We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
$10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!

Lou

Lou Decruss wrote:
> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!


I've come to the conclusion you have. First I check the ingredients to
make sure I'm not buying some low-fat attrocity. If the ingredients are
the same, I buy the least expensive brand. That's often the store
brand. I can't tell the difference.


--Lia

On Dec 22, 9:15�am, Lou Decruss > wrote:
> We use a lot of cream cheese here. �Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. �Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) �Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. �But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. �The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. �We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. �One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. �Are my
> taste buds fooling me? �Can you tell the difference? �What kind do you
> buy? �Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
> Lou

Maybe it is my active imagination, but sometimes it seems as if it is
NOT Philly cheese, it is not so creamy. Yes , I know there is probably
no logical reason for this, so maybe it is just that I am a victem of
advertising. I usually buy the Philly. Go figure.

Rosie

"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
...
> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
> Lou


I buy Philadelphia cream cheese, because it's always there when I want some,
and I've read that it is actually better, but I don't know that. Most of
the time it tastes metallic. I use it seldom and add honey to it when I do,
so it really doesn't make a lot of difference.

The last time I bought it I bought the spreadable that comes in the tub.

I have a big 2 pounder, I think, at bay, for some rugelach (I think). I
always buy it from Costco and don't check prices.
Dee Dee

"Lou Decruss" > wrote

> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!

I'm fussy. Other brands don't seem to have the tang, for lack
of a better word, that I prefer in the Philly. It's not so expensive
that I'd bother shopping around. What I won't stand for is the stuff
in the tub. Must be the brick.

nancy

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 07:26:28 -0800 (PST), rosie >
wrote:

>On Dec 22, 9:15?am, Lou Decruss > wrote:
>> We use a lot of cream cheese here. ?Philadelphia brand is often on
>> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. ?Last
>> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) ?Last night it was free with a
>> $10 purchase. ?But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
>> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. ?The ingredient lists and
>> nutritional facts are almost identical. ?We can't tell the difference
>> so we buy whatever is cheapest. ?One of our friends claims there is a
>> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. ?Are my
>> taste buds fooling me? ?Can you tell the difference? ?What kind do you
>> buy? ?Curious minds need to know these things!!
>>
>> Lou
>
>Maybe it is my active imagination, but sometimes it seems as if it is
>NOT Philly cheese, it is not so creamy. Yes , I know there is probably
>no logical reason for this, so maybe it is just that I am a victem of
>advertising. I usually buy the Philly. Go figure.

The packages I have here are Philly and a brand called Dutch Farms
from Wisconsin. Funny thing is the DF brand has cream listed in the
ingredients. Philly doesn't. Just milk and cheese culture. Our
friend, like you says Philly is creamer also. Maybe I'm getting
better brands here. I dunno.

Lou

"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
...
> But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest.


Same here. We always have some on hand, It is what is on sale or from BJ's
in bulk. If you watch the cycles, Stop & Shop has it on sale for 99¢ every
few weeks so I grab a couple of packages then.

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:18:32 -0500, Julia Altshuler
> wrote:

>Lou Decruss wrote:
>> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
>> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
>> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
>> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
>> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
>> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
>> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
>> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
>> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
>> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
>
>I've come to the conclusion you have. First I check the ingredients to
>make sure I'm not buying some low-fat attrocity. If the ingredients are
>the same, I buy the least expensive brand. That's often the store
>brand. I can't tell the difference.

Thanks Julia. It's hard to spend $2.39 when the other one is $.68.

Lou

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:30:51 -0500, "Dee.Dee" >
wrote:

>
>"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
.. .
>> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
>> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
>> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
>> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
>> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
>> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
>> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
>> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
>> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
>> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>>
>> Lou
>
>
>I buy Philadelphia cream cheese, because it's always there when I want some,
>and I've read that it is actually better, but I don't know that. Most of
>the time it tastes metallic. I use it seldom and add honey to it when I do,
>so it really doesn't make a lot of difference.
>
>The last time I bought it I bought the spreadable that comes in the tub.
>
>I have a big 2 pounder, I think, at bay, for some rugelach (I think). I
>always buy it from Costco and don't check prices.

The big one from Costco isn't Philly. But it tastes fine to me.

Lou

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:03:13 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" >
wrote:

>
>"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
.. .
>> But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
>> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
>> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
>> so we buy whatever is cheapest.
>
>
>Same here. We always have some on hand, It is what is on sale or from BJ's
>in bulk. If you watch the cycles, Stop & Shop has it on sale for 99¢ every
>few weeks so I grab a couple of packages then.

I used to buy in bulk, but the newer brands are just as cheap and the
individual cartons are more convenient to use. For me at least.
Thanks for the reply.

Lou

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:38:35 -0600, Sqwertz >
wrote:

>On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 15:15:37 GMT, Lou Decruss wrote:
>
>> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
>> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
>> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
>> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
>> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
>> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
>> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
>> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
>> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
>> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
>I buy the store brand, $.88/.5lb block. Tastes the same to me.
>Sometimes I'll buy the neufchatel, same price, 2/3rds the fat,
>and tastes just fine.

This would have been a good survey. Seems some can tell a difference.
some can't. For 3 times the price I sure can't. <g>

Lou

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:41:14 -0500, "Nancy Young" >
wrote:

>
>"Lou Decruss" > wrote
>
>> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
>> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
>> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
>> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
>> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
>> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
>> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
>> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
>> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
>> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
>I'm fussy. Other brands don't seem to have the tang, for lack
>of a better word, that I prefer in the Philly. It's not so expensive
>that I'd bother shopping around. What I won't stand for is the stuff
>in the tub. Must be the brick.

Someone brought some cranberry cream cheese in a tub to a party once.
YUK!! Just say no to tubs. lol Thanks for the response.

lou

On Dec 22, 10:15 am, Lou Decruss > wrote:
> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
> Lou

My DH agrees with you, that there is no difference. The kidlet, OTOH,
will not eat certain brands, saying they don't taste right. Philly's
on sale here often enough that I can stock up at 99 cents and be done
with it.

maxine in ri

"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:30:51 -0500, "Dee.Dee" >
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
>>> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
>>> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
>>> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
>>> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
>>> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
>>> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
>>> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
>>> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
>>> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>>>
>>> Lou
>>
>>
>>I buy Philadelphia cream cheese, because it's always there when I want
>>some,
>>and I've read that it is actually better, but I don't know that. Most of
>>the time it tastes metallic. I use it seldom and add honey to it when I
>>do,
>>so it really doesn't make a lot of difference.
>>
>>The last time I bought it I bought the spreadable that comes in the tub.
>>
>>I have a big 2 pounder, I think, at bay, for some rugelach (I think). I
>>always buy it from Costco and don't check prices.
>
> The big one from Costco isn't Philly. But it tastes fine to me.
>
> Lou


Mine in both sizes I mentioned above are Philadelphia cream cheese. I just
looked.
Dee Dee

Lou Decruss wrote:
One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!


Why not do a blind taste test and see if your friend can tell the
difference? I buy name brand usually as that is what the commissary
sells though I bought the Philadelphia brand reduced fat cream cheese
yesterday to make Formaggio al Borsini with because even reduced fat
cream cheese will taste great for that.
I wonder if your friend would notice the difference between a name brand
and no-name brand in something like that?

* Exported from MasterCook *

Formaggio al Borsini

Recipe By :Antonio Gatto Lodge Cookbook, OSOIA, Laurel, Maryland
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1/4 pound softened butter
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon dill
1/4 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Mix together and chill.
Allow to reach room temp to serve, with crusty Italian bread or crackers.

"Lou Decruss" > wrote

> On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:41:14 -0500, "Nancy Young" >
> wrote:

>>"Lou Decruss" > wrote

>>> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
>>> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
>>> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
>>> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
>>> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>>
>>I'm fussy. Other brands don't seem to have the tang, for lack
>>of a better word, that I prefer in the Philly. It's not so expensive
>>that I'd bother shopping around. What I won't stand for is the stuff
>>in the tub. Must be the brick.
>
> Someone brought some cranberry cream cheese in a tub to a party once.
> YUK!! Just say no to tubs. lol Thanks for the response.

Heh. I really don't want flavorings in my cream cheese, I'll put
my own in there if I want it. As far as the price, I don't have cream
cheese all that often, maybe 4 bricks a year, so I just grab one now
and then for a dollar. It's not worth worrying about in my case.
I don't think I'd pay the 2 something you mentioned, though.

So, here's the thing. Your post is timely for me. I bought 2
packages at Thanksgiving and didn't wind up using them. I
wanted to make cream cheese pies, the kind with sour cream
topping. Anyone have a favorite recipe for something like that?
A graham cracker crust type of thing?

nancy

Lou Decruss wrote:

> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my

She's putting on airs.

> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you

No, they're not. No, I can't.

> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!

Whatever is cheapest.

--
Blinky
Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project - http://improve-usenet.org

In article >,
Lou Decruss > wrote:

> Are my
> taste buds fooling me?


I don't know.

>Can you tell the difference?

Nope.

What kind do you
> buy?

Cheapest available. Sam's has a 3# box but I don't know the price right
now.

> Curious minds need to know these things!!

> Lou

Yes they do want to know!!

This was an integral part of my Christmas gift baskets this year (as
usual)

Herb Cheese Spread

Recipe By: Barb Schaller, posted to r.f.cooking 12-22-2007; based on a
post to r.f.r. in 1998 by M. Lowe.

2 cloves garlic minced
16 ounces reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 cup butter (not margarine) softened
1 teaspoon oregano dried
1/4 teaspoon basil dried
1 teaspoon dillweed dried
1/4 teaspoon marjoram dried
1/4 teaspoon thyme dried
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

(Or use a couple teaspoons of Penzeys Bouquet Garni blend for the
individual herb components.)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together. Use a mixer, not a food processor.

Serve with crackers or toss with hot pasta for a quick dish.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
Turtle Bites pictured on
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com; 10-16-2007

Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> In article >,
> Lou Decruss > wrote:
>
> > Are my
> > taste buds fooling me?
>
>
> I don't know.
>
> >Can you tell the difference?
>
> Nope.
>
> What kind do you
> > buy?
>
> Cheapest available. Sam's has a 3# box but I don't know the price right
> now.
>
> > Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
> > Lou
>
> Yes they do want to know!!
>
> This was an integral part of my Christmas gift baskets this year (as
> usual)
>
> Herb Cheese Spread
>
> Recipe By: Barb Schaller, posted to r.f.cooking 12-22-2007; based on a
> post to r.f.r. in 1998 by M. Lowe.
>
> 2 cloves garlic minced
> 16 ounces reduced fat cream cheese
> 1/2 cup butter (not margarine) softened
> 1 teaspoon oregano dried
> 1/4 teaspoon basil dried
> 1 teaspoon dillweed dried
> 1/4 teaspoon marjoram dried
> 1/4 teaspoon thyme dried
> 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
>
> (Or use a couple teaspoons of Penzeys Bouquet Garni blend for the
> individual herb components.)
>
> Directions:
>
> Mix all ingredients together. Use a mixer, not a food processor.
>
> Serve with crackers or toss with hot pasta for a quick dish.
>


Thanx, luv, I will be serving this on Christmas day, I just bought a bunch
of cream cheese for spreads 'n dips 'n stuff...

--
Best
Greg

Lou Decruss wrote:
> We use a lot of cream cheese here. �Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. �Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) �Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. �But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. �The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. �We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. �One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. �Are my
> taste buds fooling me? �Can you tell the difference? �What kind do you
> buy? �Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
> Lou

The Kraft Philadelphia brand tastes better to me... but still I often
buy the store brand when it's on sale, but I find it's wetter and not
as fresh tasting. The thing I question is that I've never seen such a
huge price disparity as you claim. The normal price for store brand
is about a buck, the normal Philly price is like 30 cents more. Today
the Philly brand is on sale; $1 each if you buy ten... I don't need
ten of something so perishable so to me it's not a very good sale....
my local market runs a lot of $1ea 10-4 sales, but rarely will I buy
10 of what they put on sale.

"Sheldon" > wrote

>is about a buck, the normal Philly price is like 30 cents more. Today
>the Philly brand is on sale; $1 each if you buy ten... I don't need
>ten of something so perishable so to me it's not a very good sale....
>my local market runs a lot of $1ea 10-4 sales, but rarely will I buy
>10 of what they put on sale.

Check to be sure, usually the 10 for $10 sales don't mean
you have to buy 10, just a marketing thing meaning $1 each.

nancy

Sheldon wrote:
Today
> the Philly brand is on sale; $1 each if you buy ten... I don't need
> ten of something so perishable so to me it's not a very good sale....
> my local market runs a lot of $1ea 10-4 sales, but rarely will I buy
> 10 of what they put on sale.
>

At my market even though something may be marked 10/$10 one can still
buy fewer and get the $1/each price. I think they just use the 10/$10 as
an advertising gimmick to encourage you to buy more.

Oh pshaw, on Sat 22 Dec 2007 08:15:37a, Lou Decruss meant to say...

> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
> Lou

I quit buying Kraft Philadelphia Brand cream cheese when I realized that
Safeway's Lucerne brand and the Kroger brand were just as good, both in
flavor and texture. The did try Walmart's brand one time, but found it a
really disgusting product. I will never try it again.

--
Wayne Boatwright

Date: Thursday, December 20th,2007

*******************************************
Countdown 'til Christmas
2dys 7hrs 49mins 56secs
*******************************************
A fool and his money rarely get
together to start with.
*******************************************

I suppose if I COULD tell the difference between Philadelphia brand
cream cheese and the store brand, then I'd ask myself which I liked
better and consider if the difference in quality was worth the
difference in price. At this point in my life, I usually think paying
more for the better product is worth it.


--Lia

On Dec 22, 1:06�pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> "Sheldon" > wrote
>
> >is about a buck, the normal Philly price is like 30 cents more. �Today
> >the Philly brand is on sale; $1 each if you buy ten... I don't need
> >ten of something so perishable so to me it's not a very good sale....
> >my local market runs a lot of $1ea 10-4 sales, but rarely will I buy
> >10 of what they put on sale.
>
> Check to be sure, usually the 10 for $10 sales don't mean
> you have to buy 10, just a marketing thing meaning $1 each.

The few times I tried to buy just one the register charged me the full
regular price... but this is a small Grand Union where I really don't
like to shop but I do use it for fill ins because it's close. I've
already had arguments with the manager, once over them selling stale
bread (they actually magic marker over the sell-by date), and I got so
fed up with their warm meat display fridge that one day I brought my
fridge thermometer and left it in there while I did some other
shopping. When I returned it registered only 42 degF. I called the
store manager over and tried to explain, all he did was rant. I don't
buy any perishables there, not anymore.

Lou Decruss wrote:
>
> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!


When I get down to the far end of a nearby city I go to the German deli and
buy it from the counter in bulk. That stuff is great. When it comes to the
stuff in grocery stores I prefer Philadelphia to Lacatania, which I find to
be too sweet, but I can't tell the difference between Philadelphia and the
No Name stuff. The biggest difference is between the regular and low fat.

Sqwertz wrote:

> I buy the store brand, $.88/.5lb block. Tastes the same to me.
> Sometimes I'll buy the neufchatel, same price, 2/3rds the fat,
> and tastes just fine.

Same here, but only HEB's store brand. I once tried WalMart's brand and
it tasted strange.


--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 07:26:28 -0800 (PST), rosie >
wrote:

>On Dec 22, 9:15?am, Lou Decruss > wrote:
>> We use a lot of cream cheese here. ?Philadelphia brand is often on
>> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. ?Last
>> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) ?Last night it was free with a
>> $10 purchase. ?But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
>> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. ?The ingredient lists and
>> nutritional facts are almost identical. ?We can't tell the difference
>> so we buy whatever is cheapest. ?One of our friends claims there is a
>> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. ?Are my
>> taste buds fooling me? ?Can you tell the difference? ?What kind do you
>> buy? ?Curious minds need to know these things!!
>>
>> Lou
>
>Maybe it is my active imagination, but sometimes it seems as if it is
>NOT Philly cheese, it is not so creamy. Yes , I know there is probably
>no logical reason for this, so maybe it is just that I am a victem of
>advertising. I usually buy the Philly. Go figure.
>
>Rosie

it's not something i often buy, but i've found the store brands have
an inferior texture also - gummier. but i don't cook with the stuff
(i find some of the recipes pretty gruesome-sounding) so maybe it
makes no difference in those.

your pal,
blake

Julia Altshuler wrote:

>
> I've come to the conclusion you have. First I check the ingredients to
> make sure I'm not buying some low-fat attrocity. If the ingredients are
> the same, I buy the least expensive brand. That's often the store
> brand. I can't tell the difference.

I agree almost totally. I look at the price and get the cheapest, unless it
Lactania, and it has to be the real stuff not the low fat. Low fat cream
cheese is not very good.

jay wrote:

>
> On the subject of cheese..yesterday I got a gift of Maytag blue, white
> cheddar and edam. It looks like great stuff but haven't tried it yet.
>
> http://www.maytagdairyfarms.com/aspx/welcome.aspx
>
> Maytag made a washing machine and then some blue cheese. Very talented
> group!

Both are brands of the Amana Amish Colony in Iowa. I think they sold the
washing machine business, but they still make the best bleu cheese in
the US, IMHO.

--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life

Dave Smith wrote:
> Julia Altshuler wrote:
>
>> I've come to the conclusion you have. First I check the ingredients to
>> make sure I'm not buying some low-fat attrocity. If the ingredients are
>> the same, I buy the least expensive brand. That's often the store
>> brand. I can't tell the difference.
>
> I agree almost totally. I look at the price and get the cheapest, unless it
> Lactania, and it has to be the real stuff not the low fat. Low fat cream
> cheese is not very good.

I disagree. I find in some uses lower fat products serve their purpose
just as well as the full fat version and I save a few calories to boot!

"Dee.Dee" wrote:
>
>
> I buy Philadelphia cream cheese, because it's always there when I want some,
> and I've read that it is actually better, but I don't know that. Most of
> the time it tastes metallic. I use it seldom and add honey to it when I do,
> so it really doesn't make a lot of difference.

One thing to consider about store brands is that the stores don't make the
stuff. They get it from the major suppliers who just take a run of the
product and package it with the store brand label. There is a good chance
that the store brand cream cheese and the Philadelphia cream cheese were
made in the same place with the same recipe and process. That being said, I
have a hard time accepting that the Kraft version of anything would be the
superior product.

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:38:25 GMT, blake murphy >
wrote:

>it's not something i often buy, but i've found the store brands have
>an inferior texture also - gummier. but i don't cook with the stuff
>(i find some of the recipes pretty gruesome-sounding) so maybe it
>makes no difference in those.
>
>your pal,
>blake

I agree with Blake. All of the store brands I've tried have had much
the same texture (slightly gummy) and flavor. It's fine in cheesecake
but it's not my first choice on bagels and crackers. Kraft Philly has
a distinctly more pleasant flavor and better texture---I have
blind-tested and can tell the difference---and as long as it's not too
much more expensive than the store brand, I buy Philly.

Right now our Kroger has Philly for $1 and Kroger brand for 88 cents.

Best -- Terry

"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
...
> We use a lot of cream cheese here. Philadelphia brand is often on
> sale, but the average retail is about $2.39 at the big markets. Last
> week it was on sale for $.68 (limit 2) Last night it was free with a
> $10 purchase. But the times it's not on sale other brands are on sale
> for between $.79 and $.99 all the time. The ingredient lists and
> nutritional facts are almost identical. We can't tell the difference
> so we buy whatever is cheapest. One of our friends claims there is a
> big difference in the taste and she only buys Philadelphia. Are my
> taste buds fooling me? Can you tell the difference? What kind do you
> buy? Curious minds need to know these things!!
>
> Lou


There is no way to answer your question definitively, since the cheaper
brand where I shop may not be the same as the cheaper brand where you shop.
It certainly generated lots of response, though, which I suppose was the
point.

"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
...

> This would have been a good survey.


Why? The same 8 or 10 participants would've responded to the survey, which
provides numbers, but no explanations. Then, the same participants would've
ALSO posted messages. Surveys are redundant and stupid for this newsgroup.

Sheldon wrote:

>
> The few times I tried to buy just one the register charged me the full
> regular price... but this is a small Grand Union

I thought Grand Union had gone out of business.
--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> "Dee.Dee" wrote:
>>
>>
>> I buy Philadelphia cream cheese, because it's always there when I want
>> some,
>> and I've read that it is actually better, but I don't know that. Most of
>> the time it tastes metallic. I use it seldom and add honey to it when I
>> do,
>> so it really doesn't make a lot of difference.
>
> One thing to consider about store brands is that the stores don't make the
> stuff. They get it from the major suppliers who just take a run of the
> product and package it with the store brand label. There is a good chance
> that the store brand cream cheese and the Philadelphia cream cheese were
> made in the same place with the same recipe and process. That being said,
> I
> have a hard time accepting that the Kraft version of anything would be the
> superior product.


Damn! But I do agree TOTALLY with you about Kraft.
It's a hard item to buy when I see that name there. But until I know what
to buy instead (for certain) -- that's it!
Dee Dee

"Dee.Dee" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Dave Smith" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Dee.Dee" wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> I buy Philadelphia cream cheese, because it's always there when I want
>>> some,
>>> and I've read that it is actually better, but I don't know that. Most
>>> of
>>> the time it tastes metallic. I use it seldom and add honey to it when I
>>> do,
>>> so it really doesn't make a lot of difference.
>>
>> One thing to consider about store brands is that the stores don't make
>> the
>> stuff. They get it from the major suppliers who just take a run of the
>> product and package it with the store brand label. There is a good
>> chance
>> that the store brand cream cheese and the Philadelphia cream cheese were
>> made in the same place with the same recipe and process. That being said,
>> I
>> have a hard time accepting that the Kraft version of anything would be
>> the
>> superior product.
>
>
> Damn! But I do agree TOTALLY with you about Kraft.
> It's a hard item to buy when I see that name there. But until I know what
> to buy instead (for certain) -- that's it!
> Dee Dee
>


How will you know what to buy unless you try buying it? Don't you trust your
own judgement?

"Janet Wilder" > wrote in message
...
> Sheldon wrote:
>
>>
>> The few times I tried to buy just one the register charged me the full
>> regular price... but this is a small Grand Union
>
> I thought Grand Union had gone out of business.
> --
> Janet Wilder
> Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
> Good Friends. Good Life


Sheldon's store is probably called "Grand Union Family Markets". The slight
name change occurred for a few stores in smaller towns, after the stores
were taken over by a company called C&S Wholesale, which is aiming to rule
the universe.

"Sheldon" > wrote

>On Dec 22, 1:06?pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:

>> Check to be sure, usually the 10 for $10 sales don't mean
>> you have to buy 10, just a marketing thing meaning $1 each.

>The few times I tried to buy just one the register charged me the full
>regular price... but this is a small Grand Union where I really don't
>like to shop but I do use it for fill ins because it's close. I've
>already had arguments with the manager, once over them selling stale
>bread (they actually magic marker over the sell-by date), and I got so
>fed up with their warm meat display fridge that one day I brought my
>fridge thermometer and left it in there while I did some other
>shopping. When I returned it registered only 42 degF. I called the
>store manager over and tried to explain, all he did was rant. I don't
>buy any perishables there, not anymore.

Sounds very much like the store where I shop that I used to
bitch about all the time. Thank goodness Albertsons bought out
the chain. And about the 10 for thing, you could never tell when
they'd give you the item for a dollar or they'd charge you full
price. The meat and the produce, don't even get me started.
The deplorable state of their meat department is why I first joined
Costco, years ago.

nancy