Basic but Brilliant! (Sainsbury's Basics Full Flavour Cheddar)

Member Name: i_am_joy

Product:	Sainsbury's Basics Full Flavour Cheddar
Date:	12/06/09 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tastes nice, versatile, slices and grates well

Disadvantages: Full of cheesy fat!

I am not a big cheese eater even though I do really enjoy the stuff, it's the fat content that puts me off and considering I have been on a diet since the year dot it has gradually become a less and less common purchase for me. I only have this block of Sainsburys Basics Full Flavour Cheddar because my daughter accidentally ordered two during her last online shop and rather than going to the effort of sending it back she sent it over for me as I have two of the girls' staying this weekend and they always complain that Nan has never got any of their beloved cheese in the fridge.

I've used it twice and must say I'm quite impressed. The cheese hasn't got a particularly rich flavour, certainly not compared to my usual Cathedral City, and it's not a mature cheese as I had been expecting from the name of the product. It has however got a pleasant flavour which I find is particularly apparent when used for cheese on toast as I had for my breakfast this morning, the cheese melts beautifully and retains it's sunny golden colour well. The flavours come through very nicely and I think it's especially good when grated and mixed with a beaten egg before grilling on toast, perhaps with a dash of Worcestershire sauce.

Used for sandwiches this Basics cheese slices well, it doesn't crumble into pieces as the Tesco Value cheese tends to and it was easy to slice the cheese from the block as thinly or thickly as I required. It has a fairly moist consistency which I was surprised about as I have found in the past that cheaper cheese tend to be drier and this affects not only the overall flavour but also the way you need to handle and serve the cheese. I wouldn't say it's particularly creamy, again comparing this cheese to Cathedral City it has a rather bland texture as you're eating but once I've livened my sandwich up with a dollop of spring onion mayo or slices of pickled beetroot then this seems to bring the cheese to life with both the flavour and texture improving no end.

The price of this cheese is the most surprising thing of all, it's very cheap compared to almost every other cheese in Sainsbury's - with the possible exception of Edam which is generally as cheap as chips wherever you shop. I don't know exactly how much this large block cost, but I have just checked on www.sainsburys.co.uk and the Basics cheese is priced at £5.98 per kilogram whereas Cathedral City is £8.74 for the same weight. Now, I know this cheese just isn't in the same league as it's more expensive counterparts but I must confess it's a very nice cheese indeed and I shall certainly bear it in mind for the next time I need to buy some.

I almost forgot, I HAVE used this cheese before! I'm a big fat fibber, aren't I? It was for my granddaughter's birthday party last August, I remember buying a block because I needed a lot of cheese to make trays of cheese and pineapple on sticks - they were all eaten so everyone must have enjoyed it as my family are generally a picky lot!

Summary: Save yourself £'s by switching to this cheese from the Basics range.