Patrick Oconnell
Yellow American cheese is a popular choice for cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and macaroni, but is it bad for you? American cheese is a processed cheese made from a blend of two or more real cheeses, along with other ingredients like milk, whey, emulsifiers, and food colouring. While it's true that some of these additives may be chemicals, this doesn't necessarily make them harmful. The key is to understand the context and potential effects of these ingredients. In terms of taste, some brands of yellow American cheese have been described as gummy, grainy, bland, or overly salty. Nevertheless, it remains a favourite among chefs for its smooth, meltable texture and versatility in various dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cheese, milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food colouring, flavourings, salt, emulsifiers (potassium phosphate, sodium, citrate), vegetable oil, water, food starch, gelatin |
| Texture | Creamy, gooey, melty, smooth, homogeneous, fudgy, sticky, grainy, gloppy, firm, oozy, velvety |
| Taste | Mild, salty, sharp, peppery, caramelized milk, sweet, acrid, plasticky, artificial, notes of fake butter, cheese and cardboard |
| Colour | Yellow, white |
| Use cases | Cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni, omelettes, scrambled eggs, breakfast sandwiches, cheesesteaks |
| Nutritional value | High in protein, calcium, fat, sodium |
| Health effects | May contain chemicals and additives that are harmful in large quantities or over time |
| Popularity | Widely consumed in the US, with over 110 million Americans eating at least one slice of Kraft American cheese weekly |
| Legal classification | Processed cheese, cheese product, pasteurized process American cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Yellow American cheese is not real cheese
Yellow American cheese is not considered "real" cheese. From a legal perspective, the FDA requires any cheese made from a blend of two or more "real" cheeses to be labelled as "process cheese" or a "cheese product". Most American cheese is made by blending cheddar, colby, and similar cheeses with other ingredients, like extra whey, milk proteins, vitamins, colouring, and emulsifying agents. This blend of real cheese with texture- and flavour-altering ingredients means that American cheese is not exactly cheese.
While white American cheese is left natural, yellow American cheese has colouring added to give it a more cheddar-like appearance. Some brands use natural colourings like annatto or paprika, while cheaper brands may use artificial food dyes. Outside of the colour, white and yellow American cheeses are the same. However, American cheese and cheddar cheese are not the same. Cheddar is "real" cheese, made from 100% cow's milk that has been coagulated with rennet, an enzyme that separates curds from whey. The only other ingredients that may be added to cheddar cheese are salt and food colouring.
American cheese is a processed cheese, and its manufacturing process differs from that of traditional cheeses. Because of this, federal laws mandate that it be labelled as "pasteurized process American cheese" if made from more than one cheese. To be labelled "American cheese", a processed cheese is required to be manufactured from cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, washed curd cheese, or granular cheese, or any mixture of two or more of these.
American cheese was invented in the 1910s by James L. Kraft, the founder of Kraft Foods Inc., who obtained a patent for his manufacturing process in 1916. During World War II, Kraft's American cheese was used for "filled cheese sandwiches" as its consistency worked well for such a sandwich. Today, Kraft Singles are the most popular brand of American cheese on the market.
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It is high in saturated fat and sodium
Yellow American cheese is high in saturated fat and sodium. The cheese is made from a blend of two or more "real" cheeses, which are mechanically grated and melted together. Additional dairy products, such as milk and whey, as well as milk and whey proteins, are then added to the mixture. To achieve the yellow colour, colouring is added to give it a more cheddar-like appearance. Some brands use natural colourings, like annatto or paprika, while cheaper brands may use artificial food dyes.
Sodium citrate is also added to the mixture, which acts as an emulsifier and prevents the cheese from separating during heating. This additive is important as it allows the cheese to be pasteurized without its components separating. The composition requirements of processed American cheese control the percentage of milk fat, moisture, salt and pH value in the final product, along with specifications for flavour, body, texture, colour, and meltability.
The high levels of saturated fat in American cheese can contribute to high cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to no more than 5-6% of total daily calories. Excessive sodium intake is also linked to negative health outcomes, including high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
While the exact amount of saturated fat and sodium can vary by brand and type of American cheese, it is generally recommended to consume these types of cheeses in moderation as part of a balanced diet. For those with high blood pressure or heart disease risk factors, it may be advisable to limit or avoid foods high in saturated fat and sodium, such as yellow American cheese.
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It is a good source of vitamins and minerals
While yellow American cheese is not considered "real" cheese, it does offer a good range of vitamins and minerals. It is made from a blend of two or more types of "real" cheeses, such as Cheddar, Colby, washed curd cheese, and granular cheese, along with other ingredients.
A single slice of American cheese can provide more than 10% of the daily value for vitamin B12, calcium, and phosphorus. These minerals are essential for maintaining good bone health. Vitamin B12 is crucial for producing DNA and red blood cells. American cheese is also a source of vitamin A, which promotes eye and immune health, and zinc, which plays an important role in overall health.
Some brands of American cheese also fortify their product with vitamin D, which helps strengthen bones by improving the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. However, it is important to note that American cheese is considered a processed food and has a higher sodium content than regular cheese. It also contains saturated fat, which should be limited in a balanced diet.
The nutritional value of American cheese can vary slightly between different brands and whether you choose the "cheese product" or the "cheese food." Overall, while American cheese does offer some vitamins and minerals, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a well-formulated diet.
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It is a popular choice for cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches
Yellow American cheese is a popular choice for cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. Its meltability and goo factor make it a reliable cooking ingredient for these dishes. Its smooth and meltable texture means it can act as an adhesive layer to maintain the form of the cheeseburger. It is also commonly used in breakfast foods, such as omelettes, scrambled eggs, and breakfast sandwiches with eggs and bacon.
American cheese is a processed cheese made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses, in conjunction with sodium citrate, which permits the cheese to be pasteurized without its components separating. It is mild with a creamy texture and salty flavour, has a medium-firm consistency, and has a low melting point. It is typically yellow or white in colour; yellow American cheese is seasoned and coloured with annatto or paprika. Some cheaper brands may use artificial food dyes.
The process of making American cheese involves blending two or more "real" cheeses with emulsifying agents and other ingredients, then heating the mixture until it forms a melted homogeneous mixture. It is then poured into large moulds to solidify into sliceable bricks, which become the American cheese slices sold in the deli department.
American cheese is a popular choice for cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches because of its meltability and gooey texture. It also has a mild flavour that does not overpower the other ingredients in these dishes. In a taste test of 10 different brands of American cheese on burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, the cheeses that melted the best scored the best, although lack of flavour downgraded some of the best melters.
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It is made with emulsifying agents and other additives
Yellow American cheese is made with emulsifying agents and other additives. It is a type of processed cheese made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses, in conjunction with sodium citrate, which acts as an emulsifier. This additive is crucial as it prevents the cheese fats from separating during pasteurization, allowing the cheese to maintain a smooth and homogeneous texture.
The use of emulsifying agents, such as sodium citrate, is what differentiates American cheese from traditional cheeses. According to federal regulations, for a product to be labelled as "American cheese," it must be made from a blend of two or more "real" cheeses and contain an emulsifying agent. This blend of cheeses is mechanically grated, melted, and then combined with additional dairy products, flavourings, and salt.
The addition of sodium citrate is what enables American cheese to melt without breaking or turning greasy, a characteristic that sets it apart from traditional cheeses. This unique melting property makes it a popular choice for sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches. It acts as an adhesive layer, helping to maintain the form of the burger.
While sodium citrate is the primary emulsifying agent used in American cheese, other additives may be included as well. These can include colouring agents like annatto or paprika, with annatto also contributing to the cheese's cheddar-like appearance and flavour. Additionally, acidifying agents and optional dairy fat sources may be added, but these cannot exceed 5% of the total weight of the product.
In summary, yellow American cheese is made with emulsifying agents, notably sodium citrate, and other additives that enhance its texture, flavour, and appearance. These additives contribute to its smooth, meltable texture and make it a versatile ingredient in various dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on how much you eat and what it's made of. Some brands use natural colourings like annatto or paprika, while cheaper brands may use artificial food dyes. Yellow American cheese also has more salt than its white counterpart.
Yellow American cheese is made from a blend of two or more "real" cheeses, such as cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses, in conjunction with sodium citrate, which acts as an emulsifier and prevents the cheese from separating during pasteurisation. It also contains dairy products like milk and whey, as well as milk and whey proteins, salt, and flavourings.
Technically, no. From a legal perspective, the FDA requires any cheese made from a blend of two or more "real" cheeses to be labelled as "process cheese" or a "cheese product". To be labelled as "American cheese", a processed cheese must be manufactured from cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, washed curd cheese, or granular cheese, or any mixture of two or more of these.
Popular brands of yellow American cheese include Kraft, Land O'Lakes, Andrew & Everett, Aldi's Happy Farms Deluxe, Clover Valley Deluxe, and Great Value Deluxe.
