Unexpected Cheddar
Cheese product
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Unexpected Cheddar is a cheese product by American grocery chain Trader Joe's. It was first introduced in 2011.[2] It was inducted into the Product Hall of Fame in 2023.[3]
| Type | Cheese | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region or state | Wisconsin | ||||||
| Created by | Trader Joe's | ||||||
| Invented | 2011 | ||||||
| 110[1] kcal (460 kJ) | |||||||
| |||||||
| Similar dishes | Cheddar cheese |
Name
The term "Unexpected Cheddar" comes from the "unexpectedness" of the cheese having several different tastes, including parmesan cheese,[4] despite being technically a cheddar.[2]
Variations
Trader Joe's has created several variations of the popular product, including a cheese spread that is used for making mac and cheese,[5], shredded Unexpected Cheddar, Unexpected Cheddar chicken sausage, Unexpected Cheddar and turkey sausage egg bites, Unexpected Broccoli Cheddar Soup,[4] and a spread with hatch chile.[6]
Reviews
Unexpected Cheddar has generally received positive reviews, while reviews of its variations are mixed. America's Test Kitchen positively reviewed Unexpected Cheddar, calling it "supercreamy and smooth with just a hint of crunch ... a delight."[7] However, they had a more negative review of the spread variation, saying that it's almost like "frosting that’s been spread on a cake while it’s still hot."[8] Alex Beggs of Bon Appétit wrote that the spread with hatch chile was "[his] platonic ideal of a bar cheese. Soft and creamy, with some cheddar bite and gentle green chile heat."[6] Cheese: The word on culture acclaimed the original Unexpected Cheddar, but criticised the spread for being too dense and being made up of just cheese and butter.[3]