Randy Chandler
Sliced American cheese is a type of processed cheese made by combining cheeses like cheddar and Colby and adding other ingredients to help it melt smoothly. It is typically yellow or white in colour, with yellow American cheese seasoned and coloured with annatto. It is usually sold in individual slices and is a popular cheese for burgers and sandwiches. It is also a favourite for grilled cheese sandwiches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Creamy, smooth, mild, semi-soft, gooey, glistening, thin, artificial |
| Taste | Salty, mild, sharp, slightly artificial |
| Colour | Yellow, orange, white |
| Shape | Sliced, block |
| Use | Grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese, omelets, scrambled eggs, breakfast sandwiches |
| Brands | Kraft, Organic Valley, Trader Joe's, Boar's Head, Land O Lakes, The Fresh Market, Applegate Organics, PICS, Deli Deluxe |
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What You'll Learn
- Sliced American cheese is usually light orange or yellow in colour
- It's often sold in individual slices and is popular for burgers and sandwiches
- It's a processed cheese made from a combination of cheeses like cheddar and Colby
- It's mild, semi-soft, and has a low melting point
- It's sometimes criticised for being full of chemicals and not real cheese
Sliced American cheese is usually light orange or yellow in colour
American cheese is known for its smooth melting ability, which comes from the fact that it contains emulsifiers to help prevent the milk proteins from separating from the milk fat when it's heated. It is also used in breakfast foods, such as omelettes, scrambled eggs, and breakfast sandwiches that involve eggs, bacon, and bread. It is commonly used in macaroni and cheese.
American cheese has a mild flavour and aroma, and a semi-soft, creamy texture. It is also known for being full of chemicals and not real cheese. However, some people crave the oozing, melty texture that only American cheese can provide.
Some brands of American cheese include Kraft, Boar's Head, Land O'Lakes, and Trader Joe's.
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It's often sold in individual slices and is popular for burgers and sandwiches
American cheese is often sold in individual slices and is a popular choice for burgers and sandwiches. It is a processed cheese, typically made from a combination of cheddar and Colby cheese, along with other ingredients like sodium citrate and emulsifying agents. This combination of cheeses and additives gives American cheese its characteristic melting ability, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, and other melted cheese applications.
The individual slices of American cheese are usually thin and rectangular, with a smooth, slightly artificial appearance. They are often wrapped in plastic or placed in a stack and packaged for retail sale. Some brands, like Kraft, offer individually wrapped slices, while others provide slices stacked in a package. The slices are designed to be easily separated, with paper between each slice in some cases, making it convenient for consumers to use as needed.
The colour of American cheese slices can vary, with yellow and white being the most common options. Yellow American cheese is typically seasoned and coloured with annatto, giving it a bright orange or light orange appearance. White American cheese, on the other hand, tends to have a shockingly white colour and may be preferred by those seeking a more natural-looking cheese.
The taste of American cheese is generally described as mild, with a salty flavour and a creamy texture. It is known for its smooth melt and drape, making it a popular choice for dishes where melted cheese is desired. However, some varieties of American cheese, particularly those with fewer additives, may take longer to melt and may not have the same level of drape.
American cheese slices are a versatile and convenient option for consumers, whether used in grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, or simply as a snack. While some may have concerns about the additives and processing involved in their production, they remain a popular choice due to their melting abilities and mild flavour.
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It's a processed cheese made from a combination of cheeses like cheddar and Colby
Sliced American cheese is typically yellow or white in colour, with a medium-firm consistency and a mild, salty flavour. It is a processed cheese, often made from a combination of cheeses, including cheddar and Colby, along with other ingredients like sodium citrate, which allows the cheese to be pasteurized without its components separating.
The term "American cheese" refers to the processed variety, which was first manufactured in the 1910s by James L. Kraft, founder of Kraft Foods Inc. The traditional process of making cheddar and Colby cheese involves grinding the cheese, combining it with emulsifying agents and other ingredients, and then heating it until it forms a homogeneous, melted mixture. Sodium citrate is added to prevent the cheese fats from separating during pasteurization.
Colby cheese, also known as Colby Swiss cheddar, is a semi-hard American cheese made from cow's milk. It was developed in 1874 or 1885 in Colby, Wisconsin, by Joseph Steinwand. Colby cheese is similar in colour to cheddar but has a softer, milder, and creamier texture with a more open texture. It is often used in snacks, sandwiches, and salads, and its gentle flavour and texture make it a popular choice for grilled sandwiches, hamburgers, and fajitas.
American cheese made with a combination of cheddar and Colby cheeses will take on the characteristics of both. It will have a milder flavour than traditional cheddar, with a softer and creamier texture, while still retaining the meltability that American cheese is known for. The resulting cheese will be a processed cheese with a homogeneous texture, ideal for sandwiches, grilled cheese, and other melted cheese applications.
While some people enjoy the convenience and texture of processed American cheese, others prefer traditional, natural cheeses. Some sources express concern over the long list of ingredients in processed American cheese, which may include additives, preservatives, and colouring agents. However, it's important to note that just because something sounds like a chemical doesn't necessarily mean it's harmful.
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It's mild, semi-soft, and has a low melting point
American cheese is a processed cheese typically made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses, along with other ingredients like sodium citrate and emulsifying agents. It is known for its mild flavour, semi-soft texture, and low melting point, making it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, and other melted cheese applications.
The mild flavour of American cheese is attributed to its processing, which combines cheeses with other ingredients to create a consistent product. This processing also gives it a semi-soft texture, making it easy to melt and ideal for dishes like grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers. The low melting point of American cheese is due to the addition of emulsifying agents, which prevent the cheese from separating when melted.
The mild, semi-soft, and low-melting-point characteristics of American cheese make it a versatile ingredient. It can be used in a variety of dishes, from classic comfort foods like grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers to breakfast foods like omelettes, scrambled eggs, and breakfast sandwiches. Its mild flavour and melting ability make it a good choice for those who want the creaminess of cheese without an overpowering taste.
While some may perceive American cheese as plastic or not real cheese due to its processed nature and long list of ingredients, it has a dedicated following for its unique characteristics. Its mild flavour and semi-soft texture make it a popular choice for those who want a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth experience without the sharpness or complexity of more aged or assertive cheeses.
In summary, American cheese's mild flavour, semi-soft texture, and low melting point make it a versatile and popular choice for a variety of dishes. Its processing and ingredients give it a unique set of characteristics that set it apart from other cheeses, attracting those who crave its distinct texture and taste.
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It's sometimes criticised for being full of chemicals and not real cheese
American cheese is a type of processed cheese made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses, in conjunction with sodium citrate, which permits the cheese to be pasteurized without its components separating. It is mild with a creamy texture and salty flavour, has a medium-firm consistency, and has a low melting point. It is typically yellow or white in colour.
American cheese is sometimes criticised for being full of chemicals and not real cheese. This criticism is due to the cheese's manufacturing process, which involves grinding traditional cheese, combining it with emulsifying agents and other ingredients, and heating it until it forms a melted homogeneous mixture. Sodium citrate is added to prevent the cheese fats from separating during pasteurization. The resulting processed cheese has a different texture and taste from traditional cheese, and some people may consider it inferior or not real cheese.
However, it is important to note that the term "chemical" can be misleading, as even organic carrots contain chemicals like dihydrogen monoxide, which is also found in acid rain. Understanding the ingredients and their purposes can help dispel some of the fears associated with American cheese. For example, sodium citrate, an important additive in American cheese, also naturally occurs in fruits and vegetables and is commonly used as a food preservative.
The criticism of American cheese as not being real cheese may also be due to its mass production and association with plastic-wrapped slices. People often associate American cheese with the prepackaged slices found in the dairy aisle, which may be perceived as less authentic or of lower quality compared to artisanal or specialty cheeses. However, American cheese is widely used in dishes such as cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese due to its meltability and goo factor.
Additionally, the perception of American cheese as not being real cheese may be influenced by cultural and regional differences. For example, the cheese journalist and senior World Cheese Awards judge Patrick McGuigan acknowledges that there is a misconception about American cheese in the UK. Similarly, author Patricia Michelson suggests that the negative perception of American cheese in countries like France, Italy, and Germany may be due to a lack of promotion and accessibility of American farmhouse and artisan cheeses outside of the US.
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Frequently asked questions
Sliced American cheese is usually light orange or yellow in colour, but it can also be white. It is often thin and square-shaped, and it has a smooth, plastic-like texture.
American cheese is a processed cheese made by combining and melting large chunks of cheese, such as cheddar or Colby, with other ingredients like milk, cream, salt, colourings, and spices.
American cheese has a mild, creamy, and salty flavour, and it is known for its smooth, gooey texture and excellent melting ability.
