Snack Review: Trader Joe’s Cheese Sticks
Hmm, is this a trend? This is the second snack I’ve eaten lately that tastes like an odd part of some other food that isn’t usually eaten in isolation. There were the chicken crackers that tasted like fried chicken crust, and now these.
These are allegedly “Sharp Cheddar Sourdough Twists” which are “baked twice.” The “baked twice” might be what does it - what these taste like is the almost-burnt cheese on the top of a quiche or a casserole of macaroni and cheese. You know those dark brown parts you get if it’s cooked enough, on top or on the sides of the dish?
They actually don’t taste much like sharp cheddar, though. Also I don’t taste anything particularly sourdough. I don’t see anything in the ingredients that would make them taste that way, and I suspect that food companies use “sourdough” as a way to evoke vague associations with fancy artisan breads. But I do appreciate that they are made of real food - no multisyllabic ingredients or fake sourdough flavor.
The photo on the box looks misleadingly flaky. These are definitely crunchy. They are kind of like breadsticks, but don’t kid yourself, most breadsticks probably don’t get one-third of their calories from fat.
These are fine but they don’t excite me. I wish they came in another flavor. You know what I really love? The burnt cheese on top of pizza. You know, especially where a thin crust pizza gets those big bubbles in the crust? Mmmm. I would really go for a cracker that was pizza-crust-bubble flavored. I’m thinking I need to go back and see if these also come in mozzarella.
MariaT33 on May 24th, 2009
I have to say that these are absolutely terrific!! I was looking for a simple cracker type snack and came upon these items. I purchased one, just to try them out, and am honestly Hooked. They are crunchy, the taste very pleasing, and a great addition to a meal, like soup or alongside a salad, as well as a regular snack.
My teenagers tried them out after I brought them, and guess what — they’re hooked too. I know find myself going to the grocery store to look for them, and end up grabbing 6 - 8 boxes if I can find them!! I’ve brought the cheddar, the parmesan, the romano, all of these.
They really do go like hot cakes at our home. I serve them with dips to our guests as well, who all ask what they are, and the name of the brand, so I give Trader Joe’s Our Huge Thumbs Up!!!
Maria