Frederic Melton
Jamaican cheese, or Tastee Cheese, is a processed cheese product made in Jamaica. It is a staple food in Jamaica, especially at Easter, when it is eaten inside a Jamaican spiced bun—a twist on the British hot cross bun. Tastee Cheese is canned and has a smooth, creamy texture and salty taste. It is considered nutritious and is a rich source of protein and calcium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth, slightly firmer than Kraft cheese |
| Taste | Salty, creamy, like cheddar but softer and more mellow |
| Ingredients | Cheese, emulsifiers, extra salt, food colorings, whey |
| Fat Content | >47% |
| Nutritional Value | Good source of protein and calcium |
| Pairing | Buns, soups, sauces, dips |
| Manufacturer | Tastee Cheese |
| Packaging | Metal container with plastic lid |
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Tastee Cheese: a Jamaican staple
Canned cheese is a Jamaican staple, and Tastee Cheese is a beloved brand on the island. The cheese has a smooth, slightly processed taste and is considered nutritious and healthy. It is a rich source of protein and calcium, which help the body maintain a healthy metabolism and muscle regeneration.
Tastee Cheese is produced and canned in Jamaica by Jamaicans, although the raw materials are imported. It is the only company in Jamaica and the Caribbean that manufactures processed cheese in a can, designed to appeal to the local palate. The cheese is described as having a salty and creamy texture, similar to American processed cheese.
The history of Tastee Cheese is a bit unclear. Some sources suggest that the recipe and original product were created by a company in New Zealand, while others claim that it is a uniquely Jamaican product. However, it is now a well-established part of Jamaican food culture, especially during Easter.
The "bun and cheese" is a classic Jamaican Easter food pairing. It consists of a slice of Tastee Cheese inside a Jamaican spiced bun, a Caribbean twist on the British hot cross bun. The tradition of eating crossed buns on Good Friday was brought to Jamaica by colonists in the mid-1600s. Locals adapted the recipe by shaping it into a loaf, using molasses instead of honey, and adding dried fruit. Today, a slice of Tastee Cheese in the middle completes this holiday treat.
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The history of canning
Canned cheese is a Jamaican staple, with the most well-known brand being Tastee Cheese. The history of canning this processed cheese product is not well-known, but it appears that the recipe and product originated in New Zealand, and it is now produced and canned in Jamaica.
Tastee Cheese is the only company in Jamaica and the Caribbean that manufactures a processed cheese in a can, specifically tailored to the Jamaican and Caribbean palate. It is a rich source of protein and calcium, which helps the body maintain many functions, from a healthy metabolism to muscle regeneration.
The process of canning involves preserving food in sealed containers, and it has a long history that dates back to the late 18th century. In 1790, a British cook named Peter Durand invented the process of canning food. He discovered that food could be preserved by sealing it in containers and heating it. This discovery revolutionized the way food could be stored and transported, and it became especially important for military and naval use, as well as for the general public. Over time, the process of canning became more refined, with improvements in can design and the development of retort pouches, which are flexible containers that can withstand high temperatures.
In the context of Jamaican cheese, canning serves the purpose of preserving the processed cheese and making it suitable for storage and consumption throughout the year. While the exact details of how and when the canning process was applied to this particular product are not clear, it is likely that the manufacturers adopted the widely used technique of canning to extend the shelf life of the cheese and make it convenient for consumers to store and use.
Today, Tastee Cheese is enjoyed by many Jamaicans and is considered an essential part of traditional dishes like the "Bun and Cheese," a Caribbean twist on the British hot cross bun, which is commonly eaten during Easter.
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Easter tradition: Bun and cheese
Easter in Jamaica is incomplete without the iconic duo of spiced bun and cheese. This unique tradition has its roots in the mid-1600s when colonists brought their customs of eating crossed buns on Good Friday to symbolize Jesus' crucifixion. Jamaicans put their own twist on this tradition, shaping the dough into a loaf, using molasses instead of honey, and adding dried fruit. But what truly sets this tradition apart is the addition of a slice of Tastee Cheese.
Tastee Cheese, a canned processed cheese product, is an integral part of the Jamaican Easter. Its origin story is just as fascinating as its taste. While some claim that the recipe and product originated in New Zealand, it is now produced and enjoyed in Jamaica. Tastee Cheese has become so synonymous with Jamaica that it is often considered a delicacy, despite some questioning its authenticity.
The cheese itself has a smooth, slightly processed taste, reminiscent of cheddar but with a softer, more mellow flavour. It is a versatile ingredient, used in soups, sauces, dips, and even baked goods. Its salty and creamy flavour profile makes it a beloved staple in Jamaican cuisine, especially when paired with the spiced bun during Easter.
The spiced bun, a Caribbean take on the British hot cross bun, is a delicious treat on its own. Jamaicans have perfected the art of this bun by shaping it into a loaf and adding their own unique touches. The result is a mouthwatering combination of spices, dried fruit, and molasses.
Together, the spiced bun and Tastee Cheese create a match made in heaven. The salty, creamy cheese complements the sweet, spiced bun, making it a beloved Easter tradition in Jamaica. This unique pairing has become an essential part of Jamaican culture, bringing families and friends together during the holiday season.
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Tastee Cheese nutritional value
Jamaican cheese, or Tastee Cheese, is a processed cheese product that is a staple in Jamaica. It is canned and has a smooth, creamy texture and a slightly processed cheese taste. It is often paired with a Jamaican spiced bun, especially during Easter.
Tastee Cheese is a nutritious food, containing a variety of essential nutrients. It is a good source of protein and calcium, which are important for bone health. In addition, it contains phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. These vitamins and minerals contribute to the overall nutritional value of the cheese.
Vitamin B, for example, aids the body in absorbing and distributing calcium, which is crucial for maintaining bone strength. This is especially beneficial for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and lactating women, as they are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. By including Tastee Cheese in their diets, these individuals can help prevent bone loss and maintain strong, healthy bones.
In addition to its nutritional benefits, Tastee Cheese is also a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. It can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, sauces, dips, and sandwiches. Its salty and creamy flavour enhances the taste of other ingredients, making it a popular choice for many.
While some may compare the taste of Tastee Cheese to that of processed cheese products like Velveeta or Kraft, it has a unique flavour and texture of its own. It is firmer than some other processed cheeses and may not melt as easily, but it is still a favourite among those who have tried it.
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Tastee Cheese manufacturing
Tastee Cheese is a canned, processed cheese product manufactured in Jamaica. It is considered a Jamaican staple, often paired with Jamaican spiced buns during Easter. The cheese has a smooth, creamy texture and a salty, mellow flavour reminiscent of cheddar but softer.
The manufacturing process of Tastee Cheese involves combining normal cheese with other unfermented dairy ingredients, emulsifiers, salt, and sometimes food colourings or whey. This mixture is then heated and poured into cans, which are sealed and sterilized to create a shelf-stable product.
While the exact recipe and manufacturing process of Tastee Cheese are not publicly available, we can make some educated guesses based on the ingredients and final product. The cheese is likely made by blending and melting the cheese and dairy ingredients with the emulsifiers and salt to create a homogeneous mixture. This mixture is then heated to a specific temperature and poured into cans. The cans are then sealed and placed in a retort or autoclave, which uses steam and pressure to sterilize the contents, making it safe for consumption and extending its shelf life.
Tastee Cheese is produced by GraceKennedy Ltd. in collaboration with the New Zealand Dairy Board, with the raw materials imported into Jamaica. The company claims to be the only one in Jamaica and the Caribbean producing a processed cheese product specifically tailored to the Jamaican and Caribbean palate.
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Frequently asked questions
Jamaican cheese, or Tastee Cheese, is a processed cheese product that is canned and has a smooth, creamy texture. It is considered a Jamaican staple and is often paired with buns during Easter.
Jamaican cheese is made from normal cheese and sometimes other unfermented dairy ingredients, along with emulsifiers, extra salt, food colorings, or whey. It is manufactured in Jamaica, specifically by the company Tastee Cheese, and is designed to appeal to the Jamaican and Caribbean palate.
Jamaican cheese has been described as tasting similar to American processed cheese, such as Velveeta or Kraft cheese. It is said to have a slightly processed cheese taste that is softer and more mellow than cheddar cheese.
