Philadelphia cream cheese

This is a classic ingredient. I'm not very into cream cheese with non-desserts, but it's OK. Just kind of boring on its own. But of course it is merely a blank slate for you to add flavor to, and Kraft has decently good allergy policy, so despite their pecan cream cheese (with real pecans!) I feel safe with this. It also supposedly has low tyramine even though it is a "cheese" (of sorts). I have been using this as a condiment replacer in wraps/sandwiches, because it is wet. Texturally it is good, taste wise it is extremely neutral. I still think bagels with a lot of plain cream cheese are gross though (don't disown me, blog fans)!

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10

Lucerne Jalapeño Cream Cheese Spread

I wonder why there aren't more kids named Lucerne. I could see someone thinking "that's a nice name" without remembering it's a store brand of dairy products. Not me though. 

This stuff is good. (Or maybe I'm just happy to have cream cheese again?) The allergy info for Philly's cream cheese didn't pan out to be very reassuring, so I'm convinced the lack of info for the store brand is somehow safer. Woo! This flavor has a little kick to it, which I like.

Overall
Cost: 6/10
Taste: 7/10

Lucerne Garden Vegetables Cream Cheese Spread

Ah, I went to buy my usual Philly cream cheese and I saw they have a pecan flavor, which freaked me out about cross-contam, so I got this store brand instead since they didn't have a visible nut flavor. I should really send Philly an email! Anyway, this served its purpose and didn't kill me, so mission accomplished. It was a bit different in color (lighter) and chunkiness (more?!) but the taste was quite close and I had no issues with it. I just have a general anti-store-brand policy due to nut fear.

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10

Philadelphia Cream Cheese - Strawberry

This is the good stuff! I really love it -- it's sweet, creamy, filling and delicious. There's real strawberry chunks, for gosh sakes! But it's also bad for you -- there's sugar AND there's fat AND it's also a bit expensive (over 5 bucks). So it's not an everyday thing, but is good for a treat week, and right now every week is a treat week for sadmanda :)

Overall
Cost: 4/10
Taste: 7/10

Philadelphia Spicy Jalapeño Cream Cheese

I only got this because the store was out of Garden Veggie flavor, but you know what, it's pretty good on its own merits! There is a nice heat to the jalapeño bits, and not too much unadulterated Cream Cheese flavor, which I like. A little garlicy but not overmuch. If you're looking for 'some but not a lot' of savory flavor, this is your topping!

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 7/10

Philadelphia Garden Vegetable Cream Cheeese

I only bought this 'cause I used to get Garden Veggie cream cheese at Dunkin, and I only originally got that because I thought "ooh, veggie=healthy". Silly young me. This isn't healthy, but it's filling, which is great for my morning bagel! I think this isn't as good as the Dunkin version, but it's similar. Tastes more like cream cheese than like garden veggie, but that's still pleasant.

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10