Ready grated vs block Cheddar

Penny-Pincher!!

We usually buy mature cheddar in a block when on offer as we dont use as much with it being stronger and works out cheaper in the long run.

I did buy 2 bags of mature grated cheddar from M&S 2 weeks ago as they were on offer at 2 for £3 and were excellent value. I took a bag away with us on holiday as its easy for me being disabled and bad hands and put the other in the freezer.

I went off the Value cheeses once I found out what was in there and not bought since.

Yesterday in my Asda order I bought 2 x 275g of Organic Mature cheddar for £3.00 which I thought was great value.

HTH

PP
xx

natzini

We buy it in a block and then grate it in the food procesor when we need it.

AudreyHepburn_2

Just checked – the Value Grated cheese is “real cheese” not substitute :-)

Another anomaly:

Tesco Value Block "full flavour" cheese is £6.26 per kilo,

Grated Tesco mature cheese (NOT value) is £5.98 per kilo.

To my mind this makes the ready grated cheese a better buy.

It is cheaper in pence per kilo and you use less by taking what you need from the packet and freeze the rest, instead of cutting off more than you need to grate it and eating the chunk left in your hand J

FairyElephant_2

Lidl's grated mature cheddar is a lot cheaper per kilo than the block price (sorry can't remeber the prices at the mo and don't have my receipts with me). I found it was fine in sauces and to top pasta-bakes etc.

Somehow it just feels 'wrong' though, I agree, to buy pre-grated cheese - I found myself explaining why I had done it, almost apologetically, to my mum when she found it in my fridge the other day!!!!!! (when she found out the price difference though she understood and has since bought some herself!).

The only reason I can think it is cheaper is I guess maybe they grate all the 'bits' that are left over when they've cut the blocks down into standard sizes???

Daisymac_2

We use the Mr T Value ready grated cheddar and it is OK for on top of jacket Pots, in cooking etc etc, but it isw a bit 'rubbery' and bland tasting for sandwhiches etc.

Gunna

Do you not find though that grated cheese has a powdery coating on it ??

I bought Catherdral grated ages and ages agon on offer in Tesco( 2 for something) then when i used it my hands were covered in this powdery stuff like flour and i didn't like the taste of the cheese in my sandwiches......is all cheese coated in this to stop it sticking or something

I am gonna keep my eyes open anyway and buy cheese on offer(i personally love Davidstow but it is pricey but oooooh yummy lol)and am defo going to grate and freeze it as mentioned by Bargainhunter(thanks for that one )!!

Whenever i cut it into slices i use way to much i used to buy the pre-sliced cheese(Tesco medium) which was ok priced and nice for OH sandwiches but now it is like £1.50 for 10 slices which to me is a rip off lol(will have to check price per kg)!!!!!

thriftlady_2

Gunna wrote: »

Do you not find though that grated cheese has a powdery coating on it ??

It's an anti-caking agent. I don't think it is anything too nasty though.

I'm very fussy about my cheese -it has to be home produced (unless it is Parmesan). The value cheeses never say where they're from so I assume they aren't British. I like Davidstow too.

Caterina

I only buy grated mozzarella if I am making pizza, because the wet stuff is not good for the dough, it makes it all soggy and stringy. The real mozzarella for pizza in Italy is called "fior di latte" (flower of milk) and is a lot denser than the wet stuff that you can buy in balls in UK supermarkets.

An alternative for pizza is the block mozzarella, which is a lot drier than the wet ball one, but it is quite a lot more expensive than the grated one.

I cannot stand ready grated cheddar, it seems to go dry so quickly even if you close the bag very carefully. If I need to grate large quantities, I use my DH's manpower and our large grater!

Someone also mentioned the food processor, that's also a quick and easy (if not entirely OS - but still worthwhile) way of grating the cheese.

Caterina

shankley4ever

Gunna wrote: »

Do you not find though that grated cheese has a powdery coating on it ??

its usually potato starch....I dont like it either

Magentasue

Will definitely stick to BOGOF or reduced cheddar then - don't like simple foods messed about with. Have bought grated mozzarella for reasons given by caterina. I freeze grated cheese too. It's usually just for emergencies and just squeezing the bag breaks it up ready to stir into a sauce. Like thriftlady, I'm fussy about what I buy - I don't buy meat so I reckon that entitles me to quality cheese!