I'm a snob when it comes to pre-shredded cheeses—almost everyone who works in the food industry is. Sure, it's convenient, but the cheese is often dry, stale, and well, dusty—thanks to the anti-caking agents that companies add to keep the cheese from clumping.

But my friend Kristine (who is a huge ALDI fan) surprised me last week with a goodie bag of all her favorite ALDI products to taste test. Among the many pleasant surprises was this super-flavorful cheese blend.

From the outside, I wouldn't trust this cheese more than those other dusty pretenders. But I promised Kristine I would try everything she brought, so I grabbed a pinch to taste.

Honestly, I was shocked. The flavor was somewhere between a tangy sharp cheddar and a rich, mellow mild cheddar. The texture was equally surprising—it was super smooth and not the least bit dusty. The package boasts a blend of cheese from Wisconsin, New York, and Vermont, which is impressive all on its own. That's like, three states' worth of cheese, y'all.

I don't know what kind of magic ALDI is up to over at their Happy Farms workshop, but I'm here for it. This blend is great for taco night, topping a casserole, and who knows what else.

Don't get me wrong—I still think shredding your own cheese is best, especially for cheese straws and pimiento cheese. But this tasty blend is tempting me to give it a try in more cheesy recipes...