Randy Chandler
Imitation cheese, also known as fake cheese, is a culinary replacement for traditional cheese. It is usually made by blending fats or proteins and is used in convenience foods. Imitation cheese is designed to have a lower cholesterol content or different melting points, making it attractive to businesses. The production of imitation cheese involves replacing the dairy fat required for traditional cheese with cheaper vegetable oil, additives, and emulsifying starch. The objective of producing imitation cheese is to create a product that is quicker and cheaper to produce, with desirable melting properties and texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Culinary replacement for cheese |
| Use cases | Salads, pizza, grilled cheese, cheeseburgers, Korean dishes |
| Composition | Blending fats, proteins, vegetable oil, additives, emulsifying starch, emulsifiers, casin |
| Types | Vegan cheese, dairy-containing products that do not qualify as traditional cheese, processed cheese |
| Target audience | Vegans, lactose intolerant, people avoiding cholesterol |
| Examples | Fake brie, fake manchego, fake gouda, fake parmesan, American cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Imitation cheese is used in shop displays and movie props
Imitation cheese is often used in shop displays to deter theft. According to a study by the Center for Retail Research, cheese is the most commonly stolen item from stores. About 4% of cheese is reported missing from food shelves.
Imitation cheese is also used as a movie prop. This is because real cheese can be difficult to work with on set. For example, some cheeses are hard to melt, while others melt too easily. Some cheeses also have a strong smell that may be unpleasant for actors and crew members.
Imitation cheese can be made from a variety of ingredients, including vegetable oil, emulsifiers, and casin. It is designed to mimic the look and texture of real cheese, but it may not have the same flavour. For this reason, imitation cheese is often used in place of real cheese in convenience foods, such as pizza and salad bars. These products may have lower cholesterol or different melting points that make them more attractive to businesses and consumers.
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It is used as a replacement for those who are lactose intolerant
Imitation cheese is often used as a replacement for those who are lactose intolerant. It is designed to mimic the taste and texture of regular cheese, without containing any lactose. Lactose intolerance is a common condition where the body is unable to properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. For those with this condition, consuming lactose can lead to unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhoea.
Vegan cheese, a type of imitation cheese, is made from plant-based sources such as soybeans, rice, almonds, and nutritional yeast. It provides a cheese-like experience without the use of any animal products, making it suitable for those who are lactose intolerant. These vegan alternatives have gained popularity among those seeking a more ethical and environmentally friendly option, as well as those with dietary restrictions.
Another type of imitation cheese is processed cheese, which is designed to melt well and provide a chewy texture. This type of cheese is often used in dishes like pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches. Processed cheese replaces the dairy fat typically found in cheese with vegetable oil and additives, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
Imitation cheese offers those who are lactose intolerant the opportunity to enjoy cheese-like flavours and textures without experiencing any negative symptoms. It is important to note that while imitation cheese provides a solution for lactose intolerance, it may differ in nutritional content and taste compared to traditional cheese.
In summary, imitation cheese serves as a valuable alternative for individuals with lactose intolerance, allowing them to consume cheese-like products without the associated digestive issues. These alternatives cater to a range of dietary preferences and restrictions, ensuring that those with lactose intolerance can still enjoy their favourite cheesy dishes.
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It is used in commercially produced pizzas
Imitation cheese is used in a variety of culinary contexts, including commercially produced pizzas. In the pizza-making industry, cheese alternatives are often used as substitutes for traditional cheese. These alternatives may be vegan cheeses or other dairy-containing products that do not qualify as cheese, such as processed cheese.
Commercially produced pizzas often utilise imitation cheese, also known as "analogue pizza cheese". This type of cheese is designed to melt well on pizza while retaining a chewy texture. It is made with cheaper vegetable oil and additives instead of dairy fat, and it can be produced using basic cheese-making equipment without the need for additional processes or equipment required for mozzarella. The soft texture of analogue pizza cheese melts easily, resulting in a slightly stringy quality when pulled or bitten into.
The use of imitation cheese on pizzas offers several advantages to commercial pizza producers. Firstly, it is much quicker and more cost-effective to produce than traditional cheese. Secondly, it provides a melting point and chewy texture that is desirable for pizza toppings. Additionally, imitation cheese alternatives may offer benefits such as lower cholesterol content, making them attractive to businesses catering to health-conscious consumers.
While some may prefer the taste and texture of traditional cheese on their pizzas, imitation cheese serves as a functional and economical alternative for commercial pizza production. Its ability to melt smoothly and provide a chewy texture enhances the overall sensory experience of consuming pizza, making it a popular choice for mass-produced pizzas.
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It is used in grilled cheese sandwiches
Imitation cheese is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, a classic American dish. Grilled cheese sandwiches are made with sliced cheese, bread, and butter. The bread is buttered on one side and placed butter-side down in a hot skillet. The cheese is then added, followed by another slice of bread (butter-side up). The sandwich is cooked until the bottom slice is lightly browned, then flipped and cooked until the cheese is melted.
The type of cheese used in grilled cheese sandwiches can vary. Some recipes call for cheddar, while others suggest using processed cheese slices, such as American cheese, which is known for its melting properties. These processed cheese slices are a type of imitation cheese, designed to melt well and produce the desired cheese pull when grilled. They are often made with cheaper vegetable oils and additives, which give them their soft texture and stringy quality when melted.
Other types of cheese that can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches include Colby Jack, Italian five-cheese, smoked gouda, gouda, Gruyere, Muenster, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack. Some people also add bacon, ground black pepper, or other ingredients to create different flavours.
The type of bread used can also vary. While plain white sandwich bread is traditional, other options such as sourdough, brioche, ciabatta, and Texas toast can also be used. It is important to choose a bread that is sturdy enough to handle the heat and not fall apart. The bread should be thick enough to allow the cheese to melt properly, but not so thick that it interferes with the melting process.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are often served with a side of tomato-based soup, such as tomato basil soup or tomato cream soup. They can also be dipped in ketchup or served with other sides and entrees.
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It is used in Korean dishes
Imitation cheese is used in various dishes across the world, including Korean cuisine. Korean dishes often feature cheese as an extra topping, and there are many different kinds of Korean dishes that combine well with cheese. For example, Dalkgalbi (Chicken Galbi) is a spicy chicken stir-fried dish with cabbage, rice cakes, and sweet potatoes. Cheese is added as an extra topping to this dish. Similarly, Ddeokboggi and Tonkatsu also include cheese as an optional extra topping.
One notable Korean dish that incorporates imitation cheese is Korean Corn Cheese. This dish is made with sweet corn, butter, mayonnaise, sugar, black pepper, and imitation crab meat, all simmered in a buttery, cheesy sauce. The cooking process is quick, taking only about 10 minutes on the stove. The key to success is to evaporate any liquids in the pan before adding the shredded cheese to prevent dilution. The dish is best enjoyed fresh and can be served with steamed rice and grilled BBQ meat.
Another example of a Korean dish that uses imitation cheese is Grilled Octopus with Cheese Fondue (Jjukkumi Chi-zupongdu). Jjukkumi is a type of octopus that is stir-fried and then grilled. The dish is served with a cheese fondue, creating a unique combination of flavours and textures.
In addition to these savoury dishes, cheese is also incorporated into Korean desserts and snacks. For instance, Cheese Kimchi Jeon, or pancakes, are a popular treat. These pancakes are made with kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish of fermented vegetables, and melted cheese, resulting in a delicious and savoury snack.
Overall, imitation cheese plays a versatile role in Korean cuisine, adding flavour and texture to both savoury dishes and desserts. Its ability to melt and stretch makes it a perfect topping or ingredient in various Korean recipes, enhancing their taste and visual appeal.
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Frequently asked questions
Imitation cheese is a product used as a culinary replacement for cheese. It is usually made by blending other fats or proteins and is used in convenience foods.
Imitation cheese is made from starch, protein, fat, oil, emulsifiers, and casin.
Imitation cheese is often used in convenience foods, such as pizza, grilled cheese, and burgers. It is also used as a replacement for cheese in salad bars and pizza-making, where it may have lower cholesterol or different melting points.
To make imitation cheese melt, you can add sodium citrate and a little water.
The process of making imitation cheese involves replacing the dairy fat required for cheese with cheaper vegetable oil and additives.
