shredded Italian cheese mix that I'd never buy the individual cheeses for, because I'm only using a little bit.

I also buy pre-shredded when I make a certain dip. It's got Hormel's chili w/out beans in it. Good shredded cheese would be overkill.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I buy both. I buy blocks of Cheese and shred it myself for MY baked Potatoes and salads. I buy bagged pre-shredded stuff for the kids to use making snacks for themselves.

My go to Cheese is Colby in the blocks and Colby/Monterrey Jack combo in the bag shredded. Kraft only.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

I've tend to buy the block. I've noticed that the already shredded cheese, doesn't seem to have the same bold flavor.

PLUS, I love colby and often use it when something calls for cheddar and I don't think I've ever seen shredded colby cheese.

 

[Imzadi]

I buy the blocks like Cabot and shred my own. Much cheaper. The blocks keep longer. And I have the choice then to just cut off some cubes to munch on.

I use this to grate the cheese. This is one of my favorite kitchen tools now. It's so easy to use. Easy to clean and stores in the utensil drawer.

 

[Pembo]

Never shredded my own cheese, always buy it in the bag. That's what my mom did. Maybe I'll try buying the block. I never realized it was cheaper?!

 

[maslex]

If I find a good sale on block cheese, can I shred it and then freeze some? Or just shred what I need and then re-wrap the cheese and put it back in the fridge?

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

Somebody told me that shredded cheese is coated with something to keep it from sticking together. That's why when its frozen it still can sprinkle apart.

I buy blocks of cheese and shred what I need for recipes on my box grater.

 

[CoP Luv]

We only buy blocks. Pre-shredded has cellulose in it which is a type of added starch...which DH cannot have. It adds a powdery feel to it. Ick!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm not a fan of the coating they put on pre-shredded cheese (which makes it melt less easily, and gives it a weird taste/texture). I do blocks only. It takes all of a minute to shred it myself and tastes SO much better.

 

[wgeo]

We've been buying blocks only for years. We live in WI and our grocery store sells some local farm's block cheese for a pretty low price. So we did it first for the money savings, and then we realized it was handy to have the blocks for cheese/crackers and tasted better when it was shredded fresh. I'm only just learning about the bad stuff in bagged cheese - yuck.

 

[bcla]

I buy the blocks like Cabot and shred my own. Much cheaper. The blocks keep longer. And I have the choice then to just cut off some cubes to munch on.

I use this to grate the cheese. This is one of my favorite kitchen tools now. It's so easy to use. Easy to clean and stores in the utensil drawer.

That's more of a fine grater like you'd use to grate cheese for sprinkling on pasta or pizza. There are other graters that have different sections that can be used for fine grating, coarse grating similar to a commercial cheese shredder, and a wide blade that cuts cheese like a cheese plane.

And I'm surprised how few times the word grate or grater has been used in this thread. A cheese shredder is supposed to be an electric or hand cranked device that shreds cheese similar to a meat grinder.

 

[BearcatsFan]

I nearly always buy the bagged cheese and rarely buy the blocks, but I admit the freshly-shredded stuff tastes way better.

 

[BlovesC]

Blocks. Another vote for Cabot, their light cheddar is our fave!

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

I used to buy bagged, but I did a little reading and... The pre shredded stuff is coated with bleached wood fiber, that is what the cellulose is. Wood. From Trees! It is industry standard, so they don't have to tell you what it is. They put it in lots of stuff, like ice cream, yogurt, and diet foods. The organic stuff is not much better, the only difference is that the wood fibers are not bleached with chlorine. Yuck! Block only for me.