Kamil Perry
American cheese is neither American nor cheese, but it is a staple in the country's cuisine. It is a highly processed food product, with a long shelf life and a mild flavour. While it is neither healthy nor natural, it is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches and cheeseburgers. Organic American cheese is made with milk from pasture-raised cows and does not contain antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, or GMOs. Brands such as Organic Valley, Horizon Organics, and Applegate Organics offer USDA-certified organic American cheese slices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Organic cultured milk, water, organic butter (organic pasteurized sweet cream, salt), sodium citrate, salt, organic annatto (for color), and vegetarian enzymes |
| Milk Source | Organic pasture-raised cows |
| Number of Ingredients | Seven |
| Additives | No antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, or GMOs |
| Rennet | Microbial-based and vegetarian |
| Color | Yellow or white |
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What You'll Learn
Organic American cheese ingredients
Organic American cheese is made from a variety of ingredients, depending on the brand. However, there are some common ingredients used across different brands. Here is a detailed list of ingredients that are commonly found in Organic American cheese:
Organic Cultured Milk
This is a key ingredient in organic American cheese. It provides the cheese with its characteristic flavour and texture. Cultured milk is produced by adding specific bacteria cultures to milk, which helps to transform it into cheese.
Water
Water is added to the cheese mixture to help control the moisture content and influence the final texture of the cheese.
Organic Butter
Organic butter is made from organic pasteurized sweet cream and salt. It adds richness and flavour to the cheese, enhancing its melting qualities.
Sodium Citrate
Sodium citrate is a salt derived from citric acid. It is added as an emulsifier to stabilize the cheese and improve its melting properties, giving it that characteristic gooey texture.
Salt
Salt is added for flavour enhancement and as a preservative. It also influences the texture and melting point of the cheese.
Organic Annatto (for colour)
Annatto is a natural colouring agent extracted from the seeds of the achiote shrub. It gives the cheese its distinctive yellow or orange hue. Annatto is often added to the milk to ensure uniform colouring throughout the cheese.
Vegetarian Enzymes
These enzymes, produced by microorganisms like Rhizomucor miehei, help in the cheese-making process. They act as coagulants, aiding in the transformation of milk into cheese.
It is important to note that different brands may have slightly different ingredient lists, and some may include additional ingredients for specific flavours or qualities. Some brands also use vegetable rennet, which contributes to the cheese's vegetarian-friendly status.
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Organic American cheese brands
American cheese was originally made with Swiss cheese heated with sodium citrate. However, several brands now offer organic American cheese, which is made with milk from organic pasture-raised cows and free from antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, and GMOs.
One of the most popular organic American cheese brands is Organic Valley. The farmer-owned cooperative has been offering USDA-certified organic dairy products for over 30 years. Their American cheese is made with a microbial-based vegetarian rennet, which means it is completely vegetarian-friendly.
Applegate Organics is another well-known brand that has been a leader in the organic meat and cheese industry for over 30 years. Their American cheese is made without food colouring, resulting in a lighter colour. It also has a smoother texture and a subtle, slightly complex flavour that becomes more creamy and tangy when eaten at room temperature.
Horizon Organics is another brand that offers an organic alternative to conventionally produced processed cheese. Their American cheese singles have a richer and less synthetic taste than other brands, but some may prefer a more milk-forward flavour profile.
Other organic American cheese brands include Crystal Farms, which has a lengthy ingredient list, and Kraft, which is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches.
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Organic American cheese colour
Organic American cheese is typically yellow in colour. This is achieved using organic annatto, a natural food colouring derived from the annatto shrub's red pulp. The pulp is added to the milk during production to ensure a uniform colour throughout the cheese.
Annatto is a common ingredient in food colouring, often used in cheese, butter, confectionery, and fish. It is favoured for its vibrant, orange-red hue. The use of annatto in Organic Valley's American cheese, for example, results in a yellow colour.
Not all organic American cheeses are yellow, however. Applegate Organics' American cheese, for instance, is made without food colouring, resulting in a lighter colour.
The colour of organic American cheese is not an indicator of quality or taste. While some may prefer the vibrant, yellow hue associated with American cheese, others may opt for the more natural, lighter-coloured variety. Ultimately, the choice between coloured and uncoloured organic American cheese is a matter of personal preference.
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Organic American cheese slices
The process of making organic American cheese slices involves the use of microbial-based, vegetarian rennet produced from Rhizomucor miehei. The two main milk ingredients are cheddar and butter, both of which are made from non-homogenized milk. Organic annatto, a natural colouring derived from the annatto shrub fruit, is added to the milk to give the cheese a uniform yellow colour.
The other ingredients in organic American cheese slices include organic cultured milk, water, organic butter (made from organic pasteurized sweet cream and salt), sodium citrate, salt, and vegetarian enzymes. The use of vegetarian enzymes ensures that the cheese is suitable for both vegetarians and meat-eaters.
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Organic American cheese history
The story of American cheese began in Switzerland in 1911 when Swiss scientist Walter Gerber invented processed cheese. Shortly after, American entrepreneur James L. Kraft grabbed the American patent for the processing method. Kraft altered the original recipe by swapping Swiss cheese for cheddar cheese, creating the now-iconic processed dairy product. In the 1950s, Kraft released the first commercially available sliced "American" cheese singles, which were criticised as "embalmed cheese" and "second-rate". However, the product's convenience and affordability won over consumers, and it soon became a staple in American households.
Over time, the trend of prioritising quantity and ease over quality and taste in food choices continued in America, and processed cheese became known as "American cheese". This variety of cheese is neither truly American nor technically cheese due to its high proportion of additives. In fact, according to the FDA, products containing more than 51% additional ingredients cannot be labelled as "cheese". Despite this, American cheese has become an integral part of American cuisine, featuring in classic dishes such as grilled cheese sandwiches and cheeseburgers.
As consumer awareness of the importance of food quality grew, the demand for healthier and more wholesome alternatives to highly processed food products increased. This shift likely contributed to the emergence of organic American cheese options. Organic Valley, a farmer-owned cooperative with over 1,600 family dairy farmers, has been offering USDA-certified organic dairy products for over 30 years. Their American cheese, made with pasture-raised organic dairy and free of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, and GMOs, is a popular choice for those seeking a more natural option.
Other brands, such as Horizon Organics and Applegate Organics, have also ventured into the organic American cheese market. Horizon Organics, the first organic milk brand sold across America, offers American cheese singles made with milk from pasture-raised cows on an organic, non-GMO diet. Applegate Organics' American cheese slices stand out for their lighter colour, achieved without the use of food colouring, and their subtle flavour with a slightly complex note when eaten at room temperature.
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Frequently asked questions
Organic American cheese is made from organic cultured milk, water, organic butter (organic pasteurized sweet cream and salt), sodium citrate, salt, organic annatto (for colour) and vegetarian enzymes.
Organic American cheese is made with milk from pasture-raised cows that are not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones. The cows graze outside in the fresh air for 120 days or more each year and eat an organic, non-GMO diet. Organic American cheese also does not contain animal rennet, making it vegetarian-friendly.
Organic Valley® is a popular brand of organic American cheese. It is a farmer-owned cooperative that has offered USDA-certified organic dairy products for over 30 years. Horizon Organics and Applegate Organics are other brands that offer organic American cheese.
