Andy Montoya
American cheese and cheddar cheese are two very different types of cheese. Cheddar cheese, which originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese with a crumbly texture. It is made with cow's milk and matured for 3 to 18 months, resulting in a diverse range of flavours from mild to sharp. On the other hand, American cheese is a processed cheese product known for its smooth, creamy texture and mild flavour. It was patented by the founder of Kraft in 1916 as a way of sterilizing cheese and preventing food waste. While American cheese may contain some cheddar, it is not considered real cheese as it contains less than 51% cheese, with the rest being made up of other ingredients like milk, whey, emulsifying agents, and preservatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | American cheese has a milder taste compared to the sharper flavor of cheddar cheese. |
| Texture | American cheese has a smooth and creamy texture. Cheddar is a hard cheese with a crumbly texture. |
| Color | American cheese is available in various colors like yellow, white, and orange. Cheddar's natural color ranges from pale yellow to off-white, although some manufacturers add coloring to make it brighter yellow. |
| Ingredients | American cheese is made with milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food coloring, flavorings, emulsifiers, and salt. Cheddar cheese is made with cow's milk, salt, and sometimes a stabilizing agent like polysaccharide xanthan gum. |
| Melting Properties | American cheese melts easily and smoothly without becoming greasy, thanks to the addition of emulsifying agents. Cheddar cheese can be more challenging to melt and may become stringy and oily. |
| Price | American cheese is less expensive than cheddar cheese due to its artificial processing. |
| Health | Cheddar cheese is considered a real cheese and provides various health benefits, including fat-soluble vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and B vitamins. American cheese is a processed cheese product and may contain additives and unhealthy ingredients. |
| Usage | American cheese is commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches, hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, and cheese dips. Cheddar cheese is versatile and can be used in a wide range of recipes, including keto-friendly dishes. |
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What You'll Learn
American cheese is a blend of Colby and Cheddar
American cheese and cheddar cheese may look similar, but they are very different. Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting English cheese that originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. It has been produced there since at least the 12th century and is now the most popular cheese in the UK and the second most popular in the US. It is also keto-approved, as it contains zero grams of sugar per cup.
American cheese, on the other hand, is a smooth and creamy processed cheese product with a mild flavour. It is made from unfermented dairy and several other additives, including milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food colouring, flavourings, emulsifiers, and salt. The ingredients are blended and heated with emulsifiers, then poured into moulds to solidify. American cheese is not keto-friendly due to its high insulin index and the presence of sodium phosphate, which has been linked to acute kidney injury.
Colby cheese, also known as Colby Swiss Cheddar, is a semi-hard American cheese made from cow's milk. It was developed in 1874 or 1885 by Joseph Steinwand at his cheese factory near Colby, Wisconsin. Colby cheese is softer, milder, and creamier than Cheddar, with a more open texture. This is because it does not undergo the "cheddaring" process but is instead manufactured with a washed curd process that reduces the acid content.
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Cheddar is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese
Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese. It originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, and has been produced there since at least the 12th century. The cheese-making process involves heating cow's milk, then kneading the curd with salt, cutting it into cubes to drain the whey, stacking and turning the cubes, and finally maturing them at a constant temperature for 3 to 18 months. This ageing process results in a sharper flavour. Cheddar's natural colour ranges from pale yellow to off-white, but some manufacturers add a brighter yellow colouring.
Cheddar has a diverse flavour profile, with mild, medium, and sharp varieties available in both yellow and white. It is a popular cheese, especially in the UK, where it is the most consumed variety, and in the US, where it is the second most popular. Cheddar is commonly used in recipes and is known for its firm texture, usually being sliced, shredded, or grated before use. It is also keto-friendly due to its low sugar and carbohydrate content.
On the other hand, American cheese is a processed cheese product, often made from a blend of Colby and Cheddar cheeses, along with other ingredients like whey, milk, milk proteins, and emulsifying agents. This blend of cheeses and additives gives American cheese its characteristic smooth, creamy texture and mild flavour. It melts easily, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and cheese dips.
While American cheese is a convenient and popular option, particularly in the United States, it cannot be considered a true "cheese" as it contains less than 51% cheese. The addition of emulsifying agents, melting salts, and other ingredients gives it a unique texture and meltability that sets it apart from cheeses like Cheddar.
In terms of taste, American cheese has a milder flavour compared to the sharper, more robust taste of Cheddar. American cheese is often described as salty due to its added sodium chloride, while Cheddar's flavour can vary depending on the type and ageing process.
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American cheese is a processed cheese product
The process of making American cheese was patented by the founder of Kraft in 1916. The aim was to create a way of sterilising cheese and avoiding food waste. The resulting processed cheese had a long shelf life, was soft, sliceable, and rindless. It also didn't dry out too quickly. The process has changed very little since then, with the base cheeses melted down with liquids and emulsifying agents, then moulded and packaged.
The addition of an emulsifying agent is what gives American cheese its meltability. This is a unique property, as the cheese can melt smoothly without splitting into a greasy mess. This is because cheese is a delicate mix of fat, protein, and moisture, and when heated, these separate. The emulsifying agent keeps these elements together, creating a smooth, fluid emulsion.
American cheese is most commonly used in America on hamburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and cheese dips. It is a popular choice due to its texture and mild flavour, which can complement other ingredients without overwhelming them.
American cheese is not considered a "real cheese" as it contains less than 51% cheese. The FDA refers to it as "pasteurized processed American cheese food". Deli American cheese slices typically contain 51% cheese, so they can be labelled as cheese. However, it is still a processed cheese product, containing additives and other ingredients.
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Cheddar is keto-friendly, American cheese is not
Cheddar cheese is a versatile and keto-friendly option that can be used in many dishes. It is a hard, sharp-tasting English cheese with a natural colour ranging from pale yellow to off-white. The longer it is aged, the sharper its flavour becomes and the less sugar it contains, making it suitable for those on a keto diet. It is also available in medium and mild forms, with white and yellow varieties having similar flavour profiles. Cheddar is a popular cheese, used in a wide range of recipes, and can be melted, sliced, shredded, cubed, or grated. It pairs well with dried fruit, making for a balanced sweet and salty keto-friendly snack.
On the other hand, American cheese is not keto-friendly. It is a processed cheese product with a milder, slightly salty flavour, and a smooth and creamy texture. It is made with milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food colouring, flavourings, emulsifiers, and salt. The emulsifier sodium phosphate, often found in American cheese, has been linked to acute kidney injury. It is also high on the insulin index, which can cause an insulin spike, preventing the body from remaining in a state of ketosis, which is crucial for those following a keto diet.
The main differences between these two types of cheese are in their flavour, texture, and production methods. Cheddar has a sharper, more robust flavour, while American cheese is milder and creamier. Cheddar is aged naturally, resulting in its stronger flavour, whereas American cheese is artificially processed, making it less expensive and longer-lasting (12-15 years).
In terms of nutritional value, cheddar is considered a real cheese, providing the body with important vitamins and minerals, including fat-soluble vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and B vitamins. It contains zero grams of sugar per cup and approximately 0.4 grams of carbohydrates per ounce. In contrast, American cheese is classified as a cheese product, as it contains less than 51% cheese, with the remaining ingredients being additives and other unhealthy additives.
When it comes to keto-friendly options, cheddar is a better choice than American cheese due to its lower sugar and carbohydrate content, higher nutritional value, and lack of artificial ingredients that can negatively impact health and ketosis.
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American cheese is a better melting cheese
American cheese and cheddar cheese differ in many ways, including their taste, texture, and melting capabilities. While cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese with a robust flavour, American cheese has a milder, slightly salty taste and a smooth and creamy texture. American cheese is made with scraps of cheese that are emulsified together with acids and phosphates, while cheddar cheese is made with cow's milk and matured for several months.
When it comes to melting, American cheese is known to be one of the best melters. Its high emulsifier content, including sodium phosphate and potassium phosphate, discourages the cheese from clumping or becoming stringy, making it ideal for a silky nacho cheese sauce or a super soft omelette filling. The extra liquids added to American cheese give it an extremely low melting point, resulting in an extra gooey texture when melted. This makes it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and macaroni and cheese.
On the other hand, cheddar cheese is a harder cheese with a lower fat content, which can make it more challenging to melt smoothly. While it is still used in melted applications like mac and cheese or nachos, it may not produce the same level of creaminess as American cheese. Cheddar's firmer texture often leads to shredding, slicing, or grating before use, whereas American cheese melts easily without these additional steps.
In summary, American cheese is a superior melting cheese due to its smooth and creamy texture, high emulsifier content, and low melting point. Its ability to create a silky, clump-free sauce makes it a popular choice for dishes like nachos, dips, and grilled cheese sandwiches. While cheddar cheese has its own distinct flavour and texture advantages, American cheese's melting capabilities make it a favourite for creating indulgent, ooey-gooey cheese dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
American cheese is a processed cheese product made from a blend of cheeses, including cheddar, colby, and Swiss cheese, along with other ingredients like whey, milk, emulsifying agents, and preservatives. It was first patented by Kraft in 1916 as a way to sterilize cheese and prevent food waste.
Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese that originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, England. It is typically made with cow's milk and has been produced since at least the 12th century. Cheddar has a more robust flavor than American cheese and is considered a "real cheese" as it is aged naturally rather than artificially processed.
American cheese has a milder, slightly salty taste compared to the sharper flavor of cheddar cheese. It is known for its creamy texture and easy meltability, while cheddar has a firmer texture and is usually shredded or grated before use.
While American cheese and cheddar cheese have similar appearances, they have distinct tastes and textures. American cheese is often used in recipes that require a creamy texture and easy meltability, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and cheese dips. Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is a versatile ingredient used in a wide variety of recipes due to its stronger flavor. In some cases, American cheese can be substituted for cheddar, especially if you're looking for that signature melt, but it may not provide the same flavor profile as mature cheddar.
