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

[maslex]

I have always bought the bagged kind that's already shredded. But I keep hearing that buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself tastes & melts much better.

Is this true? And what kind of blocks are you buying? Like the little ones by Cabot? Or do you go to some specialty store and get some kind of fancy cheese?

I don't have fancy stores around here. I go shopping at Walmart and Big Y (my local grocery store)

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Both. Shredded for my teen boys who make nachos, quesadillas, burritos, etc all the time.

Usually blocks for more "fancy" cooking. (Doesn't happen often these days---haha!!!)

 

[Mom21]

http://www.foodrenegade.com/would-like-some-wood-pulp-your-shredded-cheese/

I think that is a link describing what you may have heard about. I've been moving towards "real food" with very little additives. Trying to eat much healthier. Honestly, I do sometimes buy the shredded cheese for convenience and because my dd likes to add cheese to some meals that don't really have cheese in them, so I keep it for that. I did buy chunk cheese for a quiche I am making tonight. I don't work today, and I have time to grate it even if I hate doing it.

Honestly, I think ,as with most everything, there are differing opinions depending on who you talk to as to how bad it is for you. As far as where to get, I just buy the 1 lb chunk Kraft that is in my normal cheese shection in any store including Walmart (ok I would assume it there but I haven't shopped there in years. Only do target if I need to do a store like that. My grocery also has a gourmet cheese section by the deli. I do love grating my own parmigiana-romano (sp?) in Italian dishes, but I use it sparingly as it is a bit expensive. I love cheeses though. I could really do damage to that deli cheese section, but the price and calories usually make me steer clear of the area unless I'm going for something specific.

 

[jen0610]

I have always bought the bagged kind that's already shredded. But I keep hearing that buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself tastes & melts much better.

Is this true? And what kind of blocks are you buying? Like the little ones by Cabot? Or do you go to some specialty store and get some kind of fancy cheese?

I don't have fancy stores around here. I go shopping at Walmart and Big Y (my local grocery store)

We buy both. I have the bagged stuff for the kids to use during the day, if I'm not home or if we are dinning on the run and already shredded is just faster.

But for the most part, I much prefer to shred my own. It all came down to the fact that it melts so much better. We buy both store brand name blocks of cheese and the Kraft blocks of cheese. I have been know to spend a couple extra bucks on County Line cheese if we are having people over for dinner. What I get all depends on the sale ads and coupons. I almost never buy from the deli department or a specialty store.

 

[MSLRAC]

I buy whole cheeses at Costco and shred/crumble them for pretty much everything. It does seem to melt easier and it is cheaper. Bagged shredded cheese has a different texture than if you shred your own.

 

[Janepod]

Whole cheese. Cheaper per pound, stays fresher, better variety of cheeses from which to choose.

 

[bcla]

If the cheese gets moldy, you can cut off the moldy edges if it's still a solid block. With shredded cheese you can't do much about it.

Of course then there's intentionally moldy cheese like blue cheeses or brie. But those aren't grated.

 

[KristaTX]

I don't remember the last time I bought pre-shredded cheese. It just tastes so much better freshly grated.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I buy Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp at the grocery store.

It is rare that I buy bagged cheese. I don't like it.

 

[superme80]

For cheddar we just buy a block and shred it ourselves. We do buy some pre shredded cheese. It is usually mozzarella or some other Italian blend for pizza.

 

[MickeySP]

If I am doing more than tacos or pizza I buy & shred/grate fresh.

 

[Jaxs27]

I recently started buying blocks of cheese and shred it and it does taste much better.

 

[Micca]

We're cheese fiends here. We buy shredded and sliced. We also receive cheese of the month club orders, they come in blocks.

 

[kellyjeanie]

Whatever is on sale, though my husband (who does most of the cook/prep work) prefers the bags of shredded. We're having pizza tonight and I have a block of mozzarella to shred.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Yes.


I have uses for both but block cheese is always better.

 

[Jedana]

I prefer to shred my own...but I hate shredding on a box grater. The food processor (with shredder attachement) gave up the ghost, so until I get a new one, it's bagged only.

It tastes better, IMO.

 

[pryncess527]

We buy both. I have the bagged stuff for the kids to use during the day, if I'm not home or if we are dinning on the run and already shredded is just faster.

But for the most part, I much prefer to shred my own. It all came down to the fact that it melts so much better. We buy both store brand name blocks of cheese and the Kraft blocks of cheese. I have been know to spend a couple extra bucks on County Line cheese if we are having people over for dinner. What I get all depends on the sale ads and coupons. I almost never buy from the deli department or a specialty store.

Ditto

I'm pretty sue the pre-shredded kind is treated with some kind of preservative to help keep the cheese from clumping in the bag, but that's also why it doesn't melt as well or taste as good.

 

[StephMK]

Ever since we ate home shredded block cheese at a friend's years ago, we have gone with blocks. It tastes so much better and is worth the extra time. I have 4 different shredders that we use because both moms gave me new ones to try.

 

[Lanshark]

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

 

[bettymae1121]

I have always bought the bagged kind that's already shredded. But I keep hearing that buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself tastes & melts much better.

Is this true? And what kind of blocks are you buying? Like the little ones by Cabot? Or do you go to some specialty store and get some kind of fancy cheese?

I don't have fancy stores around here. I go shopping at Walmart and Big Y (my local grocery store)

Yes, it's true that blocks you shred yourself melt and generally taste better. I usually get "fancy" cheeses but will buy national brands if my back's to a wall (30 minutes to dinner and I discover DH snacked on the last of the cheese the day before and I don't have time to run to Trader Joe's so I go to the local Jewel instead and just grab a block of Kraft...).

But I'm a bit of a foodie and I like natural/organic type foods as well, the less processed and the fewer foods from Big Food Inc. the better.