Frederic Melton
Welfare cheese, also known as government cheese, is a term used to describe cheese that is produced by the government and distributed to people on welfare. It is made from a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, colby, cheese curd, and granular cheese, and is made meltable using emulsifiers and blended. Government cheese was nominally removed in the 1990s when the dairy market stabilized, but it still holds a place in popular culture, with references in songs by Ol' Dirty Bastard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Government cheese |
| Type | Pasteurized process American cheese |
| Ingredients | Cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, cheese curd, or granular cheese |
| Texture | Meltable |
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What You'll Learn
Government cheese is nominally known as 'pasteurized process American cheese'
Government cheese, also known as welfare cheese, is nominally known as pasteurized process American cheese. It is produced from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, or granular cheese. It is made meltable using emulsifiers and blended. It is smooth, flavorful, and the ideal topping for a burger patty.
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It is made from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, and granular cheese
Government cheese, also known as "welfare cheese", is made from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, and granular cheese. It is a type of "pasteurized process American cheese", which is made meltable using emulsifiers and blended. It is smooth and flavourful, and can be used as a topping for burgers.
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It was given to people in welfare homes
Government cheese, or welfare cheese, is "pasteurized process American cheese", made from a variety of cheeses (Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, or granular cheese) and made meltable using emulsifiers and blended. It was given to people in welfare homes, and was nominally removed in the 1990s when the dairy market stabilised.
People in welfare homes would receive a box of food from social services once or twice a week. This would include government/state-produced goods, "day old" bread from grocery stores, and other goods that were past their "recommended expiration date" or otherwise unsellable (e.g. dented Pringles cans).
Because minorities have historically been heavily represented in welfare programs, the government was not doing Americans any favours by providing this cheese.
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It was discontinued in the 1990s
Government cheese, also known as welfare cheese, was discontinued in the 1990s. This was when the dairy market stabilised. Government cheese is "pasteurised process American cheese", which is produced from a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, and granular cheese. It is made meltable using emulsifiers and blended.
Government cheese was given to people on welfare programs, and because minorities have historically been heavily represented in these programs, the government was criticised for not doing enough to help Americans.
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It is now available in restaurants
Government cheese, or welfare cheese, is now available in restaurants. It is a pasteurised process American cheese, made from a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, colby, cheese curd, or granular cheese. It is made meltable using emulsifiers and blended.
Government cheese was nominally removed in the 1990s when the dairy market stabilised. However, it seems to have made a comeback and is now available in some restaurants.
One restaurant that serves government cheese is Wahlburgers. They describe their government cheese as "smooth and flavorful", and the ideal topping for their burgers. It is likely that other restaurants also serve government cheese, although it may be referred to by a different name.
The availability of government cheese in restaurants is a relatively new development and may be a result of the recent popularity of processed cheese products. It is also possible that the removal of government cheese in the 1990s created a demand for the product, which restaurants are now meeting.
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Frequently asked questions
Welfare cheese is also known as government cheese.
It is made from a variety of cheeses including cheddar, colby, cheese curd and granular cheese.
Yes, it is pasteurised process American cheese.
Yes, it is made meltable using emulsifiers and blending.
You can buy government cheese at Wahlburgers.
