Patrick Oconnell
Cheez-Its are cheese crackers manufactured by Kelloggs that were first launched in 1921. The company that created Cheez-Its, Green & Green, marketed the cracker as a baked rarebit, a reference to a dish of melted cheese over toast. The crackers are made with 100% real cheese, although some consumers have noted that the crackers seem to have less cheese than they did in the past.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese used | 100% real cheese, including cheddar and white cheddar |
| Cheese type | Dairy cheese made with skim milk (except White Cheddar Cheez-It crackers, which are made with full-fat milk) |
| Other ingredients | Enriched wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, spices, paprika, whey protein, cheese cultures, enzymes, annatto extract color |
| Shape | Rectangular, often believed to be square |
| Size | 26 x 24 mm or 1 x 1 inch |
| Dough process | Mixed, left to ferment in a 'proofing room', flattened by rollers, cut, and layered |
| Baking process | Baked in a massive oven |
| Texture | Crunchy, crispy, flaky |
| Taste | Cheesy, bold, salty |
| Nutrition | Not vegan |
| Shelf life | 11 months |
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What You'll Learn
The history of Cheez-Its
Cheez-Its are cheese crackers made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices. They are manufactured by Kelloggs, through its Sunshine Biscuits division. The history of Cheez-Its began in 1907 when Weston Green founded the Green & Green Company in Dayton, Ohio.
The Green & Green Company initially produced a variety of baked snack foods, including Dayton crackers, graham crackers, and gingersnaps. During World War I, the company also produced hardtack, a type of hard butter cracker. While the hardtack crackers were popular, customers began to desire a more delicate and flakier treat.
In response to this demand, Green & Green launched its Edgemont line in 1921, introducing a "baked rarebit" cracker that became known as the Cheez-It. Rarebit, also known as Welsh rarebit, is a dish of melted cheese, often cheddar, spread over toast. The Cheez-It cracker offered the same great taste in a baked, crunchy form with an impressive 11-month shelf life.
On May 23, 1921, Green & Green trademarked the unique name "Cheez-It," and the first logo was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In the early 1930s, the Kansas City-based Sunshine Biscuits acquired the Green & Green Company and continued to produce and market Cheez-Its.
Since their introduction, Cheez-Its have become a popular snack, with over 50 different varieties and flavors introduced since the 1980s. The original Cheez-It flavor remains iconic, with its square shape, rigid edges, and the distinctive hole in the middle. Cheez-Its continue to be a beloved snack for many, enjoyed for their cheesy, crunchy goodness.
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Ingredients and recipe
Cheez-Its are made with 100% real cheese, as well as wheat flour, vegetable oil, skim milk, salt, and spices. The dough is mixed with shredded cheese, then flattened by rollers into thin sheets, cut, and layered. A layer of salt is then added before the dough is baked in a massive oven. The baked crackers are then cut into their distinctive 1x1 inch squares.
The original Cheez-It flavour is made with cheese made from skim milk, while the White Cheddar flavour is made with full-fat milk. The cheese used in Cheez-Its is similar to Welsh rarebit, a 19th-century English dish of melted cheddar beer cheese spread over toast. Cheez-Its were first launched in 1921 and were named because they are made with real cheese.
The full list of ingredients for the Original Cheez-It flavour is:
- Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, vitamin B1 [thiamin mononitrate], vitamin B2 [riboflavin], folic acid)
- Vegetable oil (high oleic soybean, soybean, palm, and/or canola oil with TBHQ for freshness)
- Cheese made with skim milk (skim milk, whey protein, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes, annatto extract colour)
Cheez-Its have an 11-month shelf life, which is attributed to their baking process. The process of baking the crackers creates their distinctive layers, as well as their long shelf life.
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Manufacturing process
Cheez-It crackers are manufactured by Kelloggs and made with 100% real cheese. The manufacturing process for these crackers can be broken down into the following steps:
Mixing the Dough
Firstly, enriched wheat flour is mixed with a hint of paprika and other ingredients to create the dough. Freshly shredded cheese is then added to this mixture. The cheese used is made with skim milk, except for the White Cheddar Cheez-It crackers, which use White Cheddar cheese made with full-fat milk.
Fermentation
After mixing, the dough is placed in a 'proofing room' where it ferments. This process allows the flavours to develop and gives the crackers their unique taste.
Rolling and Cutting
Once the dough has rested, it is flattened by rollers into thin sheets. It is then cut and layered into pastry-like sheets. Salt is added at this stage to enhance the flavour.
Baking
The sheets of dough are then sent through a conveyor belt into a large oven, where they are baked. This stage is crucial to the texture and crunchiness of the final product.
Cutting and Packaging
After baking, the sheets are cut into the distinctive 1x1-inch squares, and the iconic "docker hole" is punched into the centre of each cracker. The crackers are then packaged and distributed.
Cheez-Its have an impressive 11-month shelf life, which has likely contributed to their popularity and success as a snack food. The manufacturing process described above transforms simple ingredients into a tasty, crunchy, and convenient snack with a long shelf life.
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Flavour and taste
Cheez-It crackers are made with 100% real cheese. The primary ingredients in Cheez-It snack crackers are enriched wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese made with skim milk, and salt. The dough is mixed with freshly shredded cheese and allowed to ferment in a "proofing room" to develop its flavour. After resting, the dough is flattened, cut, and layered, and a savoury dose of salt is added before baking.
The original Cheez-It flavour has been described as bland and burnt-tasting by some consumers, with reports of very little cheese powder. However, others still enjoy the original flavour, describing it as deliciously cheesy, light, and crispy.
Since the 1980s, Cheez-It has introduced over 50 different flavours and products, including White Cheddar, Extra Cheesy, Extra Sharp Cheddar, and Spicy variants. The White Cheddar flavour is made with full-fat milk, while all other varieties use skim milk.
The unique flavour and taste of Cheez-It crackers can be attributed to the combination of ingredients, the fermentation process, and the baking method. The crackers are designed to be thin, crispy, and layered, providing a satisfying bite with a long-lasting cheesy flavour.
While taste preferences may vary among individuals, Cheez-It crackers have maintained their popularity, with consumers enjoying the crunchy, cheesy goodness that has become synonymous with the brand.
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Nutrition and dietary considerations
Cheez-Its are cheese crackers made with 100% real cheese, wheat flour, vegetable oil, skim milk, salt, and spices. The cheese used is made with skim milk, except for the White Cheddar Cheez-It crackers, which are made with full-fat milk.
Cheez-Its are a baked snack cracker that contains a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. The crackers are made with enriched wheat flour, which provides carbohydrates in the form of starch and dietary fibre. Enriched flour is also fortified with added nutrients, including iron, vitamins B1, B2, and B3, and folic acid. These nutrients can contribute to energy levels, metabolism, and overall health.
The cheese in Cheez-Its provides protein and calcium, which are essential for muscle health and bone strength. While cheese is a good source of these nutrients, it is also high in saturated fat and sodium, which should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The vegetable oil used in Cheez-Its also contributes to the overall fat content, and it is important to note that these crackers are not a significant source of essential fatty acids.
As a processed snack food, Cheez-Its are likely to be high in added sugars and salt, which can contribute to an increased risk of health issues if consumed in excess. The crackers are also not suitable for those following a vegan or dairy-free diet due to the presence of dairy cheese. For those with specific dietary requirements or restrictions, it is important to check the full ingredients list and nutritional information provided by the manufacturer.
Cheez-Its may not be a good choice for those aiming to reduce their intake of processed foods or those watching their calorie or fat intake. However, they can be enjoyed as an occasional treat as part of a balanced diet that includes a variety of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. It is always important to practise portion control and moderation when including snack foods in your diet.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Cheez-Its are made with 100% real cheese.
All Cheez-It crackers use cheese made with skim milk, except for the White Cheddar Cheez-It crackers, which use White Cheddar cheese made with full-fat milk.
No, Cheez-Its are not vegan because one of their primary ingredients is dairy cheese.
Cheez-Its were first launched in 1921 and rightfully named so because they were made with real cheese.
Cheez-Its are made by mixing wheat flour, a hint of paprika, and other ingredients, then adding freshly shredded cheese. After mixing, the dough ferments in a 'proofing room' to allow the flavors to develop. It is then flattened, cut, and layered with salt before being baked in a massive oven and cut into the iconic square shape.
