The Mystery Behind Plastic Cheese: Ingredients Revealed

Plastic cheese, also known as processed cheese, is a product made from real cheese mixed with other ingredients. These ingredients can include salt, food dyes, preservatives, extra dairy, emulsifiers, or other artificial ingredients. The addition of these ingredients alters the flavour, colour, and texture of the cheese, and increases its shelf life. While it may be perceived as inferior to real cheese, processed cheese is a popular choice for cheeseburgers and breakfast sandwiches due to its meltability and affordability.

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Plastic cheese is not made of plastic

Plastic cheese, or processed cheese, is not made of plastic. The term "plastic" in this context simply refers to the fact that processed cheese can be moulded into a desired shape. This type of cheese was first developed in Switzerland in 1911 by Walter Gerber and Fritz Stettler, who added sodium citrate to melted Emmentaler cheese, creating a product that could be re-cooled into a solid. In 1916, Canadian-American businessman J.L. Kraft popularised the product by mixing a variety of cheeses with water to produce a uniform, meltable cheese product.

Processed cheese is made with the goal of enhancing certain qualities, such as meltability and flavour consistency. It is also designed to have a longer shelf life than traditional cheese. To achieve these goals, various ingredients are added to the cheese, including emulsifying agents, vegetable oils, unfermented dairy ingredients, salt, food colouring, sugar, and preservatives. These ingredients typically make up 40-50% of the final product, with the remaining 50-60% being cheese.

While the term "plastic cheese" may evoke negative connotations, it is important to note that processed cheese is not inherently inferior to unprocessed cheese. In fact, it has its own advantages, such as a smoother texture, uniform melting, and a more compact body. Additionally, processed cheese is often more affordable and accessible than unprocessed cheese, making it a popular choice for cheeseburgers, sandwiches, and other dishes.

It is worth mentioning that the term "processed cheese" covers a wide range of products with varying ingredients and qualities. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorises and regulates these products under specific guidelines. Some processed cheese products cannot legally be labelled as cheese in many countries due to their high proportion of additives. However, this does not mean that they are made of plastic or are inherently unhealthy.

In summary, while plastic cheese may be referred to as such due to its mouldable nature, it is not made of plastic. It is a processed food product with its own unique characteristics, advantages, and applications in the culinary world.

It's a blend of real food ingredients

While the term "plastic cheese" may bring to mind images of recycled plastic bottles being ground up and turned into cheese, this is not the case. In reality, plastic cheese, or processed cheese, is made from a blend of real food ingredients.

Processed cheese typically contains around 50% to 60% cheese, with the remaining 40% to 50% consisting of other ingredients. These ingredients are added to melted, pasteurized cheese, which is then converted into various forms such as slices, sauces, or spreads. The main goal of adding these ingredients is to create a product that melts easily and has a smooth, uniform texture and colour.

The additional ingredients used in processed cheese include emulsifying agents, such as sodium citrate or sodium phosphate, which prevent the fat and protein from separating during melting. Other common ingredients are vegetable oils, unfermented dairy ingredients, salt, food colouring, sugar, preservatives, extra dairy, and artificial ingredients. These ingredients not only improve the texture and appearance of the cheese but also extend its shelf life.

Processed cheese was first developed in Switzerland in 1911 by Walter Gerber and Fritz Stettler, who added sodium citrate to melted Emmentaler cheese, creating an emulsified cheese sauce that could be re-cooled into a solid. In 1916, J.L. Kraft popularised the concept by blending various cheeses with water to produce a uniform product with a smooth consistency.

Today, processed cheese is widely used, especially in dishes like cheeseburgers and breakfast sandwiches, where its melting properties are highly desired. While it may not be considered "real cheese" by some, it is important to note that processed cheese is made from real food ingredients and can be a convenient and affordable option for consumers.

It's cheaper to produce and buy

While the term "plastic cheese" may conjure up images of recycled plastic bottles being ground up and turned into cheese, this is not the case. Rather, the term "plastic" in this context simply refers to any material that can be moulded into a desired shape, which does indeed describe processed cheese.

Processed cheese is often cheaper to produce and buy than its "real cheese" counterparts. This is due in part to the fact that it is made from a blend of different cheeses and other non-cheese ingredients, which can include salt, food dyes, preservatives, extra dairy, emulsifiers, and other artificial ingredients. By blending different cheeses and adding these extra ingredients, manufacturers can create a uniform product with a longer shelf life that is also meltable without the fat separating from the protein. This means that processed cheese is easier to produce and distribute, resulting in cost savings that can be passed on to consumers.

In addition, processed cheese often contains a high proportion of additives, which can make it more affordable to produce than traditional cheese. In some cases, processed cheese may not even need to be refrigerated, further reducing the cost of storage and distribution.

It's worth noting that while processed cheese is cheaper, it doesn't necessarily mean it's inferior in quality. Processed cheese can be organic and contain quality ingredients. It's simply a different way of making cheese, one that often results in a product that melts more easily and has a smoother, more uniform texture.

So, while the term "plastic cheese" may have negative connotations, it's important to understand that it's not made from plastic. It's a product that, due to its unique production process and ingredients, offers a more affordable option for consumers without sacrificing taste or quality.

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It melts more easily than real cheese

While "plastic cheese" is not made of plastic, it does contain emulsifiers that bind the cheese's components tightly, allowing it to melt more easily than real cheese. Plastic cheese, also known as processed cheese, is made by blending different types of cheese with emulsifying agents, such as sodium citrate or sodium monohydrogen phosphate, and other non-cheese ingredients. These ingredients are added to melted, pasteurized cheese, which is then converted into slices or spreads. The emulsifiers prevent the fat and protein from separating when the cheese is melted, resulting in a smooth and uniform melt.

Processed cheese typically contains around 50% to 60% cheese and 40% to 50% other ingredients. These additional ingredients can include vegetable oils, unfermented dairy products, salt, food colouring, sugar, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. The exact ingredients and percentages can vary depending on the specific type of processed cheese and the regulations in different countries.

The melting properties of processed cheese can be attributed to the specific emulsifying agents used, such as sodium phosphate or sodium citrate. These salts enable the emulsions of fat and water in the cheese to stay intact when melted, resulting in a uniform melt. The addition of these emulsifiers also gives processed cheese a longer shelf life and a smoother, more consistent texture compared to real cheese.

The term "plastic cheese" may come from the fact that processed cheese can be moulded into desired shapes, similar to how plastic can be moulded. However, it is important to note that processed cheese is made from real food ingredients and is not actually made of plastic. While it may not have the same nutritional profile as real cheese, processed cheese can be a convenient and tasty option for many dishes, such as cheeseburgers or grilled cheese sandwiches, where a smooth and uniform melt is desired.

It has a longer shelf life

While "plastic cheese" may evoke images of recycled plastic bottles ground up and mixed with cheese, this is not the case. The term "plastic" is used to describe any material that can be moulded into a desired shape, and processed cheese does fit this definition.

Processed cheese is not 100% cheese; it usually hovers around 50% cheese, sometimes more and sometimes less. The rest of its composition is made up of non-cheese ingredients such as salt, food dyes, preservatives, extra dairy, emulsifiers, or other artificial ingredients.

The addition of these extra ingredients gives processed cheese a longer shelf life. The preservatives are what give processed cheese its biggest draw, as some processed cheese doesn't even need to be refrigerated and can sit at room temperature indefinitely. This makes it cheaper for the producer, seller, and consumer, as it requires less care than real cheese.

Processed cheese was first developed in Switzerland in 1911 when Walter Gerber and Fritz Stettler added sodium citrate to melted Emmentaler cheese. They were seeking to create a cheese with a longer shelf life and were influenced by fondue and cheese sauces. They found that the emulsified cheese sauce could be re-cooled into a solid again. Shortly after, in 1916, Canadian-American businessman J.L. Kraft mixed a variety of cheeses with water to produce a uniform product that would melt smoothly and consistently.

While processed cheese may have a longer shelf life and be more cost-effective, it is important to note that it is not necessarily inferior in quality to "real" cheese. In fact, it has its own unique benefits, such as its melting properties, that make it desirable in certain applications, like cheeseburgers or grilled cheese sandwiches.

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