
Doritos are an American brand of tortilla chips that come in a variety of flavours, including the now-ubiquitous nacho cheese. The nacho cheese flavour was introduced in 1972 and has since become one of the most popular Doritos flavours. The chips are made with a variety of ingredients, including corn, vegetable oil, and cheese. But are they made with real cheese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Corn, Vegetable Oil (Sunflower, Canola, and/or Corn Oil), Maltodextrin (made from corn), Salt, Cheddar Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Whey, Monosodium Glutamate, Buttermilk, Romano Cheese (part-skim cow's milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Romano Cheese (cow's milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Whey Protein Concentrate, Onion Powder, Corn Flour, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Dextrose, Tomato Powder, Lactose, Spices, Artificial Color (Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Skim Milk, Red and Green Bell Pepper Powder |
| Number of Ingredients | 26 |
| Cheese Ingredients | Cheddar Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Whey, Romano Cheese (part-skim cow's milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Romano Cheese (cow's milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Whey Protein Concentrate |
| Cheese Cultures | Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes |
| Animal-Derived Ingredients | Milk (Reduced Fat), Milk (Fat Free), Cheese (Cheddar), Milk, Buttermilk, Cheese Culture |
| Allergens | Wheat, Milk, Soy |
| Nutrition Score | Unhealthy |
| Concerns | Unhealthy artificial trans fats, Vegetable oils, Antibiotics and/or growth promoters, Artificial colors |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Cheddar cheese is an ingredient in Doritos
Cheddar cheese is indeed an ingredient in Doritos, specifically in the nacho cheese flavour. Doritos are an American brand of flavoured tortilla chips, with the original flavour being toasted corn, followed by taco in 1967, and then nacho cheese in 1972. The nacho cheese flavour is created using a combination of 26 separate ingredients, including cheddar cheese.
The cheddar cheese used in Doritos is made from milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes. While this may sound concerning, a food scientist reassures consumers that "starter cultures and enzymes are just used to accelerate the process of coagulating milk into cheese". In fact, most cheeses are made using some type of enzyme to speed up the fermentation process.
Doritos made for the US market do not use pork-derived animal rennet in their cheese flavourings. However, it is important to note that the cheese in Doritos may contain ingredients derived from animals treated with antibiotics and/or growth promoters.
The nacho cheese flavour also includes other ingredients such as buttermilk, Romano cheese, whey protein concentrate, onion powder, and corn flour. While some of these ingredients may not be harmful in isolation, their combined effect on the body may be less than favourable. For example, vegetable oils, which are a prominent ingredient in Doritos, have been linked to causing diabetes.
The Magic Ingredients Behind Cabot Cheese's Deliciousness
You may want to see also

Doritos contain Romano cheese
Doritos are an American brand of flavored tortilla chips produced by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. The chips are available in a wide variety of flavors, including the original Toasted Corn, Taco, and the now-ubiquitous Nacho Cheese.
Doritos contain a plethora of ingredients, with the Nacho Cheese flavor containing 26 separate ingredients. The product contains corn, vegetable oil, salt, cheddar cheese, maltodextrin, whey, monosodium glutamate, buttermilk solids, romano cheese, whey protein concentrate, onion powder, partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil, corn flour, disodium phosphate, lactose, natural and artificial flavor, dextrose, tomato powder, spices, lactic acid, artificial color, citric acid, sugar, garlic powder, red and green bell pepper powder, sodium caseinate, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, nonfat milk solids, whey protein isolate, and corn syrup solids.
Romano cheese is one of the 26 ingredients in Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips. The full ingredients list for this type of cheese includes part-skim cow's milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes. The cheese goes through a similar process to that of cheddar cheese. Romano cheese is typically added to processed cheese products, such as cheddar, to enhance the body, texture, and spreadability.
The inclusion of romano cheese in Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips contributes to the overall flavor and texture profile of the product. The cheese, along with other ingredients, helps to create the distinct taste and texture that has made Doritos a popular snack choice worldwide.
Authentic Cannolis: The Cheese Factor
You may want to see also

Doritos made for the US market don't use pork-derived animal rennet
Doritos are an American brand of flavoured tortilla chips, with the original flavour being toasted corn. The concept for Doritos originated at Disneyland at a restaurant managed by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. Doritos became the first tortilla chip available nationally in the United States in 1966, with the original flavour of toasted corn. This was followed by taco flavour in 1967 and nacho cheese in 1972.
Doritos are not considered vegan-friendly, as nearly all flavours contain animal-derived ingredients such as milk and cheese. However, Doritos made for the US market generally do not use pork-derived animal rennet in the making of the cheese flavourings used on the chip. Rennet is a mixture of enzymes produced in any mammalian stomach to help digest milk, and it is used in the production of cheese. While Doritos made for the US market do not use pork-derived animal rennet, it is important to note that they may still contain other animal-derived ingredients, such as milk or chicken.
Some people may be concerned about the presence of pork-derived animal rennet in cheese for religious or ethical reasons. For example, Muslims who strictly interpret Islamic dietary laws would not consume products containing pork-derived ingredients, and as such, Doritos are not considered halal. Similarly, Jews who keep kosher would also avoid consuming pork and its derivatives. Vegetarians may also want to avoid animal rennet, as it is an animal product, and some may have ethical concerns about the use of rennet in the production of cheese.
It is important to note that while Doritos made for the US market do not use pork-derived animal rennet, other ingredients in Doritos may still be derived from animals. For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, it is always essential to carefully read the labels of any food product before consuming it.
Apetina Cheese: A Dive into Its Unique Ingredients
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Doritos contain vegetable oils, which can cause diabetes
Doritos are a popular brand of flavoured tortilla chips, with a wide variety of flavours available worldwide. The original flavour was toasted corn, followed by taco in 1967, and nacho cheese in 1972. The nacho cheese flavour was particularly successful and was followed by other cheese-based flavours, such as Cool Ranch (known as "Cool Original" in the UK and "Cool American" in the rest of Europe).
Doritos contain vegetable oils, which are made from refining mixtures of crude plant oils. Vegetable oils have been linked to an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Free fatty acids present in vegetable oils have been reported to impair insulin action, leading to insulin resistance and the development of Type 2 Diabetes. However, it is important to note that the impact of vegetable oil consumption on diabetes is still not fully understood. Some studies suggest that vegetable oils may help improve diabetes complications, including inflammatory response and oxidative stress.
The impact of vegetable oil consumption on diabetes may also vary depending on the specific type of vegetable oil and individual factors. For example, a Chinese cohort study found a positive association between cooking oil consumption and the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, but this was largely driven by lard consumption, which is traditionally considered an unhealthy source of animal fat. Other cooking oils commonly used in China, such as peanut oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and various processed vegetable oils, may have different effects on diabetes risk that are not yet fully understood.
While the exact mechanism is not yet clear, some studies have suggested that consuming diets fortified with certain vegetable oils, such as palm oil, groundnut oil, and coconut oil, can help reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. These oils may also have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels, but more research is needed to understand their impact on diabetes in humans.
In conclusion, while Doritos contain vegetable oils, which have been linked to an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes, the relationship between vegetable oil consumption and diabetes is complex and not fully understood. Further studies are needed to determine the specific effects of different types of vegetable oils on diabetes risk and management.
The Mystery Behind Plastic Cheese: Ingredients Revealed
You may want to see also

Doritos contain artificial trans fats
Doritos are an American brand of flavored tortilla chips produced by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. The original flavor was toasted corn, followed by taco in 1967, and nacho cheese in 1972. The nacho cheese flavor is made with ingredients derived from animals that may have been treated with antibiotics and/or growth promoters, such as milk, cheese, and buttermilk.
Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, commonly found in snack foods, are a significant source of artificial trans fats. In response to growing health concerns, Frito-Lay announced in 2002 that Doritos would be going "trans-fat free" in 2003. The company planned to replace partially hydrogenated soybean oil, which contains trans fats, with corn oil, a polyunsaturated oil believed to lower LDL cholesterol.
Despite Frito-Lay's efforts to remove trans fats, some Doritos products may still contain small amounts of artificial trans fats. Canola oil and corn oil, which are used in some Doritos varieties, can contain trace amounts of trans fats when processed at high temperatures. However, it is important to note that the contribution of trans fats from these refined oils is typically less than 0.6 grams per day, which is within the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization.
The Ultimate Cheese Enchilada Recipe Ingredients Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips contain cheddar and Romano cheese.
There are 26 separate ingredients in total, including corn, maltodextrin, salt, buttermilk, whey protein concentrate, onion powder, corn flour, and natural and artificial flavor.
Doritos made for the US market generally do not use pork-derived animal rennet in the making of the cheese flavorings. However, they do contain ingredients derived from animals that may have been treated with antibiotics and/or growth promoters.
While most of the individual ingredients in Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips aren't all that bad, they become a "cheese-dust-covered grenade" when consumed together. Vegetable oils, which are present in Doritos, can cause diabetes and contribute to the rise in food allergies. Doritos also contain small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats.

























