Cheetos' Cheese: What's The Secret Ingredient?

Cheetos are a crunchy corn-cheese puff snack brand made by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. The cheese-flavoured snack was invented in 1948 by Fritos creator Charles Elmer Doolin and was distributed nationally in the United States. The cheese used in Cheetos is cheddar cheese, which is included in the cheese seasoning that is sprayed onto the cornmeal puffs. The cheese seasoning also contains whey, canola oil, maltodextrin, salt, whey protein concentrate, monosodium glutamate, lactic acid, citric acid, and artificial colouring.

The cheese dust is officially called 'Cheetle'

Cheetos are a crunchy corn-cheese puff snack brand made by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. The cheese dust that coats the corn puffs is officially called "Cheetle". This term was trademarked by Frito-Lay in 2005, although it was previously spelled "cheedle". The name was publicly revealed in 2020, with Frito-Lay executives explaining that they had been calling the cheese dust "Cheetle" internally for some time.

The cheese dust is a key part of the Cheetos experience, with many fans embracing the orange fingers they get after eating the snack. The dust is made from cheese seasoning, which includes cheddar cheese, whey, canola oil, maltodextrin, salt, whey protein concentrate, monosodium glutamate, lactic acid, citric acid, and artificial colouring. The cheese dust is sprayed onto the corn puffs after they have been fried in vegetable oil.

The creation of Cheetos involves blending corn and water, removing the germ from the corn to prevent spoiling, and then grinding the corn into cornmeal. The cornmeal is heated under pressure and then extruded through a die, with hot air creating the characteristic texture of the snack. The product is then oven-dried or fried before being coated with the cheese seasoning.

Cheetos were invented in 1948 by Charles Elmer Doolin, the founder of Frito-Lay and creator of Fritos. Doolin conducted culinary experiments in his kitchen, with his daughters acting as taste-testers. The initial success of Cheetos contributed to the merger between The Frito Company and H.W. Lay & Company in 1961 to form Frito-Lay.

The cheese dust contains 12 ingredients

Cheetos are made by creating an "enriched cornmeal" and feeding it through an extruder that heats the liquid inside, creating an uneven texture. The product is then deep-fried and sprayed with a cheese powder. This cheese dust, or "Cheetle", contains 12 ingredients:

• Whey
• Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
• Canola Oil
• Maltodextrin (Made from Corn)
• Natural and Artificial Flavors
• Salt
• Whey Protein Concentrate
• Monosodium Glutamate
• Lactic Acid
• Citric Acid
• Artificial Colour (Yellow 6)
• Cheese Cultures

The cheese dust is what gives Cheetos their distinctive bright orange colour, and it is a key part of the Cheetos eating experience. The term "Cheetle" was trademarked by Frito-Lay in 2005 but was only revealed to the public in 2020.

Cheetos are made with real cheese

The cheese is sprayed onto the corn base of the snack. The corn base is made by blending corn and water, removing the germ of the corn to prevent spoiling, and then grinding the corn into cornmeal. The cornmeal is then enriched with various nutrients, including ferrous sulfate (iron), niacin (vitamin B3), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and folic acid (vitamin B9). The enriched cornmeal is then heated under pressure and extruded through a die, before being oven-dried or fried. The cheese seasoning is then added, and the Cheetos are ready for packaging.

The cheese in Cheetos is a key part of the snacking experience, leaving a residue of bright orange "cheese dust" on the fingertips, clothes, and faces of those who eat them. This residue even has an official name: "Cheetle".

Cheetos were invented in 1948 by Fritos creator Charles Elmer Doolin, who cooked early test batches in the Frito Company's research and development kitchen in Dallas, Texas. The cheese-flavoured snack sold quickly, and Doolin soon partnered with potato chip businessman Herman W. Lay for marketing and distribution. The success of Cheetos prompted Doolin and Lay to merge their two companies in 1961, forming Frito-Lay Inc.

Cheetos are scientifically proven to be addictive

Cheetos are a popular snack that originated in the United States in 1948. They are puffed or crunchy cheese-flavoured snacks available in various shapes and sizes. The brand offers several varieties, including Crunchy, Puffs, Flamin' Hot, Jalapeño Cheddar, and White Cheddar, among others.

Cheetos are made from cornmeal with added flavourings, vegetable oil, and additives like salt and sugar. The cheese seasoning contains whey, cheddar cheese, canola oil, maltodextrin, salt, whey protein concentrate, monosodium glutamate, lactic acid, citric acid, and artificial colouring.

The snack's melt-in-your-mouth quality is another factor contributing to its addictiveness. This phenomenon is known as "vanishing caloric density," where the rapid melting of the food tricks the brain into thinking it has no calories, leading to endless consumption.

Additionally, the bold and recognisable orange colour of Cheetos has been shown to increase cravings. The colour triggers associations with fun and excitement, making them more appealing and desirable.

The combination of salt, fat, and carbohydrates in Cheetos triggers the release of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter that creates a sense of reward and satisfaction. The high salt content in Cheetos, with over 250mg of sodium per serving, enhances their addictive quality. Salt is a natural flavour enhancer that triggers the reward centres of the brain, making people crave more.

Research has also shown that the crunchiness and mouthfeel of Cheetos contribute to their addictiveness. The sound and texture of the snack create a satisfying sensory experience, and louder, more intense noises from food are linked to higher levels of enjoyment.

Furthermore, the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG), commonly found in Cheetos, creates a savoury and addictive taste. MSG activates the glutamate receptors in the taste buds, making the food taste more delicious.

Cheetos are so addictive that they have been compared to drugs like cocaine and nicotine, although on a milder scale. While there is no component in Cheetos that makes them physically addicting, the combination of their flavour, texture, and psychological factors creates an irresistible snack.

The cheese dust is made with cheddar cheese

Cheetos are a crunchy corn-cheese puff snack brand made by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. The cheese dust on Cheetos is officially called "Cheetle", a term trademarked by Frito-Lay in 2005. This cheesy dust is made with cheddar cheese, as listed in the ingredients of the product.

The full ingredients list of Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks includes:

• Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
• Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola, and/or Sunflower Oil)
• Cheese Seasoning (Whey, Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Canola Oil, Maltodextrin [Made from Corn], Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate, Monosodium Glutamate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Artificial Color [Yellow 6])
• Salt

The cheese dust is part of the "Cheese Seasoning" component of the ingredients list. The cheddar cheese is listed as an ingredient within this component, confirming that the cheese dust is indeed made with cheddar cheese.

The process of making Cheetos involves blending corn and water, removing the corn germ to prevent spoilage, and grinding the corn into cornmeal. The cornmeal is then enriched with nutrients and heated under pressure before being extruded through a die. The texture of the snack is formed as a result of contact with hot air, which causes the mixture to expand. After oven-drying or frying, the Cheetos are then tumbled with the desired flavour components, including the cheese dust.

The cheese dust is a quintessential part of the Cheetos-eating experience, leaving a bright orange residue on the fingertips and sometimes clothes of those who consume the snack. The cheese dust is not only iconic for its colour but also for its flavour, which, along with the texture of the corn puffs, contributes to the addictiveness of Cheetos.

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