Bushra Griffith
Doritos are a well-known brand of tortilla chips with a variety of flavours, including the iconic nacho cheese. The nacho cheese flavour was introduced in 1972 and has since become a classic, with its bold, cheesy seasoning. The cheese used in Doritos nacho cheese chips is a combination of cheddar, Romano, and other dairy products, such as whey and buttermilk. While real cheese is used, the chips also contain artificial ingredients and unhealthy trans fats, which have raised some concerns. The cheese is dehydrated and ground into a powder, along with onions and spices, to create the distinctive nacho cheese flavour coating on the chips.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Nacho Cheese |
| Type of Cheese | Cheddar, Colby, Romano, or Processed Cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Onions, Coriander, Chipotle, Cumin, Turmeric, Annatto Seed Powder, Maltodextrin, Sodium Caseinate, Monosodium Glutamate, Buttermilk, Whey, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Dextrose, Tomato Powder, Lactose, Spices, Artificial Color, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Skim Milk, Red and Green Bell Pepper Powder, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Potassium Chloride |
| Year of Launch | 1972 |
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What You'll Learn
Doritos' Nacho Cheese flavour contains real cheese
Doritos Nacho Cheese tortilla chips are one of the original Doritos flavours, launching in 1972. The snack is now available in many countries worldwide, with flavours differing regionally.
Doritos Nacho Cheese tortilla chips contain real cheese. The ingredients list for the US market includes:
- Whole corn
- Vegetable oil (corn, soybean, and/or sunflower oil)
- Salt
- Cheddar cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
- Maltodextrin
- Whey
- Monosodium glutamate
- Buttermilk solids
- Romano cheese (part skim cow's milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
The cheddar cheese used in Doritos Nacho Cheese tortilla chips is not dissimilar from average processed cheeses, despite containing ingredients like "cheese cultures" and "enzymes". Food scientist Shanahan explains that "starter cultures and enzymes are just used to accelerate the process of coagulating milk into cheese".
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Cheddar, Romano, and Colby cheese are used in Doritos
Doritos are tortilla chips that come in a variety of flavours. One of the original flavours, and one of the most popular, is nacho cheese.
The nacho cheese flavour is made using a combination of cheeses, including Cheddar, Romano, and Colby. Cheddar cheese is used to give the Doritos a sharp flavour, while Romano cheese is used to add umami, a savoury quality. Colby cheese is also used, and it is possible to make Doritos at home using this type of cheese.
To make the nacho cheese flavour, the cheeses are shredded and dehydrated. The dehydration process removes moisture from the cheese, leaving it slightly oily but mostly dry. The cheese is then ground into a fine powder, along with onions, and mixed with other ingredients such as coriander, chipotle, cumin, and turmeric. This powder is then coated onto the tortilla chips, giving them their distinctive flavour and colour.
The use of real cheese in Doritos, specifically Cheddar, Romano, and Colby cheese, contributes to the unique taste and texture that has made them a popular snack worldwide.
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Cheese is dehydrated and ground into a powder
Doritos are tortilla chips that come in a variety of flavours, including the ever-popular nacho cheese. The cheese flavour in Doritos is not simply sprinkled with cheese; instead, it is a complex process that involves dehydrating and grinding cheese into a powder. This powder is then mixed with other ingredients to create the signature nacho cheese flavour.
The cheese used in this process can vary; it may be Colby, cheddar, or processed cheese. The cheese is first shredded, and then dehydrated. Dehydration can be done in a dehydrator, or by placing the shredded cheese on a rack. The duration of dehydration depends on the type of cheese and the size of the shreds. The goal is to remove most of the moisture, resulting in a slightly oily but mostly dry cheese.
Once the cheese is dehydrated, it is ground into a fine powder. This can be done using a blender, but a more traditional method is to use a mortar and pestle. The ground cheese is then mixed with other ingredients to create the nacho cheese powder. These ingredients include onions, coriander, chipotle, cumin, and turmeric. The turmeric adds a golden colour to the powder, while annatto seed powder gives it the characteristic red hue.
The final step is to strain out any large pieces and ensure that the powder is fine enough to coat the tortilla chips evenly. This powder is then tossed with the fried tortilla chips, creating the beloved nacho cheese Doritos. The process of dehydrating and grinding the cheese is crucial to achieving the distinct flavour and texture of Doritos.
The nacho cheese flavour of Doritos is not just about the cheese itself but also the combination of other ingredients that enhance the overall taste experience. The cheese powder contains ingredients such as onion powder, garlic powder, and various forms of whey, all of which contribute to the savoury quality of the chips. Additionally, the use of monosodium glutamate (MSG) reinforces the umami flavour, making the nacho cheese Doritos a true snack sensation.
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Cheese powder is mixed with other ingredients to make Doritos
Doritos are an American brand of flavored tortilla chips produced by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. The original flavor was toasted corn, but the company soon expanded its flavor offerings. One of the most popular flavors is Nacho Cheese, which was introduced in 1972.
The Nacho Cheese flavor is created by mixing cheese powder with other ingredients. To make the cheese powder, cheese is shredded and dehydrated to remove moisture. Cheddar cheese is a common choice for this process, but other varieties such as Colby or processed cheese can also be used. The dehydrated cheese is then ground into a fine powder, which forms the base of the Nacho Cheese seasoning.
Onions are another key ingredient in the Nacho Cheese powder. They are ground into a fine powder, adding flavor and texture to the mix. Various spices are also included, such as coriander, chipotle, cumin, and turmeric. The turmeric adds a golden color to the powder, while annatto seed powder gives it the characteristic red hue associated with Doritos.
Other ingredients in the Nacho Cheese powder include Romano cheese, tomato powder, whey, monosodium glutamate, buttermilk, and various seasonings. These ingredients are combined and mixed thoroughly to create the iconic Nacho Cheese flavor that coats the tortilla chips. The powder is then tossed with the freshly fried chips to ensure an even coating, resulting in the beloved snack food that has gained worldwide popularity.
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Doritos contain artificial trans fats and MSG
Doritos are a popular snack food, and like many snack foods, they have come under scrutiny for their nutritional content. Doritos contain ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats. These include canola oil and corn oil, which are refined oils that contain trans fats when processed at high temperatures. While the World Health Organization recommends keeping trans fat intake to less than 1-2 grams per day, a 2012 FDA study found that refined oils can contribute an average of 0.6 grams of trans fat per day.
In addition to artificial trans fats, Doritos also contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), a common flavour enhancer. While MSG is naturally found in some foods like tomatoes and mushrooms, many people choose to avoid it due to sensitivity or potential health concerns. Doritos lists MSG as an ingredient on their packaging, allowing consumers to make an informed choice.
Doritos have faced criticism for their use of partially hydrogenated oils, which are a source of trans fats. The FDA defines "0" trans fat as 0.5 grams or less, so products with partially hydrogenated oils may still be labelled as having none. Doritos' use of these oils has led some to question the healthfulness of the product.
While Doritos do contain artificial trans fats and MSG, it's important to note that these ingredients are present in many processed foods. Consumers concerned about their intake of these substances can always opt for alternative snack options with simpler ingredient lists, such as plain potato chips or organic nacho chips.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Doritos contain real cheese. Cheddar cheese is listed as an ingredient in Nacho Cheese Doritos, along with other dairy products like whey, buttermilk, romano cheese, and skim milk.
Other ingredients include corn, vegetable oil (sunflower, canola, and/or corn oil), maltodextrin, salt, whey protein concentrate, onion powder, natural and artificial flavour, dextrose, tomato powder, spices, artificial colour, lactic acid, citric acid, sugar, garlic powder, red and green bell pepper powder, and monosodium glutamate.
The cheese used in Doritos is typically cheddar cheese, although some recipes suggest using Colby or processed cheese like Velveeta.
To make Doritos at home, you'll need to shred and dehydrate cheese, grind it into a powder, and mix it with ground onions and spices. The powder is then coated onto tortilla chips, which are fried in oil.
Nacho Cheese Doritos were introduced in 1972 and are considered one of the original Doritos flavours.
