Instantly recognizable from its vibrant, ruddy hue and sharp, Cheddar-like flavor, Trader Joe’s Red Leicester Cheese comes to us from a farmer-owned cooperative that’s been in the cheesemaking business for well over a hundred years. From their farms, located in this Cheese’s namesake county of Leicestershire in England, they carefully craft, age, and shape each puck-sized wheel to ensure only the highest quality, most perfectly matured Leicester makes its way to our stores. After that, they coat each wheel in deep red wax, so that when you take it home, peeling it open to serve feels a bit like opening up a culinary gift to yourself.

With its signature rich, red-orange color (courtesy of annatto, a natural coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree) and delightfully nutty, savory, and delicately sweet flavor profile (courtesy of the expertise provided by our esteemed supplier), Trader Joe’s Red Leicester truly stands out on any cheese board or charcuterie plate. It’s also renowned within the greater cheese world for its marvelous meltability: we recommend trying it sliced on a burger, mixed into mashed potatoes, or shredded and served over hot scrambled eggs.