Frederic Melton
American cheese is a mild, creamy, processed cheese that is widely used in the US. It is known for its superior meltability, making it a popular choice for burgers, grilled cheese, sandwiches, dips, sauces, and more. The cheese comes in a variety of shapes and forms, including individually wrapped slices, small pre-sliced blocks, or sliced off a block at a deli counter. It is typically yellow or white in colour, with the yellow variety seasoned and coloured using annatto, a dye extracted from the seeds of the Achiote tree.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Soft, creamy, mild, medium-firm |
| Taste | Salty |
| Colour | Yellow, white, neon orange, creamy white |
| Melting Point | Low |
| Ingredients | Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, milk, dairy fats, solids, emulsifying agents, whey protein concentrates, sodium citrate, annatto, beta-carotene |
| Forms | Slices, blocks, grated |
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What You'll Learn
American cheese is processed
American cheese is a processed cheese product, often sold in slices or blocks. It is made from a blend of cheeses, typically including cheddar, Colby, or Swiss, and additional ingredients to modify its texture and flavour. The process of making American cheese involves melting chunks of these cheeses with a liquid and an emulsifying agent, such as sodium citrate or sodium phosphate, to create a homogeneous mixture. This mixture is then moulded into bricks or slices and packaged. The emulsifying agents in American cheese give it its characteristic meltability, allowing it to smoothly melt without becoming greasy or clumpy. This unique property sets it apart from other cheeses and makes it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, and various recipes where a smooth, silky cheese sauce is desired.
The processed nature of American cheese also extends to its colour. While actual processed American cheese is naturally white, food colouring is often added to give it a yellow or orange hue. This colouring is typically annatto, a dye extracted from the seeds of the Achiote tree, although more modern options are beta-carotene-based. The addition of colouring contributes to the distinct appearance of American cheese.
The term "American cheese" specifically refers to this processed variety, which was first introduced in the 1910s by James L. Kraft, the founder of Kraft Foods Inc. Through his innovative manufacturing process, Kraft created a cheese product that was soft, sliceable, rindless, and had a longer shelf life. This processed cheese became widely known as "American cheese" and was mass-marketed as "Kraft Singles." The name "American cheese" became so prevalent that it replaced the traditional term "cheddar" used in the US for this type of cheese.
Despite its name, American cheese is not recognised as "cheese" in the United States. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is considered "pasteurized process cheese food." This distinction is made because American cheese is not 100% cheese and contains other ingredients that modify its texture and flavour. However, it is important to note that all cheese undergoes some form of processing, as it is a man-made product that does not exist naturally.
In conclusion, American cheese is a processed cheese product known for its meltability and iconic status in American cuisine. Its processing involves blending various cheeses and adding ingredients to enhance texture and flavour, resulting in a product that is distinct from traditional cheeses in both taste and appearance. The term "American cheese" specifically refers to this processed variety, which has become a staple in the American food landscape.
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It comes in slices or blocks
American cheese is a processed cheese made from a blend of cheeses and other flavour- and texture-enhancing ingredients. It is mild, creamy, and salty, with a medium-firm consistency and a low melting point. It is typically yellow or white in colour.
American cheese is commonly sold in slices or blocks. The slices are often individually wrapped and can be purchased pre-sliced or sliced off a block at a deli counter. These slices are commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches, as they melt smoothly without becoming greasy. American cheese is also used in breakfast foods, such as omelettes, scrambled eggs, and breakfast sandwiches.
The blocks of American cheese are soft, sliceable, and rindless. They were first developed in the 1910s by James L. Kraft, the founder of Kraft Foods Inc., as a way of extending the shelf life of cheese and avoiding food waste. These blocks can be stored for a few months without drying out and are easy to portion.
American cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, dips, sauces, baked pasta dishes, and stuffed breads. Its superior meltability and creamy texture make it a popular choice for adding cheese to a variety of dishes.
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It's made from a blend of cheeses
American cheese is a processed cheese made from a blend of cheeses and other ingredients. It is known for its superior meltability, mild flavour, and creamy texture. The exact ingredients and processes used to make American cheese will differ between manufacturers, but the blend typically includes cheeses such as cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, along with a liquid and an emulsifying agent. The liquid mixture is then molded into bricks or slices and packaged.
The addition of an emulsifying agent, such as sodium citrate or sodium phosphate, is what gives American cheese its iconic meltability. This agent grips the fat, protein, and moisture in the cheese, keeping them in a smooth, fluid emulsion even as the cheese melts, preventing it from becoming greasy or clumpy. This is in contrast to cheeses like cheddar, which do not contain emulsifying agents and tend to separate when melted.
The colour of American cheese can vary, with both white and yellow varieties available. White American cheese does not contain any colouring additives, while yellow American cheese is coloured with annatto, a dye extracted from the seeds of the Achiote tree. Today, there are also beta-carotene-based colouring options.
American cheese was first invented in the 1910s by James L. Kraft, the founder of Kraft Foods Inc., who obtained a patent for his manufacturing process in 1916. Kraft's American cheese was originally made with provolone but has since been produced with a blend of cheeses. The term "American cheese" rapidly replaced the term "cheddar" to refer to the processed variety of this traditional cheese, which was also being produced and sold in the United States.
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It's mild, creamy, and salty
American cheese is a mild, creamy, and salty processed cheese. It is made from a blend of cheeses, such as cheddar, Colby, or Swiss, and other flavour- and texture-enhancing ingredients. It is known for its superior meltability, making it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, breakfast sandwiches, dips, sauces, and more.
The mild, creamy, and salty characteristics of American cheese can be attributed to the blend of cheeses used in its production, as well as the addition of emulsifying agents and other ingredients. The exact blend of cheeses and ingredients can vary, but typically includes milk, dairy fats, solids, emulsifying agents (such as sodium citrate) and whey protein concentrates. This combination of ingredients creates a cheese with a soft, creamy texture that melts smoothly without becoming greasy.
The mild flavour of American cheese is a result of the blend of cheeses used, as well as the absence of strong, sharp flavours that are found in some other cheeses. The creaminess of the cheese is enhanced by the emulsifying agents, which create a smooth, fluid emulsion that prevents the cheese from becoming greasy or clumpy when melted. The salty flavour is due in part to the addition of salt during the cheese-making process.
The processing and blending of cheeses also contribute to the mild, creamy, and salty profile of American cheese. By blending different cheeses and adding emulsifying agents, the sharp, tangy flavours of some individual cheeses are softened, resulting in a milder, more uniform flavour. The processing methods, such as pasteurization and the addition of preservatives, also contribute to the extended shelf life of American cheese, making it a convenient and accessible option for consumers.
American cheese is often sold in individually wrapped slices, small pre-sliced blocks, or sliced off larger blocks at a deli counter. It is a versatile and convenient option for a variety of dishes, particularly those that require melted cheese, due to its mild, creamy, and salty characteristics.
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It's yellow or white in colour
American cheese is a type of processed cheese that comes in both white and yellow varieties. The yellow variety is achieved by adding colouring additives, such as annatto, a dye extracted from the seeds of the Achiote tree. Today, there are also beta-carotene-based colouring options. The white variety, on the other hand, does not contain any added colouring agents.
The colour of American cheese is not just a matter of aesthetics but also has practical implications. The yellow variety is often associated with a stronger flavour, while the white variety is known for its mild taste. In terms of usage, the yellow variety is commonly used in burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and breakfast sandwiches, where its bright colour adds to the visual appeal of the dish. The white variety, meanwhile, is often used in Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwiches and can be grated and combined with other cheeses like Havarti and cheddar to create a creamy sauce for macaroni.
The process of making American cheese was invented in the 1910s by James L. Kraft, the founder of Kraft Foods Inc. He obtained a patent for his manufacturing process in 1916 and began marketing his product as "American cheese". The term "American cheese" quickly became associated with this processed variety, which was more affordable than traditional cheddars also produced and sold in the United States.
The colour of American cheese is just one aspect of its unique characteristics. It is also known for its creamy texture, salty flavour, and most notably, its superior meltability. This meltability is due to the presence of emulsifying agents, such as sodium citrate, which prevent the cheese from separating and create a smooth, fluid emulsion even when melted.
In conclusion, the yellow or white colour of American cheese is not just a matter of visual appeal but also has implications for flavour and usage. The yellow variety is often associated with a stronger flavour and is commonly used in dishes like burgers and sandwiches, while the white variety is milder and used in different types of dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
American cheese can be white or yellow. The yellow variety is seasoned and coloured with annatto, a dye extracted from the seeds of the Achiote tree.
American cheese is a processed cheese made from a blend of cheeses and other flavour- and texture-enhancing ingredients.
American cheese is made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses, in conjunction with sodium citrate, which permits the cheese to be pasteurized without its components separating.
American cheese is mild with a creamy texture and salty flavour, and has a medium-firm consistency.
American cheese is beloved for its superior meltability, making it a go-to choice for burgers, grilled cheese, breakfast sandwiches, dips, sauces, baked pasta dishes and stuffed breads.
