Trader Joe's Sliced Yogurt Cultured Cheese

Welcome to a new series of what I like to call "pay more for less." The assumption is that the underlying value is that you should pay more for more and pay less for less and that the best definition of "value" is maximum quantity for the minimum price. For people who are accustomed to bulk bins, big box wholesalers like Costco or Sam's Club, never buying anything full price ever (I really thought everyone shopped like this....and later discovered during college that this is not true), it makes no sense why you would pay more for less. And it brings up the age old discussion - is Trader Joe's expensive? That gets into an almost philosophical discussion about class, culture, and economics...but y'all came here to see if this cheese is good. Maybe another day. 

What is cheese if not cultured? Is this product title redundant? Does redundancy add charm or make it look like you're trying hard to make a product look cool? In any event, I've seen non-dairy cheese, vegan cheese, but hardly any Lactaid cheese or cheese for the lactose intolerant. There's more lactose intolerant people in the world than you think; we've all just silently suffered the consequences because what is life without pizza or a charcuterie board? 

1) This cheese is made with yogurt cultures. I don't really know what that means because I've never made cheese before. But let's assume that between the microbial enzyme and the yogurt cultures, it eases digestion. Cool. 

2) The calcium content in cheese is laughable but better than nothing. Also without vitamin D, your calcium intake from cheese is virtually worthless. Aside from that, I'm eating cheese because I like it and it makes my doctor happy that I'm getting a tiny bit more calcium in my diet. 

3) It gives me vibes of a very mild swiss cheese. It just tastes...like a plain cheese, which I imagine would go over well with kids who like food on the blander side. I've been eating in sandwiches, with crackers, and just one slice at a time as a snack. Like a kid. 

4) Yes, it is very digestible. No lactase required for me. :P

5) It's also $4.99 for 12 oz, which means it's like $6.65 ish per pound. Considering that I grew up on bulk quantities of fake cheese...that sticker price is a bit much. Hence paying more for less. 

5b) But also...I haven't seen Lactaid cheeses or a comparable product at other grocery stores. Sooo yay for TJ's for thinking of the lactose intolerant. 

6) It is a sometimes buy for me because frankly, it is a bit much for a not-bougie cheese that will not make it to a charcuterie board. It's not break-the-bank expensive, but it's not exactly the cheapest cheese out there. But I guess when you're lactose intolerant, you have to pay for your cheese consumption, one way or another. 

Trader Joe's Sliced Yogurt Cultured Cheese. A mild, Lactaid cheese. 7 out of 10. Mantou Joe repurchase? Sometimes!