Luxury cheese is usually the first thing we cut from the budget when money is tight. It is hard to justify spending twelve dollars on a wedge of Gruyère for a casual snack. But there is a secret basket in almost every grocery store deli that solves this problem. You just have to know where to look for the orphans of the cheese world.
The “Ends and Pieces” Basket
When a deli worker slices a block of cheese, they eventually get down to a small chunk. They cannot run this small piece through the slicer safely without risking injury. Instead of throwing it away, they wrap these nubbins in plastic wrap. They then slap a deeply discounted price tag on them and toss them in a basket.
Where To Look
The basket is rarely sitting at eye level. You usually have to hunt for it on top of the deli counter or tucked off to the side near the scale. It might be labeled “Cheese Ends,” “Remnants,” or simply have a sign that says “Under $3.” Sometimes it is even hidden in a small refrigerated bin near the fancy olives. It often feels like a treasure hunt to find it, but the reward is worth the effort.
Why It Is a Steal
These chunks are often priced at a flat rate regardless of their actual weight, which creates a massive arbitrage opportunity. You might find a chunky piece of Parmesan Reggiano for two dollars that would normally cost fifteen dollars if bought from the main case. This allows you to try expensive, imported varieties without committing to a twenty-dollar purchase. It is the perfect low-risk way to expand your palate and find new favorites. You can essentially build a gourmet cheese board for the price of a fast-food burger.
How to Use Them
These pieces are often odd shapes that do not look pretty on a cracker, but they are perfect for cooking. That awkward triangle of Provolone melts just as well as a perfect slice when you put it in a grilled cheese sandwich. You can grate the hard cheeses like Asiago or Parmesan over your pasta for a punch of salty flavor. You can crumble the blue cheese ends over a simple salad to elevate it instantly. The taste is the same as the full-price block, so the shape truly does not matter.
The Soft Cheese Clearance
You should also look for a separate clearance area for soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert. These cheeses have a specific “best by” date, and stores will mark them down aggressively as that date approaches. The secret is that soft cheese is actually at its absolute peak flavor right around that expiration date. You can buy a wheel of Brie for fifty percent off, which is perfectly ripe and ready to eat that night. It feels like you are getting away with robbery, but you are actually saving the store from food waste.
The Rind Advantage
Many of the hard cheese ends you find will have a significant amount of rind on them. Do not make the mistake of throwing those hard rinds away. You can freeze them and toss them into a pot of soup or tomato sauce later. As the soup simmers, the rind releases a deep, savory richness that you cannot get from salt alone. It is a chef’s secret for making professional-quality soups at home for almost zero cost.
The Cheese Hunt
Next time you are at the store, do a lap around the deli counter. If you find the orphan basket, you should definitely dig through it. You might walk out with a pocketful of gourmet cheese for less than the price of a candy bar. It is the best way to add luxury to your meals without breaking the bank.
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The post How to Find One Dollar Gourmet Cheeses in the Deli appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
