I Tried 10 Different String Cheese Brands To Find the Best of the Best

Very few snacks hit the sweet spot of fun, nostalgia and practicality quite like string cheese. Whether you were the kid who carefully peeled it into a bunch of wispy strings or the one who unapologetically bit right into the stick, there’s something universally comforting about unwrapping that little packet of mozzarella.

As a parent now, I’ve rediscovered string cheese in a whole new way. It’s not only the easiest grab-and-go snack for the kids’ lunchboxes and on-the-go munching, but it’s also a satisfying protein boost for adults who need a bite between meals.

And as is the case with all types of snacks, not all string cheese is created equal. Some brands nail that perfect balance of saltiness, creaminess and stretch, while others fall flat with bland flavor or tough texture—or both. Because string cheese is such a staple, I wanted to put the most popular brands to the test to see which ones are worth tossing in your cart and which ones you’re better off skipping.

To find the best string cheese, I gathered up ten contenders, including iconic names like Polly-O and Frigo and store brands from Trader Joe’s, Aldi and Stop & Shop, and tasted them side by side with my kids, aka the ultimate string cheese authorities. We judged them on flavor, texture, stringiness (the peel is half the fun after all!) and overall snackability. Some were instant hits, others got a “no thank you” after one bite and one brand emerged as the clear winner.

Related:Panera Soups, Ranked: The Bowls Worth Ordering (And Which Ones to Skip)

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter. 🍳🍔

What Is String Cheese, Anyway?

String cheese is the most playful member of the mozzarella family. Unlike blocks of cheese you slice, mozzarella can be stretched and pulled thanks to the way it’s heated and kneaded during production. This process aligns the proteins so they peel apart into those satisfying strings we all know and love. That’s why only mozzarella (and mozzarella-based blends) can truly call themselves string cheese—it’s science, not marketing.

Related: The Italian Way to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich 10x Better

Is String Cheese Healthy?

String cheese is more than just a fun snack. It’s a source of protein and calcium, and if you opt for whole milk versions, you’ll also get some healthy fats that help keep you full. Protein is especially important for kids, because it supports growth, muscle repair and immune health. And calcium, of course, is essential for building strong bones and teeth.

“Protein-rich snacks like string cheese can be a great way to keep kids energized and satisfied between meals—or even as a bedtime snack,” Miranda Hammer, MS, RD, CDN, tells Parade.

A single stick is also portion-controlled and portable, making it a better pick than many grab-and-go snacks. Hammer notes that it’s also worth looking at the ingredients list when you’re shopping.

“Ideally, string cheese should only contain milk, cultures, enzymes and salt. Fewer ingredients usually mean a less processed product,” she explains.

And when it comes to pairing, she recommends building it into a more balanced moment: “String cheese offers protein, calcium and fat in a convenient portion. When paired with fruit or veggies, it becomes a more complete and nourishing snack.”

Related: 7 Best Grocery Store Cheddars, Ranked

How I Tested These String Cheeses

To find the best of the best, I picked up ten popular brands of mozzarella string cheese, including staple supermarket brands and organic options. I tasted each one straight from the fridge, judging each one on flavor, texture, stringiness (AKA peel-ability) and overall snackability. My kids also weighed in, because if anyone is a string cheese expert, it’s my 5-year-old, James, who knows exactly how he likes his snacks and my 2.5-year-old, Willamina, who isn’t afraid to tell you what’s on her mind.

Related: I Tried 10 Store-Bought Tomato Soups To Find Out Which One Is Worthy of Your Grilled Cheese

10 String Cheese Brands, Ranked Worst to Best

10. Stop & Shop Mozzarella String Cheese

This supermarket brand was almost flavorless, with a dense, clunky texture. Instead of those fun thin strings, it pulled apart in thick chunks, which my kids immediately rejected. James wrinkled his nose and said, “This one tastes like nothing.” Only five and already a cheese connoisseur.

9. Sargento String Cheese

Sargento missed the mark for us. It was too dry and hard, with flavor that just didn’t stack up. While the salt content was decent, the overall consensus was that it wasn’t fun to eat. James summed it up simply: “This one’s too tough.”

8. 365 by Whole Foods String Cheese

The Whole Foods’ version was firm and less stringy than the others. It had a good salt level and a clean mozzarella flavor, but my daughter complained it was “hard to peel.” 

Related: I Went to Whole Foods With My Chef-Husband and My Grocery Shopping is Forever Changed

7. Trader Joe’s String Cheese

We like the classic mozzarella flavor of the Trader Joe’s cheese, but the texture was harder and drier than the others, which made it less snackable. Willamina tossed her piece aside and said, “Cheese is broken.”

Related: The 15 Best Trader Joe’s Dips, Ranked by a Former Employee

6. Polly-O String Cheese

This nostalgic brand delivered mild flavor and solid stringiness. While it was reliable, it lacked the salt and tang that the top contenders had. James was a fan of how easy it was to eat adding, “It peels nicely!”

5. Aldi Happy Farms String Mozzarella Cheese

Aldi landed in the middle of the pack with this simple, classic cheese with good flavor and stringiness. It’s nothing fancy, but there’s nothing wrong with it either. Willamina gave it her highest toddler compliment: “More, please.”

Related: People Love Aldi Chocolate Bars—We Ranked Our Top 10

4. Frigo Cheese Heads Whole Milk String Cheese

This fan-favorite brand has a well-balanced flavor with just the right amount of salt. The peel was smooth and satisfying, and the playful packaging was a hit. I can see why this one has a loyal following…I may just be a Cheese Head now!

3. Organic Valley Stringles Organic String Cheese

The Organic Valley version was creamy and flavorful with a soft, chewy texture and perfect peel. It felt like a higher-quality take on the classic, and if buying organic is important to you, you might want to add this one to your cart. James said, “This one tastes great!”

2. Lucerne Dairy Farms String Cheese

This cheese was soft and delicious with great flavor and chew. It was also one of the most kid-approved cheeses of the group. Even after trying so many, Willamina kept asking for more of this “chewy cheese.” The girl knows what she likes!

1. Galbani String Cheese

For us, this was the gold standard. With its authentic mozzarella flavor, creamy texture and perfect stringiness, Galbani nailed everything you want in a string cheese. James didn’t hesitate: “This is the winner.” With the perfect balance of all the things you like in a cheese stick, we all agreed this was the best of the bunch.

It is worth noting that it was difficult to rank the top four contenders…like picking my favorite child! Luckily, I had them around to help me, because when a 5-year-old and a sassy toddler both agree on the winner, you know you’ve made the right call.

Up Next:

Related: I Tried the Viral British Cheese Sandwich and Found My New Favorite Weekday Lunch

Source:

• Miranda Hammer, MS, RD, CDN, dietitian, natural foods chef and founder of The Crunchy Radish