Frederic Melton
Cheddar and American cheese are two very different types of cheese with distinct characteristics. Cheddar cheese, which originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese with a natural colour ranging from pale yellow to off-white. On the other hand, American cheese is a smooth and creamy processed cheese with a mild flavour. It is made with milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food colouring, flavourings, emulsifiers, and salt. The main difference between the two cheeses lies in their processing and flavour. Cheddar is aged naturally, resulting in a stronger flavour, while American cheese is artificially processed, making it less expensive and milder in taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | American cheese is usually bland in taste, but various cheeses can be added to make it more flavorful. Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese. |
| Texture | American cheese has a smooth and creamy texture. Cheddar is a hard English cheese. |
| Ingredients | American cheese is made with milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food coloring, flavorings, emulsifiers, and salt. Cheddar cheese is made with cow's milk. |
| Processing | American cheese is artificially processed rather than aged naturally. Cheddar cheese is matured at a constant temperature for 3 to 18 months. |
| Meltability | American cheese has emulsifying agents that help it melt well. Cheddar cheese often needs to be shredded and added to a milk, butter, and flour mixture to melt well. |
| Nutritional values | Both cheeses are higher in fat content and calories. Cheddar cheese is slightly higher in fat and saturated fat but lower in sodium. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
American cheese is a blend of Colby and Cheddar
American cheese and Cheddar cheese are two different types of cheese with distinct characteristics. Cheddar cheese, which originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, has been produced there since at least the 12th century. It is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese with a natural colour ranging from pale yellow to off-white, although some manufacturers add a brighter yellow colouring. Cheddar gets its flavour from aging, using a buttermilk culture, and the "cheddaring" process, which also gives it a unique texture.
On the other hand, American cheese is a processed cheese known for its smooth and creamy texture. It is typically milder in flavour, but various cheeses can be added to enhance its taste. It is available in different colours, including yellow, white, and orange, and has a long shelf life of 12-15 years. American cheese is made with milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food colouring, flavourings, emulsifiers, and salt. These ingredients are blended, heated with emulsifiers, and poured into moulds to solidify.
Now, to address the question of why some Cheddar cheese may taste like American cheese, it is important to understand the relationship between these two varieties. American cheese is indeed a blend of Colby and Cheddar cheeses. The addition of Colby cheese, a mild-flavoured cheese, to the sharper Cheddar, results in a cheese with a more subdued flavour, similar to American cheese. Furthermore, the process of making American cheese involves grating the cheese, adding an emulsifier, and heating it, which pulls out the fat. The emulsifier then helps reincorporate the fat, resulting in a creamy and gooey texture. This process of heating and adding emulsifiers can also impact the flavour, making the cheese milder and less sharp.
Therefore, when a Cheddar cheese undergoes similar processing, including the addition of emulsifiers and heating, it can take on a taste and texture reminiscent of American cheese. This processed Cheddar, with its altered flavour and texture, may be preferred in certain dishes, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, or recipes that require melted cheese. However, it is important to note that traditional, aged Cheddar has a more robust flavour and a harder texture compared to American cheese.
The Cheddar Cheese Goldfish: A Tasty Origin Story
You may want to see also
Cheddar has a stronger flavour
Cheddar cheese has a stronger flavour than American cheese. Cheddar is a hard English cheese with a sharp taste, while American cheese is a smooth and creamy processed cheese with a mild flavour. The difference in flavour is due to the way the cheeses are made. Cheddar gets its flavour from ageing cheese made with a buttermilk culture, while American cheese is made by blending milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food colouring, flavourings, emulsifiers and salt, and then heating and cooling the mixture.
Cheddar cheese originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, and has been produced there since at least the 12th century. It is made with cow's milk and has a natural colour that ranges from pale yellow to off-white, although some manufacturers add a brighter yellow colouring. After heating the curd, it is kneaded with salt, cut into cubes to drain the whey, then stacked and turned. It is then matured at a constant temperature, typically in caves, for 3 to 18 months. This ageing process gives cheddar its distinct sharp flavour.
On the other hand, American cheese is a processed cheese product that is commonly used in the United States on sandwiches, hamburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and cheese dips. It is known for its meltability and creamy texture rather than its flavour. The key ingredient in American cheese is an emulsifier, such as sodium citrate, which helps the cheese melt and stay creamy. Other ingredients added to American cheese include milk, whey, whey proteins, food colouring, and salt. The mixture is heated, cooled, and then sliced.
While American cheese is known for its mild flavour, some varieties may have a stronger taste depending on the type of cheese used in the blend. For example, American cheese is often made with a mixture of mild cheddar and Colby, which can give it a slightly sharper flavour. However, overall, cheddar cheese is generally considered to have a stronger flavour than American cheese due to its ageing process and natural ingredients.
If you are looking for a cheese with a stronger flavour, cheddar is a good option. It has a distinct sharp taste that can enhance the flavour of dishes without overwhelming them. Cheddar is also a good choice for those watching their sodium intake, as it has a lower sodium content than American cheese.
Cabot Private Stock Cheddar: Rich, Buttery, and Tangy
You may want to see also
American cheese is highly processed
In contrast, Cheddar cheese is a hard English cheese that is naturally aged. Cheddar's flavour is derived from aging the cheese using a buttermilk culture, resulting in a sharper taste than American cheese. The "`cheddaring' process also gives Cheddar its unique texture and acidity level. Unlike American cheese, Cheddar is made with only cow's milk, salt, and sometimes colouring.
The processing of American cheese extends its shelf life significantly. American cheese can last 12-15 years, whereas Cheddar cheese has a shorter shelf life due to its natural aging process. The long shelf life of American cheese contributes to its widespread use in American cuisine, particularly in grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese, and cheese dips.
The highly processed nature of American cheese also affects its nutritional value. Compared to Cheddar, American cheese has higher sodium levels and lower protein content. For individuals watching their sodium intake, Cheddar is a better option. Additionally, for those looking to limit processed foods, Cheddar cheese is a more suitable choice.
While American cheese is highly processed, it is important to note that all cheese, including Cheddar, undergoes some form of processing. The level of processing and the addition of emulsifying agents are what set American cheese apart. These factors contribute to the distinct characteristics of American cheese, such as its meltability and smooth texture.
Cheddar Cheese Sodium Levels: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
American cheese is designed to melt well
American cheese is a blend of Colby and Cheddar, while American Singles are derivatives of these cheeses, including whey. American cheese is designed to melt well and is commonly used in the US on dishes that use melted cheese, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and macaroni and cheese. It has a smooth and creamy texture and a mild flavour. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the acceptable flavour, texture, meltability, and food colouring of American cheese.
American cheese is made by grating cheese, adding an emulsifier, and heating it. This process pulls the fat out of the cheese, and the emulsifier helps to reincorporate it. The emulsifying agents in American cheese, such as sodium citrate, help it melt well and stay creamy. In contrast, hard cheeses like Cheddar often need to be shredded and added to a milk, butter, and flour mixture to melt well and maintain a creamy texture.
The resulting mixture of American cheese is then cooled and sliced. It is made with milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food colouring, flavourings, emulsifiers, and salt. These ingredients are blended and heated with emulsifiers, such as potassium phosphate or sodium citrate, and poured into moulds to solidify.
American cheese is artificially processed rather than aged naturally, making it less expensive than Cheddar. It has a very long shelf life of 12-15 years and is available in various colours, including yellow, white, and orange. It is difficult to burn, melts easily, and does not have a strong smell.
Cheddar Cheese: Fattening or Healthy Indulgence?
You may want to see also
Cheddar is matured for up to 18 months
Cheddar cheese is matured for up to 18 months, during which time it develops its distinctive sharp flavour and crumbly texture. This maturation process is a key difference between cheddar and American cheese, which is artificially processed rather than aged naturally.
Cheddar cheese, which originated in the English village of Cheddar in Somerset, England, has been produced there since at least the 12th century. The traditional process of making cheddar involves heating cow's milk, kneading the curd with salt, cutting it into cubes to drain the whey, and then stacking and turning it. The cheese is then matured at a constant temperature, typically in caves, for 3 to 18 months. This maturation process allows the flavours to develop and gives cheddar its characteristic sharpness.
On the other hand, American cheese is a processed cheese product made with a blend of mild cheddar and Colby, emulsifiers, and other ingredients. It is heated, melted, and then cooled and sliced, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture. This processing method, rather than natural ageing, is why American cheese has a milder flavour and longer shelf life than cheddar.
The maturation process of cheddar contributes to its more complex flavour profile compared to American cheese. While American cheese is known for its meltability and creamy texture, cheddar offers a sharper, more robust taste. This is due to the ageing process, during which the cheese's natural cultures break down proteins and fats, creating new flavour compounds and intensifying the overall flavour.
The length of maturation also affects the texture of cheddar. Younger cheddars, matured for a shorter period, tend to be softer and creamier, while longer maturation produces the characteristic crumbly texture associated with aged cheddars. This variation in texture, influenced by the maturation process, adds to the versatility of cheddar in different recipes.
Best Places to Buy English Cheddar Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
American cheese is a blend of Colby and cheddar, or a mixture of mild cheddar and Colby. Some producers use fresh cheese curds to cut costs, which affects the taste.
American cheese is a processed cheese with a smooth and creamy texture. It is made with milk, whey, milk and whey proteins, food colouring, flavourings, emulsifiers, and salt.
Cheddar cheese is a hard English cheese with a stronger flavour than American cheese. It is made with cow's milk and matured for 3 to 18 months, whereas American cheese is artificially processed rather than aged naturally.
American cheese has emulsifying agents that help it melt well and stay creamy.
