Frederic Melton
Cheddar and American cheese are often compared due to their similar colour and appearance, but they are very different. Cheddar is a hard, sharp-tasting English cheese with a more complex flavour profile, while American cheese is a smooth and creamy processed cheese with a milder taste. Cheddar is made from pressed and salted curds from 100% cow's milk, while American cheese is made by melting down chunks of cheeses such as cheddar, Colby, and/or Swiss with a liquid and an emulsifying agent.
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What You'll Learn
- American cheese is a blend of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, Swiss, and Jack
- Cheddar is a natural cheese, while American cheese is processed
- Cheddar is harder and sharper-tasting than American cheese
- American cheese has a higher fat content, while cheddar has more protein and calcium
- Cheddar has a broader selection of varieties and aging options
American cheese is a blend of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, Swiss, and Jack
American cheese and cheddar cheese are two distinct varieties of cheese with different characteristics. While cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting English cheese with a rich, complex flavour, American cheese is described as smooth and creamy processed cheese with a mild flavour. It is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, macaroni, and cheese dips.
American cheese is a blend of several cheeses, including but not limited to cheddar, Colby, Swiss, and Jack. It may also include Grana cheese. The blend of different cheeses gives American cheese its well-rounded flavour profile. The process of making American cheese involves melting chunks of these cheeses with a liquid and an emulsifying agent, such as sodium citrate, and then moulding the mixture into bricks or slices.
Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is a natural cheese made from pressed and salted curds from 100% cow's milk (raw or pasteurized) that has been coagulated with rennet. It gets its distinct flavour from the aging process, which uses a buttermilk culture. The longer it ages, the sharper the flavour becomes. Cheddar cheese also has a unique texture achieved through the "cheddaring" process, which involves stacking and turning the curds during maturation.
In terms of nutrition, both cheeses are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. However, they differ in their nutritional profiles. Cheddar cheese is richer in protein and essential nutrients like calcium, making it a healthier option. It also has a lower sodium content compared to American cheese. American cheese, due to its processing, tends to have a higher fat content. It is also an excellent source of certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin E.
While American cheese is a blend of cheeses, including cheddar, it is important to note that it is not the same as cheddar cheese. American cheese has its unique characteristics, flavour, and texture that set it apart from cheddar. The blend of cheeses in American cheese results in a milder, creamier, and more processed product, making it a popular choice for those who prefer convenience and meltability.
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Cheddar is a natural cheese, while American cheese is processed
Cheddar cheese is a natural cheese, whereas American cheese is a processed cheese. Cheddar is a hard, sharp-tasting English cheese that originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, and has been produced there since at least the 12th century. Its natural colour ranges from white and pale yellow to dark orange, with some manufacturers colouring the cheese with a brighter yellow. The distinct flavour of cheddar comes from aging cheese that originally used a buttermilk culture, and the texture is achieved through the "cheddaring" process. The cheese is made with cow's milk, and after heating, the curd is kneaded with salt, cut into cubes to drain the whey, then stacked and turned. It is then matured at a constant temperature, for instance, in caves, for 3 to 18 months. The longer the cheddar is aged, the less moisture it has, and the more crumbly it becomes.
On the other hand, American cheese is a smooth and creamy processed cheese made from a blend of milk, milk fats, whey, whey proteins, food colouring, flavourings, emulsifiers, and salt. It is typically made by melting chunks of different types of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Jack, or even some Grana cheese, with a liquid and an emulsifying agent. The liquid mixture is then poured into moulds to solidify, creating the bricks or slices that are packaged and sold. American cheese was first made by British colonists in America and then exported back to England by the 1970s.
In terms of nutritional content, both cheeses are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Cheddar cheese is richer in protein and essential nutrients like calcium, making it a healthier option compared to American cheese. It also has a lower sodium content, with 137mg compared to 317mg in American cheese. However, American cheese contains higher levels of certain vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin E. American cheese is also preferred for its meltability and convenience, whereas cheddar is known for its rich, complex flavours.
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Cheddar is harder and sharper-tasting than American cheese
Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting English cheese with a more complex flavour profile than American cheese. It is made from pressed and salted curds from 100% cow's milk (raw or pasteurized) that has been coagulated with rennet. The natural colour of Cheddar ranges from pale yellow to off-white, with some manufacturers colouring the cheese with a brighter yellow. Cheddar gets its flavour from aging cheese that originally used a buttermilk culture. The "`cheddaring`" process also gives it a unique texture. As Cheddar ages, it has less moisture and becomes more crumbly, making it less spreadable.
American cheese, on the other hand, is a smooth and creamy processed cheese with a milder flavour. It is made by melting down chunks of cheeses such as cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Jack, or Grana with a liquid and an emulsifying agent. The liquid mixture is then poured into moulds to solidify and is packaged in bricks or slices. American cheese is known for its excellent melting properties due to the emulsifying agents used in its production. It is commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, macaroni, and cheese dips.
The higher fat content of American cheese contributes to its creamy texture and meltability. In comparison, Cheddar has a lower moisture content, especially with more aged varieties, resulting in a harder texture. The ageing process of Cheddar also affects its flavour, with older cheddars having a sharper taste.
The distinct textures and flavours of these cheeses can be attributed to their production processes and ingredients. American cheese, being processed, has a smoother and creamier texture, while Cheddar, a natural cheese, has a harder and sharper taste due to its ageing process and the use of cow's milk.
In summary, Cheddar cheese and American cheese differ significantly in terms of texture, flavour, and production methods. Cheddar is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese with a complex flavour profile achieved through the ageing process and the use of cow's milk. American cheese, being processed, has a smoother and creamier texture with a milder flavour that is enhanced by the addition of various cheeses and ingredients.
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American cheese has a higher fat content, while cheddar has more protein and calcium
American cheese and cheddar cheese are two very different varieties of cheese, with distinct nutritional profiles. While American cheese is a processed blend of several cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, cheddar is a natural cheese made from pressed and salted curds from 100% cow's milk.
American cheese is known for its mild, creamy flavour and excellent meltability, making it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers. On the other hand, cheddar cheese is beloved for its distinct texture and flavour, which is achieved through the "`cheddaring` process" and the use of a buttermilk culture during ageing.
One of the key differences in their nutritional profiles is that American cheese has a higher fat content. In particular, it is high in saturated fat, which has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the arteries. However, recent research suggests that saturated fat from dairy may have a neutral or even protective effect on heart health.
In contrast, cheddar cheese stands out for its higher protein and calcium content. With 7 grams of protein per ounce, cheddar is a great source of this essential macronutrient, which helps build muscle and perform various other functions in the body. Additionally, cheddar is rich in calcium, providing 200 mg (20% of the daily value) per ounce. Calcium is crucial for maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis, a condition characterised by weakened bones.
While American cheese may offer some nutritional benefits, such as high-quality protein and calcium, its high saturated fat and sodium content warrant consumption in moderation. On the other hand, cheddar cheese, with its higher protein and calcium content, can be a nutritious addition to a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderate amounts.
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Cheddar has a broader selection of varieties and aging options
Cheddar cheese offers a broader selection of varieties and ageing options, which means a wider range of flavour intensities and complexities. While American cheese is usually a smooth and creamy processed cheese, cheddar is a hard, sharp-tasting English cheese with a natural colour ranging from white to pale yellow to dark orange. The dark orange colour comes from annatto, a fruit-based colouring. The variety of colours and flavours in cheddar cheese is a result of the different ageing options available.
Cheddar cheese gets its flavour from ageing, using a buttermilk culture. The longer a cheddar cheese is aged, the less moisture it has and the more crumbly it becomes. Mild cheddar, which is aged for a shorter period, melts better and has a milder flavour. Extra sharp cheddar, on the other hand, is aged for longer, resulting in a stronger flavour and a crumblier texture. This variety of ageing options allows for different flavour intensities and complexities, making cheddar a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes.
In contrast, American cheese is typically made by blending different types of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Jack, and even some Grana cheese. It is then processed by melting the cheese chunks with a liquid and an emulsifying agent, such as sodium citrate, and pouring the mixture into moulds to solidify. This processing gives American cheese its signature smooth and creamy texture, as well as excellent melting properties. However, it also means that American cheese has a more limited range of flavours and textures compared to cheddar.
The ageing process of cheddar cheese not only affects its flavour and texture but also its nutritional content. As cheddar ages, it loses moisture and becomes more crumbly, but it also develops a richer flavour and a higher concentration of nutrients. This is why aged cheddar, or extra sharp cheddar, is often recommended as a healthier option compared to American cheese. Aged cheddar has a higher protein content and contains more essential nutrients like calcium, making it a nutritious and delicious addition to any cheese platter, sandwich, or fruit plate.
In summary, cheddar cheese offers a broader selection of varieties and ageing options, resulting in a diverse range of flavours, textures, and nutritional profiles. This versatility makes cheddar a popular and versatile cheese, suitable for a wide range of culinary applications and dietary preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
No, American cheese is made by blending different types of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Jack, and even some Grana cheese. Cheddar, on the other hand, is a hard, sharp-tasting English cheese made from pressed and salted curds from 100% cow's milk.
American cheese is a smooth and creamy processed cheese product made from a blend of milk, milk fats, and solids, with other fats and whey protein concentrates. It is known for its excellent melting properties.
Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting English cheese with a natural color ranging from pale yellow to off-white. It is made from 100% cow's milk and has a unique texture achieved through the "cheddaring" process, which involves stacking cheese curds to remove excess moisture and create a unique flavour and texture.
American cheese tends to have a higher fat content and is more processed. Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, provides a better nutritional profile with more protein and essential nutrients like calcium, making it a healthier option. However, American cheese contains higher levels of certain vitamins like Vitamin B12 and Vitamin E.
American cheese has a milder taste compared to the sharper flavour of cheddar cheese. They are similar in colour and appearance, with both cheeses ranging from pale yellow to off-white.
