When did a cheeseboard become a prerequisite for any dinner party or holiday celebration? Don’t get me wrong; I love shopping for and assembling a cheese board. You’ll find me standing next to it, munching away, at most parties. But when Parmigiano Reggiano is priced at nearly $25 per pound, the cost of creating an excellent spread of cheeses, meats, and more has become increasingly unattainable — until I discovered a game-changing grocery tip.
My charcuterie shopping strategy changed the moment I noticed a bright yellow sticker on wheels and wedges of cheese at my local Whole Foods. “Enjoy today: 50% off with this coupon,” it read.
The discounted items were interspersed with the full-priced ones, easily visible to a keen eye. If you’re having trouble locating the discounted cheeses, talk to a cheesemonger to see if you’ve missed any items or if they know of any upcoming discounts.
For the last six months, I’ve saved hundreds of dollars on premium cheeses by buying these half-off options. As we enter the holiday season — likely the most cheese-laden time of year — this could save you money, too.
The cheesemonger at my local Whole Foods in New York City explained that there are a few reasons why cheeses may get such a significant markdown at the Amazon-owned chain. Primarily, cheeses that will soon reach their sell-by date are sold at half price.
Like many products labeled with a sell-by date — a label that is not regulated by the federal government, used consistently, or meant to indicate food safety — cheese can often be eaten long after the sell-by date printed on the label. Cheese gives us clues when it’s time to discard it through smell (off odors), appearance (visible mold), or texture (an unusual sliminess or dryness).
Additionally, the cheesemonger informed me that some visibly imperfect — but equally delicious — cuts of cheese are discounted right away.
This was the case with a decadent, tangy Spanish goat cheese I purchased called Caña de Cabra. The soft-ripened cheese comes in a long log, sliced into rounds for individual purchases. The end of the log has an extra side covered in rind, which, while completely edible, is considered less ideal by some consumers — so I was able to try a cheese that typically sells for more than $30 per pound at a steep discount.
Cheeses with harmless discoloration are often sold for half-off at Whole Foods too, like the hunk of Jasper Hill Farm Cabot Clothbound Cheddar I recently scored. This typically pricey cheese offers nutty, complex flavor and pleasing, crunchy crystals; it also happens to come from one of the best cheesemakers in the world.
Savings aside, the biggest boon of exclusively shopping from the 50%-off cheese selection has been trying new cheeses I wouldn’t have picked up previously. Much like shopping for wine, buying cheese can feel confusing and overwhelming, and I often end up buying the same products over and over again. Now, thanks to Whole Foods, I know I love Quicke’s Goat Milk Cheddar, Mitica’s salty and aged Mahón Curado, and Kaltbach Le Crémeux, an Alpine-style cheese that’s been aged in caves.
This holiday season, do yourself a favor and look for that yellow sticker. Your wallet will thank you, and your cheese-shopping habits might just change for good.
Dining and Cooking