12 Cheeses You Should And Shouldn't Be Buying From Aldi

No one is entirely certain when people began producing cheese, but historians know that the process had already become popular during the height of the Roman Empire. Today, people across the world enjoy countless iterations of this beloved dairy product on its own and as part of other dishes. A typical U.S. resident eats over 40 pounds of cheese per year as of 2021, representing an increase of five pounds over the last 10 years. 

Regarding cheese, the supermarket chain Aldi has made quite a name for itself. The company won the U.S. Product of the Year Award in the cheese category every year between 2020 and 2023, with a different product taking home the award each year. Aldi offers many basic cheeses consumers might expect to see at grocery stores, plus some exclusive flavors and seasonal varieties that are as unique as they are delicious. Some of the store's best cheeses are comparable to (or better than) high-end brands and are excellent options for your next cheese board. To that end, diehard Aldi fans have expressed their love for these cheeses across social media. 

However, some products don't live up to these standards. Despite their reasonable prices, these sub-par cheeses aren't worth adding to your grocery list. Here are some of the best and worst cheeses Aldi currently has to offer.

Occasionally, a food product is mislabeled so severely that it inspires a class-action lawsuit. In 2021, Aldi faced legal woes over the sliced version of its Emporium Selection Smoked Gouda Cheese due to misleading information on the label. According to court documents, Aldi used a food additive called liquid smoke to flavor its Gouda, instead of naturally smoking the cheese. The flavor it imparts is very mild, only adding a slight hint of smoke to complement the natural sweetness of the cheese. This could be disappointing for consumers who want a more full-bodied smokiness. 

The plaintiff argued that the label should reflect that the cheese is smoke-flavored instead of literally smoked given that the resulting taste isn't fully comparable. Although the lawsuit centered around the sliced smoked Gouda, the not-quite-transparent advertising may make consumers think twice about purchasing the block version, too. Nevertheless, liquid smoke is a widely used flavor enhancer that has been on the FDA's list of "Generally Recognized As Safe" ingredients for decades. For those who are less particular about the origins of a product's cookout-inspired flavor, the cheese could still be worth trying.

Cream cheese is one of the most versatile dairy products around. It forms the basis of multiple sauces and dips, can be part of delicious cake frosting, and it's hard to find a more perfect food pairing than cream cheese and bagels. The most readily available option in Aldi stores is Happy Farms Cream Cheese, which comes in the familiar block variety or as a spread. Consumers can purchase the spreadable version in either a traditional or whipped texture. All three options are the same size, so shoppers can take their pick without sacrificing on quantity. Unfortunately, though, many argue that this cheese's quality is another thing altogether. Some Aldi fans think shoppers should skip this product altogether. 

One Reddit user devoted a whole thread to complaining about the blandness of this cream cheese, and many other users agreed. The thread's comment section is full of consumers who are disappointed with this spread's lackluster flavor, especially compared to some of Aldi's other products. Consumers have lodged similar complaints on Facebook, where one poster notes that the cream cheese they purchased had an unpleasantly tart flavor. Several other users echoed this concern, though some were more forgiving of this product. Overall, the lack of consistency in the taste of this cream cheese may not be worth the risk, even for such a low price.

No one expects sliced American cheese to be superior to other types of cheese. Still, Aldi fans are divided on whether or not Happy Farms American Cheese Singles stack up to the competition. This cheese comes in a 16-slice package for a decent price, but some Reddit users believe it leaves much to be desired. A few bluntly describe this cheese as trash, while one user even theorizes that milk bottles might be included in the ingredients list. Furthermore, some users dislike the consistency of this cheese when it's melted, which can make for a disappointing grilled cheese sandwich. 

The consensus is that this cheese's flavor and texture pales when measured against other brands. However, not all Happy Farms American cheese is of low quality. Most posters in the Reddit thread agree that the deluxe version of this product is a much better buy in terms of taste. These slices are less processed than their individually-wrapped counterparts and have a more convincing cheese flavor. They also have a more pleasing melt factor, making them perfect for both hot and cold sandwiches. However, the deluxe slices are more expensive than the standard version.

Aldi often features cheeses with unique flavor combinations, and Emporium Selection Hot Honey Gouda Cheese is no exception. This cheese is part of a summer-themed selection of flavored Goudas, which also includes spinach and artichoke and Sriracha varieties. Since spicy hot honey has become a cult favorite in recent years, it's no surprise that the discount grocery chain tried to capitalize on the distinctive condiment with this cheese. Unfortunately, as a TikTok reviewer and others have discovered, this cheese doesn't live up to its exciting name. 

The reviewer tried this cheese melted and found that it had a nice consistency. However, it was utterly devoid of honey flavor. The cheese is also not particularly spicy despite the presence of crushed red pepper on its ingredients list. Although Gouda is delicious in its unadulterated form, this cheese will likely disappoint those who are craving the taste of hot honey. Unfortunately, it is also the weakest option in its product group. As one Aldi aficionado posted on Instagram, the other two flavors are far better than the Hot Honey Gouda. Based on the comments on this post, most Gouda lovers would be better off trying the Sriracha Gouda.

Brie likely has its origins in 7th-century France and is still beloved by cheese connoisseurs today. For Aldi shoppers, this soft cheese comes in the form of the Emporium Selection Brie Cheese Round. This basic brie is available year-round and is best served gently warmed or at room temperature. Although the low price may make this product seem like a steal, the taste may push consumers to look elsewhere for their favorite French cheese. 

Brie is typically nutty and buttery, but many Reddit users feel that Aldi's version fails to capture that signature flavor. In the thread, the original poster describes their struggle to like this cheese, explaining that they tried it with and without the rind. They found the inner cheese tasteless and overly salty. Several users responded with their own criticisms, describing the cheese as too mild and bland. One user didn't pull any punches when giving their opinion: "It tastes like the smell of wet paper towels. It's the only Aldi cheese I won't buy."

Most consumers expect deli-style cheese to be thinly sliced, but Happy Farms Deli-Sliced Swiss Cheese doesn't quite deliver on that promise. The cheese comes in a resealable package of 11 slices and is an affordable sandwich option. However, the slices are slightly thicker than many other deli-sliced cheeses, which may be disappointing for some Swiss cheese fans. Even if the slice thickness isn't an issue, the flavor might be. A YouTube reviewer had a mostly neutral reaction to this ho-hum cheese, describing it as neither awful nor excellent. 

Furthermore, Aldi Reviewer points out another problem: the packaging. The cheese comes in a plastic tray with a resealable flap that does little to protect it from air exposure. The result is a cheese that dries out faster than products in more secure containers, creating an unpleasant texture. Unfortunately, the packaging also contributes to premature spoilage. Unless consumers repackage this cheese themselves after opening it, they may find it growing mold long before they can finish eating it.