Money-saving mum's cheese hack causes a social media stir: 'It saves a couple of dollars each time'

In the midst of rising living costs, one savvy mum has shared a money-saving hack that has ignited online debate – stretching her cheese further by buying a block and grating it herself, instead of opting for pre-shredded cheese.

"I grate it myself and put straight into the freezer in ziplock bags," she explained, "We use as we need from the freezer."

The idea quickly gained traction, with many chiming in to share their own experiences. "I do the same thing," some agreed, while others questioned whether grating your own cheese really provides more value.

"I find that you get more and it's also not coated with anti-caking agents, so it tastes better and is better for you," one person argued. "Definitely get more," another added.

Grated vs block cheese

According to some commenters, the difference lies in the additives found in pre-shredded cheese. "Grated cheese is full of filler to stop it sticking together, so you'll always get more if it's grated by you," one person explained.

Beyond the potential savings, many highlighted the benefits of the DIY approach. "It saves a couple of dollars each time and with the amount we use in the house, those couple of dollars build up fast," one person pointed out.

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Some even conducted their own cost-benefit analysis. "I actually looked at this the other day and had to weigh up my time to grate vs cost per kg to buy grated, and how much quantity you get per pack/block for the price," one commenter shared. "That day grated won, but usually I buy the block."

Another person summarised, "It's more, but not by much."

However, not everyone was convinced. "A kilo is a kilo," one sceptic remarked, while another noted, "Pre-shredded is 700g, the block is 1kg so technically, yes you get more."

The myth of more

Indeed, the reality is, that you only get more cheese by grating your own because the block you purchase is bigger in the first place, and even this is debatable, as explained by Food Safety Expert, Edward McCartney.

Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, McCartney explained, "The proposition that grating, say, a 500g block of cheese will result in more cheese than a purchased 500g block of pre-grated cheese is quite unsubstantiated. On the contrary, grating your own cheese will likely result in a slight loss of weight due to cheese becoming trapped in the grater."

McCartney did confirm, however, that it's absolutely safe to freeze cheese, and doing so will likely result in a longer shelf life compared to leaving it grated in the fridge.

What's really in your shredded cheese?

Aussies have weighed in on this debate before, when Health and Wellness Blogger Danni Duncan revealed the difference between shredded and block cheese, flabbergasting shoppers.

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"I know some people say 'Oh I'm just going to get the grated one because it's easier and it's exactly the same'. Incorrect," she told her followers at the time.

In fact, Danni and social media commenters are on the money; packet cheese includes all of the same ingredients with the addition of an anti-caking agent (460) and preservative 200, which is sorbic acid.

The two preservatives are added due to strict regulations enforced by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and it's to discourage mould growth and to prevent the shredded cheese from sticking together.

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