String Cheese Battle!

Ashlie

The not-so-ultimate, String Cheese Battle!

The contenders:

Galbani, Sunnyside, Frigo, Sargento, Queso Oaxaca

Not that we really need to battle it out, all string cheese has strengths and weaknesses. I have found over the years that string cheese preference is a very personal thing.  My boyfriend and I both enjoy a certain style and flavor profile, others may enjoy something the opposite.  I rated out of 5 for Stringyness and Flavor and provided some footnotes on variety.  I only included cheeses available in my area. 

Let’s get started!

Galbani

Sorrento Original. The most moist of the string cheese on today’s list. Least preferred. Honestly really gross.

Stringyness: 2 out of 5. It’s so moist it really does not string well.

Flavor: 1 out of 5. There isn’t much flavor in the ones I’ve had. It just had texture. I had to heat it up to melting for any flavor to come through and even then it was not very good.

Variety: On par with their competitors, they have a large variety to offer consumers.

It is interesting to note that I can’t find the “Sorrento” version on their website. Just at Costco and all of my local stores. I also can’t find other items on their website that are sold locally. I’m inclined to think we are getting some lower quality version packaged in bulk, as I see rave reviews for Galbani and I raise an eyebrow every time.

The Galbani logo is the same, but packaging is quite different from their website offerings: Left is the slop offered here, right is the one officially on their website.

 

 

What’s up with that, Galbani?

Sunnyside

Original. Least moist, my preferred level of moisture and most liked of all of the cheeses available here.

Stringyness: 5 out of 5. I can peel super thin strings for a while on one stick. Great fun.

Flavor: 3 out of 5. I wouldn’t say it tastes like Mozzarella, but it is a pleasing flavor and good saline quality.

Variety: None. There is one kind of string cheese available in my stores from this company. If they make more, that’s awesome, but I’m not aware of it. They are a local company to me as well.

Frigo

Owned by Saputo USA. Original flavor. More moist, but not the most moist of them. Added vitamins to keep you healthy.

Stringyness: 3 out of 5. It’s a bit difficult to string from the moisture level, but still strings some.

Flavor: 4 out of 5. Has a nice saline hit that I enjoy, and tastes like mozzarella.

Variety: Large! 5 out of 5.

Sargento

Original. Low moisture, part skim, mozzarella.

Stringyness: 4 out of 5. Have no problems getting my tiny cheese ribbons from this cheese.

Flavor: 3 out of 5. It tastes like mozzarella. It’s saline quality is very neutral. Probably the most pure of the cheese flavors.

Variety: Sargento has a large variety of cheese stick snacks. 5 out of 5 as well.

Queso Oaxaca by El Mexicano and Cacique

 

This is a special kind of cheese my friend’s Abuelita calls “Mexican String Cheese.” My initial taste of this from El Mexicano earned it a place on this list. Cacique makes a wonderful one as well. My most recent batch of El Mexicano was a huge disappointment in quality. I will be trying Cacique again after that.  That said, let’s get on with the ratings:

Stringyness: depends on the batch. The first batch of Queso Oaxaca I ever had was super stringy 5 out of 5. The most recent batch I got was 1 out of 5. Too moist and not stringy at all.

Flavor:  1st time: 5 out of 5. I had to lock this stuff away, it was so good. Cheesy and salty. Perfect.  Most recent batch: Not flavorful and bland.

Variety: None. Queso Oaxaca is it’s own style of cheese. When it’s good, it’s amazing. When it’s not, it’s disappointment.

Other Brands

I know of other brands such as Kraft, Lucerne, Precious, Polly-O, Meijer, Crystal Farms, Horizon, H-E-B.  I have tried Kraft, Precious, Horizon, and Lucerne, but not in the last 5 years and they are not offered in my new local area.  The others are just not available in my area or even my state.

 

Note: I’m not getting paid by any of these companies. I’m just a lactose intolerant cheese enthusiast with time on her hands. Though, if you are from one of these companies and want to pay me, contact me and we can chat. Seriously.

 

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