Trader Joe's 1000 Day Gouda Cheese

Trader Joe’s 1000 Day Gouda Cheese practically screams “build a charcuterie board around me,” and that’s exactly what we did. At $13 per pound, our wedge came out to $6.24. Not cheap, but still very reasonable for a cheese aged nearly three years and imported from the Netherlands. Right away, this gouda delivers on its promise: it’s unmistakably caramel-sweet with a deep, nutty richness that makes it feel more like a special occasion cheese than an everyday slice. The texture is firm, waxy, and crumbly, with neat crunchy granules scattered throughout. Just a heads-up: don’t eat the rind. It’s tough and not meant to be part of the experience.

We featured this on a simple charcuterie board in our video review, and it paired beautifully with several items. Walnuts were a standout, adding earthy crunch that complemented the caramel sweetness perfectly. Turkey salami also worked really well, bringing a savory contrast without overpowering the cheese. My favorite pairing, though, was Trader Joe’s Original Savory Thin Crackers made with rice. The light, crisp texture let the gouda shine and made each bite super balanced.

Sonia enjoyed pairing it with fruit like raspberries and dates, which leaned even further into the sweet side. That combo didn’t quite do it for me, but taste is subjective. Green olives were interesting. I didn’t love them in the same bite as the gouda, but alternating between the salty olives and the sweet cheese actually worked really well.

Overall, this is a flavorful, unique aged gouda that’s perfect for entertaining or elevating a snack spread. Sonia gives Trader Joe’s 1000 Day Gouda eight out of ten stars. I guess I'll go with seven and a half. If you enjoy sweet, nutty, crystal-laden cheeses, this one is worth trying, especially as the star of a simple charcuterie board.

Bottom line: 7.75 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Crew Member Cologne Collection

If you're anything like me, you find the olfactory landscape of a Trader Joe's to be comforting, soothing...transcendent even. And today's your lucky day. Forget all that fancy stuff with vanilla notes and jasmine. TJ’s has launched its debut fragrance line: the Crew Member Collection.

This isn't just perfume. It's a sensory activation. There are three signature scents, and yes, they come packaged in miniature, wax-coated cardboard boxes. Each one retails for only $9.99 and comes with a certificate of authenticity printed with its unique batch number.

Here’s my honest review:

1. Frozen Aisle & Cedar (the blue box) This one smells like existential dread and fresh produce. It opens with an aggressive burst of crisp, cold ozone—like when you reach into the display freezer to grab some hashbrowns—and mellows into a surprisingly grounded scent of damp cardboard. It smells exactly like the back stockroom on delivery day. Bottom line: 9 out of 10. (If you like smelling like crisp efficiency).

2. Aisle 4 Eucalyptus & Spice (the green box) This scent is a rollercoaster. The top note is undeniable: a chaotic blend of Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, chai, and cedarwood. It’s warm, garlic-heavy, and slightly abrasive. It dries down to a faint hint of eucalyptus that I’m convinced Sonia sprayed by the registers to keep the line calm. Bottom line: 7 out of 10. (You will smell savory).

3. Eau de Hibiscus Tote (the pink box) This is the breakout star. It smells like sweet, tart hibiscus but with a complex "aged cotton" finish. They captured the exact scent of a canvas tote bag that has been sitting in a hot trunk for two weeks. It's nostalgic, slightly fruity, and very aggressively branded. Bottom line: 10 out of 10. (Sonia stole my bottle immediately).

All three fragrances are unisex and cruelty free. The ingredients lists are...fascinating. Sonia would definitely pick up the hibiscus flavor or the frozen aisle one for a repeat buy. We're still on the fence about Aisle 4. Apparently, they used actual spiced chai oil, and I do have to warn you: these colognes do not wash off. You are a crew member now. Forever. Happy shopping!