Trader Joe’s Stripey Joe Cheese Review

Trader Joe’s new Stripey Joe cheese would look good on a charcuterie board. There’s no denying that. A multicolored mix of four English cheeses (Cheshire, Cheddar, Double Gloucester, and Red Leicester), this linear cheese is an eye-catching ode to British curds. Or is it just a very smart way to use up cheese scraps? I gave the new fromage a taste to find out.

New Product!

Stripey Joe Cheese

Trader Joe’s

My first question is: How am I supposed to eat this? The description on the Trader Joe’s website implies the cheeses should all be enjoyed at once for a “kind of culinary harmony.” But my mouth isn’t wide enough to make that possible. Nevertheless, I tried to stretch my mouth to fit the four-cheese-wide slice. It wasn’t the most pleasurable sensation, but I managed to fill my mouth with all the cheeses at one. And the result? It’s extremely flavorful and mostly creamy. But there are just too many competing cheeses and one cheese with a slightly crumbly texture that just makes the whole experience less than ideal. It turns out that I am a cheese purist. I would much prefer a wedge of Double Gloucester next to a wedge of Cheddar, enjoyed separately. The Trader Joe’s website suggests slicing the cheese for a burger—and I can see that being the best use case. That, or using it for wow-factor alone on a cheeseboard. Points for aesthetics, but I can’t say this is going to be my new must-have cheese. (Please, don’t let this discourage you, Trader Joe’s! I love your innovative spirit. Keep dreaming.)

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde

Rating:

4.5/10

Sporks

Tasting Trader Joe’s Stripey Joe Cheese

About the Author

Hi! I’m the editor-in-chief of Sporked. I will never turn down a fresh-shucked oyster but I’ll also leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and I love a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients. Why you should trust me: I have been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and am an avid at-home cook and snacker. I began my career writing about fine dining and recipes, moved into cocktails and spirits, and now I talk about groceries. If you can eat it or drink it, I’ve probably written about it. What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s dried okra. Appleton Farms prosciutto from Aldi. Some sort of Trader Joe’s cheese (I’m into the aged gouda at the moment). Frozen waffles (usually the Eggo Cinnamon Toast Minis). Spindrift water (loving the Cosmopolitan right now). Favorite ranking: Smoked salmon. Imagine me as Scrooge McDuck but instead of coins I’m diving into a vault of slippery smoked salmon slices. Pure joy. I also found some real steals in that taste test! Least favorite ranking: Canned oysters. I had such high hopes for this but it quickly became a chore. The kitchen smelled like an uncleaned aquarium.