Patrick Oconnell
Cheez Whiz is a brand of processed cheese sauce and spread produced by Kraft Foods. It was first sold in 1952 and continues to be in production today, although the recipe has been tweaked and adjusted over the years. The product is marketed in Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, and Venezuela, and is used as a topping for various foods, including corn chips, hot dogs, cheesesteaks, and even milkshakes. While it originally contained a reasonable amount of real cheese, today there is little-to-no cheese in Cheez Whiz. In this paragraph, we will explore how this iconic product is made.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kraft Foods |
| Invented by | Food scientist Edwin Traisman and his team |
| Invented in | 1952 |
| Type | Processed cheese sauce and spread |
| Colour | Orangish-yellow |
| Container | Glass jar |
| Used as | Topping for various foods, including corn chips, hot dogs, cheesesteaks, and broccoli |
| Marketed in | Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, and Venezuela |
| Ingredients | Milk, cream cheese, cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, turmeric, granulated sugar, whey, canola oil, milk protein concentrate, maltodextrin, sodium phosphate, modified food starch, lactic acid, sodium alginate, mustard flour, Worcestershire sauce, sorbic acid, milkfat, oleoresin paprika, cheese culture, enzymes, annatto |
| Use outside of food | Can be used to remove grease and oil stains from clothing |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheese Wiz is a processed cheese sauce and spread
- It is made with evaporated milk and American cheese
- Cheddar, cream cheese, and other ingredients can be added for flavour
- The sauce is seasoned with Worcestershire, paprika, mustard, and cayenne pepper
- It can be served warm or cold and stored for up to a week
Cheese Wiz is a processed cheese sauce and spread
Cheese Wiz, or Cheez Whiz, is a brand of processed cheese sauce and spread produced by Kraft Foods. It was first sold in 1952 and continues to be in production today, albeit with some changes to the formulation. It is marketed in Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, and Venezuela. It is often used as a topping for various foods, including corn chips, hot dogs, cheesesteaks, and even milkshakes.
Cheez Whiz is typically sold in a glass jar and is known for its orangish-yellow colour. While it is marketed as a cheese product, there is little-to-no real cheese in Cheez Whiz, which is reflected in its un-cheese-like flavour. The original recipe, however, did include a reasonable amount of real cheese, according to one of the food scientists on the team that invented it.
The ingredients in Cheez Whiz vary depending on the region and have changed over time. In the United States, the product has a reputation as being junk food. A 1953 ad in Kraft Foods’ home city of Chicago listed the following as the product’s original ingredients: “American Cheese, Water, Nonfat Dry Milk Solids, Condensed Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Cream, Worcestershire Sauce, Lactic Acid, Mustard, Salt, U.S.”. Today, ingredients listed on Amazon for the Canadian version of the product include modified milk ingredients, bacterial culture, salt, calcium chloride, colour, microbial enzyme, and lipase.
Homemade recipes for Cheez Whiz can be found online, which typically include dairy products such as milk and cream cheese, as well as spices and other flavourings.
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It is made with evaporated milk and American cheese
Cheez Whiz is a brand of processed cheese sauce and spread produced by Kraft Foods. It was first sold in 1952 and continues to be in production today, albeit with some changes in formulation. Interestingly, the product is marketed in Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, and Venezuela, but it has a reputation as junk food in the US.
While the recipe has likely been tweaked over the years, we do have some insight into the ingredients used in Cheez Whiz. A 1953 ad in Kraft Foods’ home city, Chicago, included a label listing the product’s original ingredients: “American Cheese, Water, Nonfat Dry Milk Solids, Condensed Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Cream, Worcestershire Sauce, Lactic Acid, Mustard, Salt, U.S."
The current ingredients list for the product, as listed on Amazon, includes "Modified Milk Ingredients, Cheese (milk Ingredients, Modified Milk Ingredients, Bacterial Culture, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Colour, Microbial Enzyme, Lipase)". This suggests that milk, and specifically, evaporated milk, is still a key ingredient in the product.
While the exact recipe is not publicly available, it is clear that Cheez Whiz is made with a combination of evaporated milk and American cheese, along with other ingredients to create its unique, processed cheese sauce texture and flavour.
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Cheddar, cream cheese, and other ingredients can be added for flavour
While Cheez Whiz is made with a variety of ingredients, including milk, cream cheese, and spices, some people choose to add other ingredients to enhance the flavour or texture. For example, cheddar cheese can be added to the sauce to make it even cheesier and more flavourful. This is a popular option for those who want a stronger cheese taste, as Cheez Whiz has been known to contain little-to-no real cheese. In fact, the product is often criticised for its lack of cheese flavour, and its "un-real-cheese-like" taste.
Cream cheese is another ingredient that can be added to Cheez Whiz to enhance its flavour and texture. This can be done by combining cream cheese with milk in a saucepan and heating it over medium-low heat, whisking frequently until the cream cheese has dissolved into the milk. This creates a smooth and creamy texture, perfect for those who want a richer and more indulgent cheese sauce.
Additionally, other ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and spices can be added to Cheez Whiz to enhance its flavour. These ingredients add a savoury and slightly tangy taste to the sauce, making it more complex and interesting. Some people also choose to add garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, or sugar to adjust the flavour profile to their liking.
For those who want a more indulgent and creamy texture, heavy cream can be used as a "magic ingredient". It helps to create a thick and rich sauce without the need for flour or other thickeners. This can be especially useful for those who want to pipe the Cheez Whiz onto crackers or celery, as a thicker consistency is required for this purpose.
By adding these ingredients, individuals can customise their Cheez Whiz to their preferred taste and texture, making it an even more versatile and enjoyable product.
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The sauce is seasoned with Worcestershire, paprika, mustard, and cayenne pepper
The sauce in Cheez Whiz is seasoned with a variety of ingredients, including Worcestershire sauce, paprika, mustard, and cayenne pepper. The full list of ingredients in Cheez Whiz includes modified milk ingredients, cheese (milk ingredients, modified milk ingredients, bacterial culture, salt, calcium chloride, colour, microbial enzyme, lipase), and whey (from milk). Other ingredients are canola oil, milk protein concentrate, maltodextrin, milk, sodium phosphate, modified food starch, salt, lactic acid, sodium alginate, mustard flour, and Worcestershire sauce (with its own sub-list of ingredients, including vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, water, salt, and various spices).
The inclusion of these spices and seasonings adds a depth of flavour to the sauce, enhancing its savoury qualities and contributing to its distinctive taste. The Worcestershire sauce, in particular, is known for its complex blend of flavours, including a tangy vinegar base, balanced with sweet molasses and spicy notes from the garlic powder and other spices.
Paprika, a ground spice made from dried red peppers, lends a subtle sweetness and a bright red colour to the sauce. The mustard flour, or mustard powder as it is sometimes called, provides a sharp, pungent kick that cuts through the richness of the cheese. Cayenne pepper, a type of chilli pepper, is also added for an extra layer of heat and spice, giving Cheez Whiz its signature tangy flavour.
These seasonings work together to create a unique and addictive taste sensation, making Cheez Whiz a popular topping for various snacks, from hot dogs and burgers to vegetables and chips. While the exact quantities of these ingredients in Cheez Whiz are proprietary, they are carefully balanced to achieve the desired flavour profile.
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It can be served warm or cold and stored for up to a week
Homemade Cheese Whiz can be served warm or cold and stored for up to a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is a spreadable cheese that can be made with raw or pasteurized milk. The consistency of the mixture can be adjusted by adding some of the reserved milk if it is too thick. It will be liquid when warm and will harden into a spreadable cheese as it cools.
Cheese Whiz is a brand of processed cheese sauce and spread produced by Kraft Foods. It is made with dairy products and should be refrigerated if not consumed immediately. The jarred variety is convenient and well-known, but making homemade Cheese Whiz is easy and customizable. It can be used as a dip for tortilla chips and vegetables, or as a topping for Philly cheesesteaks, nachos, and tater tots.
The key to achieving a smooth and gooey sauce is using evaporated milk and American cheese, which also acts as a stabilizer. Velveeta can be used in place of American cheese as it has similar silky properties. Cheddar cheese and cream cheese can be added for a tangy, salty, savoury flavour. The sauce can be seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, paprika, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper for a kick.
It is important to note that the homemade Cheese Whiz should not be allowed to boil during the preparation process. It can be gently reheated in a microwave-safe bowl or a saucepan before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese Wiz, also known as Cheez Whiz, is a brand of processed cheese sauce and spread produced by Kraft Foods. It is marketed in Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, and Venezuela.
Cheese Wiz is made of modified milk ingredients, cheese (milk ingredients, modified milk ingredients, bacterial culture, salt, calcium chloride, colour, microbial enzyme, lipase), and cheese culture. It also contains trisodium phosphate, a cleaning agent that is recognised as safe for human consumption by the US Food and Drug Administration.
To make Cheese Wiz, whisk cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, turmeric, and granulated sugar together in a small bowl. Add milk and cream cheese to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until the cream cheese has dissolved into the milk.
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