Frederic Melton
McDonald's uses processed cheddar cheese slices, which have a unique texture and taste. The cheese is sourced from large companies and is made specifically for McDonald's, with no branding on the packaging. It has a high-fat content and contains additives like natural cheese flavouring and food colouring, giving it a distinctive appearance. The cheese is supplied by the Great Lakes Cheese Plant, which produces millions of pounds of cheese annually to meet McDonald's demand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | American cheese |
| Texture | Smooth |
| Taste | Mild |
| Colour | Yellow |
| Additives | Natural cheese flavouring, food colouring, butter, emulsifying salts, milk protein, cheese culture, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, lactic acid, enzymes, acetic acid, sodium pyrophosphate, soy lecithin |
| Fat Content | 3.5 grams per slice |
| Saturated Fat Content | 2.5 grams per slice |
| Cholesterol Content | 15 milligrams per slice |
| Sodium Content | 230 milligrams per slice |
| Supplier | Great Lakes Cheese Plant |
| Calories | 50 per slice |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- McDonald's cheese is made from natural cheese flavouring, food colouring, butter, emulsifying salts, and milk protein
- It is not plastic, despite appearances
- McDonald's cheese is an unbranded American cheese
- It is produced by the Great Lakes Cheese Plant in Ohio
- A single slice contains 3.5 grams of fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, and 230 milligrams of sodium
McDonald's cheese is made from natural cheese flavouring, food colouring, butter, emulsifying salts, and milk protein
McDonald's cheese is a processed cheddar cheese, with about 50 calories per slice, 35 of which come from fat. The cheese is sourced from large companies, with some reports indicating that the Great Lakes Cheese Plant supplies McDonald's with at least 18 million pounds of cheese annually.
The cheese has a smooth, floppy texture and a cartoonish, yellow appearance. It melts easily, transforming into a rich cheese sauce when placed on a burger. It is often compared to Kraft Deluxe deli slices or Land O Lakes slices, but some argue that it is a hybrid of different cheeses.
McDonald's cheese is not branded and is made and packaged specifically for the company. It is supplied in bulk and is an unbranded American cheese.
The Cheesy Croque Madame: What's the Secret?
You may want to see also
It is not plastic, despite appearances
McDonald's cheese is not plastic, despite its appearance. The slices are wrapped in plastic to prevent them from sticking together, and this packaging gives the cheese its uniformity. While the cheese may contain additives, plastic is not one of them. Instead, McDonald's cheese uses natural cheese flavouring and food colouring, which gives it a cartoonish look that leads people to believe it is plastic. The smooth texture also makes the cheese appear rubbery when handled.
McDonald's cheese is a processed cheddar cheese, with one slice containing about 50 calories, 35 of which are from fat. The cheese also contains butter, emulsifying salts, milk protein, cheese culture, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, lactic acid, enzymes, acetic acid, sodium pyrophosphate, and soy lecithin. These ingredients enhance the flavour and texture of the cheese, making it melt into a rich cheese sauce when placed on a burger.
The Great Lakes Cheese Plant supplies McDonald's with at least 18 million pounds of cheese each year, with about 1.1 billion gallons of milk coming from 67,000 cows. The plant operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, to meet the high demand from McDonald's.
While some customers may choose to skip the cheese to reduce their calorie intake, the bun actually has more calories than the cheese. McDonald's cheese does not contain any trans fats, but it is still high in cholesterol and sodium.
Some people have compared McDonald's cheese to Kraft Deluxe deli slices or Land O' Lakes slices, but it is important to note that the cheese is not plastic, despite its unusual appearance and texture.
Rennet-Based Cheeses: A Guide to Traditional Favorites
You may want to see also
McDonald's cheese is an unbranded American cheese
McDonald's cheese is a processed cheddar cheese with a smooth, uniform texture and a distinctive cartoonish, yellow appearance. It is floppy and rubbery in texture, with a mild flavour. It is often compared to Kraft Deluxe deli slices or Land O Lakes slices.
The cheese is made from natural cheese flavouring, food colouring, butter, emulsifying salts, milk protein, cheese culture, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, lactic acid, enzymes, acetic acid, sodium pyrophosphate, and soy lecithin. It is high in fat, with 3.5 grams of fat per slice, 2.5 grams of which are saturated. It also contains 15 milligrams of cholesterol and 230 milligrams of sodium.
The cheese is wrapped in plastic to prevent the slices from sticking together and to maintain the uniformity that McDonald's is known for. It is also left to set at room temperature for an hour before being used in sandwiches, which helps it melt better.
Marble Cheese Board: Care and Creative Uses
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is produced by the Great Lakes Cheese Plant in Ohio
McDonald's cheese is an unbranded, processed American cheese, designed to melt perfectly onto their sandwiches. It is produced by the Great Lakes Cheese Plant in Ohio, which supplies McDonald's with around 18 million pounds of cheese each year. This amounts to about 13,700 McDonald's restaurants across the country.
The Great Lakes Cheese Plant in Hiram, Ohio, is functional 24 hours a day, five days a week, to meet the high demand from McDonald's. The plant has about 67,000 cows, which produce 1.1 billion gallons of milk annually. This massive operation is run by approximately 1,800 employees, who own 20% of the cheese plant through a stock program.
The cheese produced by the Great Lakes Cheese Plant has a distinctive appearance and texture. It is often wrapped in plastic to maintain slice uniformity and prevent sticking. The cheese's cartoonish yellow colour comes from natural cheese flavouring and food colouring. Its smooth, floppy texture is enhanced by ingredients like butter, emulsifying salts, and milk protein.
While McDonald's cheese is not plastic, it does contain additives and a high amount of fat. Each slice contains 3.5 grams of fat, with 2.5 grams being saturated. It also contains 15 milligrams of cholesterol and 230 milligrams of sodium.
The cheese has a rich, cheesy flavour and texture, reminiscent of Kraft Deluxe deli slices or Land O' Lakes slices. Its consistency and taste are well-suited to McDonald's sandwiches, contributing to the overall appeal of their menu items.
Colby Cheese: Creative Culinary Uses
You may want to see also
A single slice contains 3.5 grams of fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, and 230 milligrams of sodium
McDonald's cheese is often described as processed cheddar or American cheese. It is produced specifically for McDonald's by the Great Lakes Cheese Plant, which supplies about 13,700 McDonald's restaurants across the country with around 18 million pounds of cheese annually.
The cheese slices are wrapped in plastic to prevent them from sticking together and to maintain the uniformity that the fast-food chain is known for. While the slices may have additives, they do not contain plastic. Instead, McDonald's uses natural cheese flavoring and food coloring, which gives the cheese its distinctive appearance.
A single slice of McDonald's cheese contains 3.5 grams of fat, with 2.5 grams being saturated fat. It also contains 15 milligrams of cholesterol and 230 milligrams of sodium. While some customers may opt to skip the cheese to reduce their calorie intake, it's worth noting that a single slice contributes less to the overall calorie count of a burger than the bun.
In addition to fat, cholesterol, and sodium, a slice of McDonald's cheese provides a range of nutrients commonly found in dairy products. These include calcium, protein, and various vitamins. However, the processing and additives used to create the cheese may impact the nutritional value and health benefits typically associated with cheese.
Eggplant Parmesan: Mozzarella, Parmesan, or Both?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
McDonald's uses processed cheddar cheese slices. The cheese is sourced from the Great Lakes Cheese Plant in Ohio, which supplies about 18 million pounds of cheese to the fast-food chain annually.
McDonald's cheese has a mild flavour and a smooth, floppy texture. It melts easily and has a rich, saucy consistency when placed on a burger. It is often compared to Kraft Deluxe deli slices or Land O Lakes slices.
A single slice of McDonald's cheese contains approximately 50 calories, with 35 calories derived from fat. Each slice adds 3.5 grams of fat to your meal, of which 2.5 grams are saturated. While it does not contain trans fats, it does have 15 milligrams of cholesterol and 230 milligrams of sodium.
