Trader Joe’s Spicy Cheese Crunchies: Similar in shape, size, and consistency to crunchy Cheetos, these spicy cheese crunches from Trader Joe's have a strong hot-sauce flavor that tastes most prominently of chili and vinegar. It reminds me a bit of their bottled Chipotle Pepper hot sauce, which I enjoy adding a few drops of on scrambled eggs, but is not something I really want to eat by the handful. Overall, it's just so-so. 2.5/5.0
traderjoes spicy cheese crunchies 2.5
Balthazar Blueberry cheese danish: Purchased from Harney & Sons tea shop in SoHo, this blueberry cheese danish from Balthazar was a delicious sweet treat. Flaky pastry with sugar crystals surrounds a sweetened egg and cheese custard. Fresh blueberries at the center are bright and fresh. A nice dessert to eat alongside tea, or by itself. 4.0/5.0
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Beanitos White bean Mac n cheese crunch: These corn-alternative snacks have an irregular crunchy texture with a similar size to puffed Cheetos. The Mac n Cheese flavor is just a marketing spin on cheddar (more on an actual cheese puff whose flavor resembles boxed Mac and cheese in a forthcoming review). They have a slightly less neutral taste than regular corn puffs, with an aftertaste that resembles wheat snacks. Not bad, but not particularly memorable. 3.0/5.0
junkfood cheese cheddar cheesepuffs beanitos white bean mac n crunch 3.0
Lesser Evil No cheese paleo puffs : Here’s a surprisingly good find at Whole Foods. Letter Evil now has a line of paleo-friendly snacks that contain no grains or cheese (and are thus gluten-free and vegan). While the beige-colored macaroni-shaped pieces look a bit like maggots, they have a consistency slightly crunchier than crunchy Cheetos and a mildly sharp cheese flavor that builds over time. Kind of like how the soy mac and cheese flavor of Amy’s frozen pasta is better than their normal cheese flavor, this snack has a dist... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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Cheeseboard Cheese Roll: This is a quintessential offering at Cheeseboard, combining the two things the famed bakery is know for: cheese and bread. The roll has a tangy, sharp flavor both from the melted crispy gruyere and from its sourdough base. Slightly crusty but soft and fluffy inside, it’s delicious in its simplicity. 3.5/5.0
recommended berkeley bread cheeseboard cheese roll 3.5
Annie’s Organic white cheddar bunny tail puffs: I haven’t purchased boxed mac and cheese since I graduated from school, but I’m not ashamed to admit that this cheap and quick staple was a regular in my pantry all throughout college and grad school. I generally preferred the white cheddar kind, like the white cheddar shells from Trader Joe’s and the Yummy Cheese flavor from Annie’s. Recently, I found that Annie’s is actually owned by General Mills, which gave me some pause when considering whether to purchased this snack. But given how muc... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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