Frederic Melton
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a brand of cream cheese that was first produced in 1872 and is currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International. Despite its name, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York State, not Philadelphia. The cheese was made by William Lawrence, a dairyman from Chester, New York, who accidentally added an excessive amount of cream when attempting to make Neufchâtel, creating a richer, more spreadable cheese. The name Philadelphia was added in 1880, possibly to make the product seem more exotic to its mainly New York audience. Philadelphia Cream Cheese is made with milk and real cream and is known for its distinct fresh and creamy taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Milk, Real Cream |
| Other Ingredients | Salt, Stabiliser (Guar Gum), Acid (Citric Acid) |
| Type of Cheese | Pasteurised, Unaged Dairy Product |
| Minimum Milk Fat Content | 33% |
| Maximum Moisture Content | 55% |
| pH | 4.4 - 4.9 |
| Place of Origin | New York State |
| Creator | William Lawrence, a dairyman from Chester, New York |
| Year of Origin | 1872 |
| Current Owner | Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International |
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What You'll Learn
Philadelphia cheese ingredients
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a brand of cream cheese that was first produced in 1872 and is currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International. Despite its name, it was invented in New York State, not Philadelphia. It is made with milk and real cream, and has a distinct fresh and creamy taste that makes it a delicious soft cheese. It is suitable for vegetarians and is available in a range of flavours.
The history of Philadelphia Cream Cheese began with William Lawrence, a dairyman from Chester, New York. In 1872, he attempted to make Neufchâtel, a tangy, crumblier cheese that was popular in Europe at the time. However, he accidentally added an excessive amount of cream and created a richer, more spreadable cheese. This new cheese would eventually be called "cream cheese". By 1880, Lawrence had partnered with another dairy producer and a distributor, who is credited with naming it Philadelphia Cream Cheese. The cheese was neither made nor distributed in Philadelphia, and the reasons behind the name remain a mystery. One theory suggests that it may have been to make the product more exotic to its mainly New York audience.
Philadelphia Cream Cheese did not become associated with the city of its namesake until later. In the 1870s and onwards, Philadelphia was well-known for its butter, cream, and other dairy products. Cities like Washington DC, Baltimore, and Atlantic City sought after Philadelphia-made dairy products for their grocery stores. The most popular butter during this time was "Sharpless Gilt-Edge Butter" or "Sharpless Philadelphia Butter", produced by the Sharpless Creamery. In 1893, the creamery moved to Ward Village, Concord Township, PA, where they produced various dairy products, including cream cheese.
While the origins of Philadelphia Cream Cheese lie in New York, the brand has since become synonymous with high-quality, creamy cheese products. It has remained a staple in households, eateries, and bagel shops worldwide, solidifying its place as the best-selling cream cheese brand globally.
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Philadelphia cheese history
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a brand of cream cheese that is one of the best-selling brands of cream cheese worldwide. The history of American cream cheese begins with what would become brand-name Philadelphia cream cheese, although it was invented in New York State, not Philadelphia.
In 1872, William Lawrence, a dairyman from Chester, New York, attempted to make Neufchâtel, a tangy, crumbly cheese that was popular in Europe at the time. Instead, he accidentally added an excessive amount of cream and created a richer, more spreadable cheese, which would eventually be called "cream cheese". It was not marketed as "Philadelphia Cream Cheese" until 1880. That year, Lawrence partnered with A.L. Reynolds, a cheese distributor in New York, to sell larger quantities of cream cheese. At the time, Philadelphia and its surrounding area had a reputation for high-quality dairy farms and creamier cheese products, so they decided to use the name "Philadelphia" on the foil-wrapped packages.
The company went through several changes over the years, and the trademarked Philadelphia name was sold to the Phenix Cheese Company in South Edmeston, New York. In 1928, Phenix merged with Kraft to form the Kraft-Phenix Cheese Company, and Philadelphia Cream Cheese has been owned by Kraft ever since.
While the origins of the name "Philadelphia" remain a mystery, some speculate that it may have been to make the product more exotic to its mainly New York audience, or to capitalize on Philadelphia's reputation for high-quality dairy products at the time. Interestingly, the P.E. Sharpless Company, based in Delaware County, also used the moniker "Philadelphia cream cheese" on its tinfoil-packaged cream cheese cakes, and their product was advertised in all the major newspapers of the time.
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How is Philadelphia cheese made?
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a brand of cream cheese that was first produced in 1872 and is currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International. Despite its name, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York State, not Philadelphia.
In 1872, William Lawrence, a dairyman from Chester, New York, attempted to make Neufchâtel, a tangy, crumbly cheese that was popular in Europe at the time. However, he accidentally added an excessive amount of cream, creating a richer, more spreadable cheese. This new cheese was eventually called "cream cheese". It was not marketed as "Philadelphia Cream Cheese" until 1880 when Lawrence partnered with A.L. Reynolds, a cheese distributor in New York, to sell larger quantities of the product.
At the time, Philadelphia and the surrounding area had a reputation for high-quality dairy farms and creamier cheese products, so they decided to use the name "Philadelphia" on the foil-wrapped packages. The cream cheese was originally made without specifying "Philadelphia" anywhere, and the reasons behind the eventual use of the name remain a mystery. One theory suggests that the name may have been chosen to make the product more exotic to its mainly New York audience.
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is made with milk and real cream, giving it a distinct fresh and creamy taste. It is a versatile product that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, such as cheesecakes and bagels. The term "cream cheese" is regulated by the U.S. FDA, referring to a pasteurized, unaged dairy product that contains at least 33% milk fat, with a moisture content of up to 55%, and a pH between 4.4 and 4.9. This pH factor contributes to the characteristic tang of cream cheese, resulting from the acidification that creates the curds used in its production.
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Philadelphia cheese's popularity
Philadelphia cream cheese is one of the best-selling brands of cream cheese worldwide. It is currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International. The brand dates back to 1872 when Pennsylvania dairies became known for their soft, creamy cheese made with whole milk. However, despite its name, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York State, not Philadelphia. The name "Philadelphia" was chosen because, at the time, Philadelphia and its surrounding area had a reputation for high-quality dairy farms and creamier cheese products. The brand's popularity grew due to clever marketing and good timing.
In 1872, William Lawrence, a dairyman from Chester, New York, attempted to make Neufchâtel, a tangy, crumblier cheese that was popular in Europe at the time. Instead, he accidentally added an excessive amount of cream, creating a richer, more spreadable cheese, which would eventually be called "cream cheese". It was first marketed as "Philadelphia Cream Cheese" in 1880 when Lawrence partnered with A.L. or Alvah Reynolds, a cheese distributor in New York, to sell larger quantities of cream cheese.
In 1928, the Phenix Cheese Company, which had purchased the trademarked Philadelphia name, merged with Kraft to form the Kraft-Phenix Cheese Company. This merger helped Philadelphia cream cheese become a household name. The brand's popularity has spread outside of the United States, and it is now the most popular cream cheese brand worldwide. It is especially popular in the UK and throughout Europe, particularly in Spain, where “Filadelfia” is a commonly used synonym for “cream cheese.”
The popularity of Philadelphia cream cheese can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its versatility, marketing, and accessibility. The product is marketed as a versatile ingredient suitable for both sweet and savoury dishes, such as cheesecakes, spreads, dips, and stuffings. It is also available in a range of flavours to match different tastes and preferences. The brand has also benefited from effective marketing campaigns, such as advertising slogans like “It Must Be Philly” and promotions celebrating the city of Philadelphia.
Despite its popularity, some people, like Noah Bernamoff, who runs Black Seed Bagels in New York, prefer other brands of cream cheese. Bernamoff favours Ben’s, a brand popular in New York, because it has a “fresh cheese” flavour and produces fluffier cheesecakes. He considers Philadelphia to be “just a texture” without much flavour.
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Other cheeses like Philadelphia
Philadelphia cream cheese is a brand of cream cheese, first produced in 1872 and currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International. It was created by accident when a New York dairyman, William Lawrence, attempted to make Neufchâtel, a soft and tangy French cheese, but instead added too much cream, creating a richer, more spreadable cheese.
Other cheeses that are similar to Philadelphia cream cheese include:
Cream Cheeses
Other cream cheeses are available, and while they may not be identical to Philadelphia, they can be good alternatives.
Provolone
Provolone is a legit Italian cheese that is often used as an alternative to Philadelphia in cheesesteaks. It is a good melting cheese and can be used in a variety of dishes, including sandwiches and pizzas.
Mascarpone
Mascarpone is a soft, creamy cheese with a high fat content. It is often used in desserts, such as tiramisu, but can also be spread on bread or crackers. It has a sweet, mild flavour and a smooth, creamy texture.
Brie
Brie is a soft, creamy cheese with a mild, buttery flavour. It is similar to Philadelphia in texture and can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. A truffled Brie can be a particularly indulgent option for a cheesesteak.
White American
White American cheese is a good alternative to Philadelphia in cheesesteaks and other melted cheese dishes. It has a mild, creamy flavour and melts easily, making it a versatile option for a variety of dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Philadelphia cheese is made from milk and real cream.
The milk used in Philadelphia cheese is pasteurised milk.
The US FDA regulates the term "cream cheese", defining it as a pasteurised, unaged dairy product that contains at least 33% milk fat.
Yes, Philadelphia cheese is suitable for vegetarians.
Philadelphia cheese was first produced in New York State.
