When did cheese boards become a must-have for every gathering? I’m a fan, too. I love shopping for cheese and snacking at parties. But with prices soaring—like Parmigiano Reggiano hitting nearly $25 a pound—creating a great cheese spread can feel impossible. That was until I found a clever tip.
My shopping game changed when I spotted a bright yellow sticker on cheese at Whole Foods. It read: “50% off today!”
These discount cheeses sit among the regular-priced ones, making them easy to find. If you struggle to locate them, ask a cheesemonger for help. They often know where the best deals are.
Over the last six months, I’ve saved a ton of money by choosing these half-priced cheeses. With the holiday season approaching—it’s the peak time for cheese—this could help you save, too.
According to the cheesemonger, cheeses are marked down for a couple of reasons. Many cheeses nearing their sell-by date are sold for half price. While sell-by dates can sound alarming, they aren’t always an indicator of safety. Cheese often remains good long after this date. You can tell it’s time to toss it by checking for strange smells, visible mold, or odd textures.
Some cheeses also get discounts because they might not look perfect but taste amazing. For example, I recently bought Caña de Cabra, a delicious Spanish goat cheese. It usually sells for over $30 a pound, but since its end was a bit less visually appealing, I snagged it on sale.
You can find other discounted cheeses, like Jasper Hill Farm Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, which is typically pricey. It offers rich, nutty flavors and a satisfying crunch. Buying from the 50%-off selection has also encouraged me to try varieties I wouldn’t normally pick, like Quicke’s Goat Milk Cheddar and Kaltbach Le Crémeux, an Alpine cheese aged in caves.
This holiday season, keep an eye out for that yellow sticker. It can change your cheese game and save you money. If you want to read more about food safety and sell-by dates, check out the USDA’s guidelines on food product dating.
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