6 Grocery Chains With the Best Cheese Department
Cheese shopping is serious business.
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The key to being the perfect host is to have some light bites, snacks, and refreshments ready before your guests arrive. A charcuterie board is a popular choice since it’s ideal for grazing and you can get creative by customizing it with an assortment of cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, and spreads. These days, people take enormous pride in building beautiful snack boards, and the star of the platter is almost always the same: cheese.
If you’re looking for gourmet, aged, or imported cheeses, there are countless grocery stores with superior selections, some of which even have designated cheese mongers. Whether you’re splurging on Manchego with black truffles, or craving a decadent port salut, Whole Foods or Kroger may be your best bet. Need something delicious but reasonably priced? Trader Joe's and Aldi might be your new go-to. Whatever your cheese needs might be, these six grocery chains have some of the most impressive cheese departments around.
Related: 10 Best Grocery Store Cheeses to Buy For Your Next Charcuterie Board
Trader Joe’s
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TJ's has every type of cheese you could need—from sliced, shredded, blocks, and spreadable varieties—you can certainly find whatever you’re looking for. And if you haven’t tried TJ’s famous Unexpected Cheddar, grab your tote bag and pick some up immediately; just know that you'll most definitely be back for more.
Whole Foods
It’s nearly impossible to walk by the cheese counter at Whole Foods, especially since there’s a designated cheese monger to help with your selections. Whole Foods prides itself on providing an elevated experience where customers can sample cheese, request cuts of any size, and even order a cheese platter for events both big and small. Don't skip out on the Roth Buttermilk Blue, which is creamy and tangy, yet still mellow enough to eat on its own.
Related: 10 Grocery Shopping Habits You Need to Change ASAP
Kroger
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Back in 2017, Kroger decided to expand its cheese program by acquiring the New York City staple, Murray’s Cheese. That means you don’t have to visit Greenwich Village to get some of the highest quality cheese around. Customers can shop from the "monger’s selection" section, or peruse the extensive array of cheeses, like flavorful Cheddars, mild Manchego, and aged Parmesan, among other types.
Stew Leonard’s
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Founded in 1969, Stew Leonard’s went from being a quaint dairy shop to the “World’s Largest Dairy Store”. Unlike any other market, Stew Leonard’s has their own brand of cheeses, and even has specialty offerings like artisanal burrata and freshly made ricotta.
Wegmans
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While you can certainly find a bottle of Easy-Cheese at Wegmans, we urge you to indulge in the retailer's assortment of cave-ripened and gourmet cheeses. If you’re someone who likes to experiment with trying new cheeses, you won’t be disappointed with Wegmans' impressive selection. If you're a fan of soft cheeses, try the award-winning Professor’s Brie, which boasts a buttery taste with a mushroomy rind.
Related: 8 Grocery Items You Shouldn't Buy on Sale
Aldi
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Some cheese varieties can set you back a pretty penny, but Aldi has everything you need for the perfect charcuterie board without breaking the bank. Brands like Emporium Selection and Happy Dairy are of the highest quality, but remain affordably priced.
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