The pros: Trader Joe's Authentic Greek Feta in Brine comes to you directly from Greece. This is a tasty feta cheese.
The cons: Nothing stands out.
The verdict:
One of the things I miss most about living in Queens, NY is all the ethnic markets. There was nothing like going to a market and getting the "real thing." What I mean by this is that you knew this is how food was supposed to taste back in the the food originated in. In fact, some of the packages of feta cheese I picked up had minimal English on it, the rest was Greek to me.
Since moving a bit further north and over a bridge, I'm away from all of these neighborhood delights. So, in the meanwhile I've made do with various crumbled fetas in the grocery store. They're good, but they're not diner or Greek Restaurant good.
This feta however, is what I've been missing. The packaging is a bright blue, almost the color of what you would expect Santorini to look like. In this bright blue package are two large rectangles of cheese that sit in a pool of salty brine. I did not realize that there were two when I first opened the package. This cheese is more dense than the crumbled variety, but tastes so much better. The brine helps keep the product fresh while adding a touch of salt as well.
Paired with some salad, Dolmas, and some good dressing and you have a completely enjoyable Greek salad. These can be cubed and enjoyed with a bit of olive oil too. I'm sure there are other uses for feta cheese, but those tend to be the two most common uses in my household.
For $6.49 this is not cheap. I'm pretty sure I paid far less for a huge container of crumbled feta at Costco, but I enjoyed this so much more. It's not something I would buy weekly, but was a really good treat. If you enjoy feta, then this is a good bet.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The package of Trader Joe's Authentic Greek Feta in Brine:
The nutritional information, ingredients and where this is produced:
Out of the package you get two rectangles in brine:
After being prepared as a homemade Greek salad with Dolmas and feta:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Authentic Greek Feta in Brine again.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Dag says
Oh my gosh thanks for doing the review on this feta. Relatively inexpensive grocery store feta is just so bland. Pre-crumbled feta in plastic containers is even worse. I have two gourmet grocery stores near me where I can get more authentic feta but it's expensive. Certainly more expensive than this Trader Joe's product. I didn't get to Trader Joe's today but will certainly go this weekend. I like taking some all-natural pizza dough or biscuit dough and making spinach feta pockets-chopped spinach, grated garlic, minced onion & feta. Great dipped into some Trader Joe's Tzatziki.
Robert helgesen says
I spent 4 years in Greece in the Air Force and fell in love with their food. This feta is the best ive had in the USA for the price. It is my go to feta!
becomebetty says
Hey Robert! Thanks so much your service. It's so good to hear from people who can comment on an items authenticity. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to stop by and share!
Joan says
I love this feta too.... my problem is I find it almost impossible to open the container! Is there some secret that I am missing?
becomebetty says
Hey Joan! I remember initially I had the same issue as well. I think from memory there was a bit of a plastic tab below the cover that when broken, made it easy to open. I haven't bought this in a while so I'm struggling a bit to remember.
Joan says
Yes, that is exactly it! I have discovered the corner piece that snaps off....but then after that, what next to remove the lid?? I remember it took a lot of (some kind of) effort the first time I bought it, and this is just the second time I have bought it …… not being able to get to that authentic Greek feta is really frustrating! Does anyone else have more info re how to remove that top lid? or do I need to remove the entire hard plastic around the top??
becomebetty says
Hey Joan! I think if you break off that little corner piece that will keep the lid secure, but you'll have to use that corner to open it each time. And yes, this item was frustrating to open as was the Strawberry Secco. Nothing worse than when you need wine and you can't get to it! Let me know how my suggestion works.
Florence says
This feta was just recommended to me by a Greek friend won I trust 100% so I rushed straight to our local Trader Joe’s (not close enough to me to go often unfortunately) to get some. I was so disappointed to find they did not have it and will be in search of it until I do!
Kitty says
I bought it and tried all I might, just cannot open the box (!), the plastic ring fall to many tiny pieces while the box still fully inoperable… any trick to get it open?
becomebetty says
Look in the corners. There should be a gap to lift up the cover.
John says
Probably the best feta you can get without going to a Greek Shop. Unfortunately the price here in NJ Has gone up to $8 . It's not even 1 pound mind you!
becomebetty says
Hi John! I know, I have some serious updating to do with prices on this blog. Prices were flat for so long and now a lot of items have jumped. Thanks for letting me know!
michael brewer says
Bring pliers to lever this open!
becomebetty says
Oh I agree! Thanks for sharing!