Frederic Melton
Cheez-Its are crunchy, square-shaped snacks that are made with 100% real cheese, primarily cheddar, combined with skim milk, wheat flour, oil, and other ingredients. They were first baked by the Green & Green Company in 1921 and acquired by the Kellogg Company in 2001. The cheese in Cheez-Its gives them their distinctive flavour and texture, and they are a popular snack for cheese lovers. However, they are high in sodium and fat, making them an occasional treat to be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Real cheese | Yes |
| Manufacturer | Kellogg Company |
| Acquired by Kellogg | 2001 |
| First batch created by | Green & Green Company |
| Year of first batch | 1921 |
| Facility location | Battle Creek, Michigan |
| Cheese type | Primarily cheddar |
| Milk type | Skim milk |
| Other ingredients | Wheat flour, oil, annatto extract color, paprika, etc. |
| Nutritional value | High in sodium and fat |
| Suitable for vegans | No |
| Suitable for people with dairy allergies | No |
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What You'll Learn
Cheez-Its are made with 100% real cheese, primarily cheddar
Cheez-Its are a beloved snack cracker with a unique formula that captures the essence of real cheese in a crispy, bite-sized snack. They are made with 100% real cheese, primarily cheddar, combined with skim milk, wheat flour, oil, and other ingredients. The Kellogg Company, a brand known for its breakfast cereals, acquired the Cheez-It brand in 2001, although the first batch of Cheez-Its was created by the Green & Green Company in 1921.
The Green & Green Company has an interesting history, dating back to World War I when they supplied the United States military with a cracker-like bread known as hardtack. This durable and tasty food was well-liked by the troops and helped establish the company's reputation. However, it was Kellogg's commitment to quality and innovation that propelled Cheez-Its to household name status. Their facility in Battle Creek, Michigan, is where each box of Cheez-Its is carefully crafted, ensuring a consistent and authentic cheesy experience.
While the core ingredient of real cheese has remained constant, there may have been minor adjustments to the recipe over the years, including the addition of new flavour varieties. For example, the iconic orange tint of Cheez-Its is not solely due to the cheese but is enhanced by the presence of annatto extract colour, a natural food dye. Additionally, the signature spice of the original-flavoured Cheez-It is paprika, which also contributes to its iconic colour and flavour.
Cheez-Its are not suitable for vegans or those with dairy allergies due to the presence of real cheese made from cow's milk. While they are a tasty treat, they are high in sodium and fat, making them less healthy. They also contain artificial flavours and colourings. As such, they are best enjoyed as an occasional snack within a balanced diet.
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The snack was first made by the Green & Green Company in 1921
The crunchy, bite-sized snack, Cheez-Its, was first made by the Green & Green Company in 1921. The Green & Green Company was a Dayton, Ohio-based cracker manufacturer. During the First World War, the company supplied the US military with a cracker-like bread, totalling 6.5 million pounds. This cracker-esque bread was known as hardtack and was durable and tasty, making it suitable for consumption in less-than-ideal conditions.
The Green & Green Company was later acquired by the Kellogg Company in 2001. Kellogg's is a brand that is synonymous with breakfast cereals and an array of other food products. The Kellogg Company's commitment to quality helped Cheez-Its gain household name status. Cheez-Its are made from 100% real cheese, primarily cheddar, combined with skim milk, wheat flour, oil, and other ingredients. The facility in Battle Creek, Michigan, is where the magic happens, ensuring each box of Cheez-Its carries the legacy of authentic cheesy goodness.
The cheese in Cheez-Its is not the dominant ingredient, with flour and vegetable oil trumping it in the ingredient list. However, the cheese is combined with other ingredients to create the snack's distinct flavour and texture. The orange tint of Cheez-Its is partially due to the cheese, but it is also enhanced by the addition of annatto extract colour, a natural food dye.
Cheese is an ancient food whose origins predate recorded history, with the earliest proposed dates for its origin ranging from around 8000 BCE when sheep were first domesticated. The production of cheese has continued to flourish, especially in Europe, and it has become an established food worldwide.
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The Kellogg Company acquired the brand in 2001
Cheez-Its are indeed made with real cheese. The cheese is combined with wheat flour, vegetable oil, skim milk, salt, and spices to create the snack's distinct flavour and texture. The majority of the cheese used in Cheez-Its is Cheddar, although it is made with skim milk.
The Green & Green Company in Dayton, Ohio, baked the first batch of Cheez-Its in 1921. The company was founded by Weston Green in 1907 and produced a variety of baked snack foods, including Dayton crackers, graham crackers, and gingersnaps. During World War I, they supplied the US military with a cracker-like bread called hardtack.
In the early 1930s, the Kansas City-based Sunshine Biscuits (originally known as the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company) acquired Green & Green. Sunshine Biscuits expanded the distribution and popularity of Cheez-It crackers across the country. In 1996, Keebler acquired Sunshine Biscuits, and in 2001, Kellogg Co. acquired Keebler, bringing Cheez-It crackers under its umbrella.
Kellogg's commitment to quality has helped propel Cheez-Its to household name status. The company launched a significant ad campaign in 2010 to emphasise that the "cheez" in Cheez-It crackers is, in fact, real cheese. Kellogg's has also expanded the Cheez-It brand with innovative new products, such as Grooves, Duoz, Snap'd, and Puff'd.
In 2022, Kellogg Co. was named Snack Producer of the Year, with Cheez-It crackers contributing significantly to its success. However, in 2023, Kellogg's announced it would split into three companies, with its snack food business becoming Kellanova. On August 14, 2024, it was revealed that Mars Inc., the maker of Snickers and M&Ms, would acquire Kellanova, including the Cheez-It brand, in a deal worth $35.9 billion. The transaction is expected to close in early 2025.
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The crackers are high in sodium and fat, making them unhealthy
Cheez-Its are made with 100% real cheese, primarily cheddar, which is combined with skim milk, wheat flour, oil, and other ingredients. The crackers are high in sodium and fat, making them unhealthy. While cheese is a nutrient-dense food that provides protein, fats, and minerals, it is also high in sodium and saturated fat, which can have negative health effects.
Sodium and saturated fat are present in high amounts in cheese because salt is a key ingredient to hold moisture and prevent bacterial overgrowth, and milk fat is about 70% saturated fat. A high intake of sodium can lead to increased blood pressure and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, while saturated fat can increase LDL cholesterol levels, which can also negatively impact heart health.
In addition, the dietary patterns associated with cheese intake can be detrimental. For example, in the US, cheese is often added to pizzas or burgers, which already contain high levels of saturated fat and sodium. This combination can lead to an increased risk of adverse health effects, regardless of the amount of cheese consumed. It is recommended to limit the consumption of Cheez-Its and similar cheese crackers due to their high sodium and fat content.
However, it is important to note that the impact of cheese on health is still debated. Some studies suggest that specific nutrients in cheese, such as calcium and conjugated linoleic acid, may have protective effects on the heart. Additionally, replacing red meat with low-fat or high-fat dairy, including cheese, has been linked to a reduced risk of stroke. While Cheez-Its are made with real cheese and are high in sodium and fat, the overall health impact depends on individual dietary patterns and the types of food consumed with cheese.
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The cheese in Cheez-Its is not the dominant ingredient
Cheez-Its are indeed made with real cheese. The cheese is combined with other ingredients to create the snack's distinct flavour and texture. The majority of the cheese used in Cheez-Its is Cheddar, made with skim milk. However, it is important to note that cheese is not the dominant ingredient in Cheez-Its.
The history of Cheez-Its dates back to 1921 when the Green & Green Company, a Dayton, Ohio cracker manufacturer, baked the first batch. During World War I, the company supplied the US military with a cracker-like bread, known as hardtack, which was durable and provided sustenance to the troops. After the war, Green & Green Company shifted their focus to more flavourful fare, and in 1921, they created the first Cheez-Its.
In 2001, the Kellogg Company acquired the Cheez-Its brand, and they have since become a household name. Kellogg's commitment to quality and innovative marketing campaigns has contributed to the widespread popularity of Cheez-Its. The company emphasises the use of 100% real cheese in their product, which is combined with wheat flour, oil, and other ingredients.
While Cheez-Its do contain real cheese, it is not the primary ingredient. The ingredient list confirms that flour and vegetable oil are present in greater quantities than cheese. This is in contrast to competitors like Goldfish Crackers, which list cheese as the second ingredient after flour. The orange tint of Cheez-Its is also not solely derived from the cheese; annatto extract colour and paprika contribute to the iconic colour and flavour.
In summary, while Cheez-Its do contain real cheese, it is not the dominant ingredient. The snack's distinct flavour and texture come from a combination of cheese, flour, oil, and other ingredients. The history of Cheez-Its, from their early beginnings with Green & Green Company to their acquisition by Kellogg, has shaped their enduring popularity as a beloved snack.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Cheese It's are made with 100% real cheese, primarily cheddar, combined with skim milk and other ingredients.
Cheese It's contain wheat flour, oil, artificial flavors, preservatives, and colorings.
The Kellogg Company manufactures Cheese It's. The company acquired the brand in 2001, although the first batch of Cheese It's was created by the Green & Green Company in 1921.
Cheese It's are high in sodium and fat, which makes them unhealthy. They should be enjoyed as an occasional snack.
