Unexpected Cheddar Cheese — MUNCH

Munch or Dump rates Unexpected Cheddar Cheese by Trader Joe's MUNCH — score 100/90.

It is just aged cheddar: milk, cultures, salt, and a vegetarian microbial enzyme. The parmesan-like crunch comes from tyrosine crystals that form during aging, not from any additive. Four honest ingredients, no colors, no preservatives, no fillers.

Why this verdict

• Four-ingredient real cheese with nothing added
• Microbial enzyme means it is vegetarian-friendly rennet
• The signature crystals are natural aging, not an engineered texture
• High in protein and calcium as any real cheese is
• Only caveats are saturated fat and sodium, inherent to aged cheddar

Ingredients (4)

• pasteurized milk (safe) — The whole-food base of the cheese.
• CHEESE CULTURES (safe) — Beneficial bacteria used to ferment and age the cheese.
• Salt (moderate) — Adds sodium; the only reason to watch portions if you are sodium-sensitive.
• Microbial enzyme (safe) — Vegetarian rennet substitute that coagulates the milk.