Welcome back to the Cheese Corner! I’ll be taking over for Matteo this issue, and I’m bread-y to send you into the summer with a new cheese recommendation: Garlic Bread Cheese.

Garlic Bread cheese is a member of a wider family of cheeses known as “bread cheeses,” which, somewhat surprisingly, do not contain any bread. 

Bread cheeses come from Scandinavia, originally called Juustoleipä, and they get their title from mimicking the structure of a loaf of bread. 

Bread cheeses are baked in special ovens that caramelize the sugars present in milk, giving the cheese a toasted crust and a softer inner layer, just like most breads.

This crust gives bread cheeses a sweeter taste profile and a stronger structure than most cheeses, and their unique taste profile lends itself to sweeter pairings, like fruit jams or honey and savory options, like sliced tomatoes or bacon. Additionally, they are often served warm or sautéed.

The Garlic Bread Cheese I had for this review came from Aldi’s collection of bread cheeses, including traditional bread cheese and bacon bread cheese. The packaging recommends cutting the square into strips or small cubes, heating it in a microwave or pan frying, and serving it with marinara sauce.

Adding garlic gives the cheese a flavor that fairly accurately replicates garlic bread when standing alone, and the flavor blends with marinara sauce quite well. It is best served after being sauteéd in strips so the edges sear slightly while still warm.

I would recommend Garlic Bread Cheese as a standalone side dish for an Italian meal or even as a snack on its own. Currently, it is on sale at Aldi as a seasonal item, so if the cheese interests you, try it sooner rather than later!