Kamil Perry
Easy Cheese, the instant cheese for instant parties, is a processed cheese spread product distributed by Mondelēz International. It was first manufactured by Nabisco and sold under the name Snack Mate from 1965 to 1984. Easy Cheese is packaged in a metal can filled with air and topped with a plastic cap, from which a straight, flexible nozzle extrudes the cheese. Its production involves melting cheese and blending it with emulsifiers, resulting in a uniform spread that doesn't separate during storage. With its whimsical nature and convenience, Easy Cheese has gained a devoted following, including celebrities like Kate Winslet, and continues to be a unique and playful addition to culinary creations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Invented | 1965 |
| Original name | Snack Mate |
| Distributor | Mondeléz International, Inc. |
| Advertised as | "Instant cheese for instant parties" |
| Flavours | Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Cheddar 'n Bacon, American, Pimento, Nacho, Shrimp Cocktail, Pizza, French Onion, Cheddar Blue Cheese |
| Discontinued flavours | Pimento, Nacho, Shrimp Cocktail, Pizza, French Onion, Cheddar Blue Cheese |
| Current flavours | Cheddar, American |
| Ingredients | Cheddar Cheese, cow’s milk, various milk extracts, sorbic acid, annatto, enzymes, cheese cultures, emulsifiers, canola oil, sodium alginate |
| Not a true | Aerosol |
| Requires refrigeration? | No |
| Texture | Uniform spread |
| Pseudoplastic characteristics | Yes |
| Main ingredient responsible for pseudoplastic characteristics | Sodium alginate |
| Main ingredient responsible for texture and longevity | Emulsifiers |
| Classified as | Processed cheese spread |
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What You'll Learn
- Easy Cheese is versatile and can be used in 3D printing experiments
- It's easy to use and store, with no need for refrigeration
- The product is available in a variety of flavours, catering to different tastes
- Easy Cheese has a long history, dating back to 1965, and has a cult following
- Its unique texture and consistency are a result of its distinct ingredients and manufacturing process
Easy Cheese is versatile and can be used in 3D printing experiments
Easy Cheese, being a processed cheese product, fits the criteria for 3D printing experiments. Its unique characteristics, such as its pseudoplastic behavior, uniform spread, and gel-like structure, make it an intriguing option for 3D printing explorations. The cheese exhibits fluid-like properties during extrusion, allowing it to flow smoothly through the nozzle, which is essential for successful 3D printing.
Andrew Maxwell-Parish, a graduate of mechanical engineering, recognized the potential of Easy Cheese in 3D printing and created the Easy Cheese 3D Printer. This innovative machine utilizes Easy Cheese aerosol cans as its extrusion system. By automating the extrusion process, the printer eliminates the need for users to fill up print cartridges manually.
The versatility of Easy Cheese in 3D printing opens up exciting possibilities for culinary creations. It enables the fabrication of food items with precise shapes and structures, offering a new dimension to the culinary arts. While the concept of 3D printing food may still be gaining traction, Easy Cheese serves as a versatile and accessible option for experimentation, allowing users to explore the intersection of technology and cuisine.
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It's easy to use and store, with no need for refrigeration
Easy Cheese, the "instant cheese for instant parties", is a convenient and user-friendly product. Its unique packaging and processing make it easy to use and store, with no need for refrigeration.
Easy Cheese is packaged in a metal can filled with air and sealed with a plastic cap. The can's design includes a piston and a plastic barrier, which prevent the contents from mixing with a propellant. This means that when the nozzle is pressed, the cheese is squeezed out in a solid column, rather than a fine mist. This innovative design also allows the cheese to be dispensed with the can upright or inverted, providing ease of use.
The absence of a need for refrigeration is a significant advantage of Easy Cheese. Unlike traditional cheese, which requires refrigeration to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage, Easy Cheese can be stored at room temperature. This makes it convenient for various situations, such as picnics, camping trips, or even just everyday use at home. It also eliminates the need for a fridge, making it ideal for those with limited storage space.
The ease of use and storage, coupled with its shelf-stable nature, makes Easy Cheese a versatile and convenient product for consumers. Its unique packaging and processing methods ensure that it remains fresh and usable without the need for refrigeration, setting it apart from traditional cheese products.
While some may question the invention of such a product, Easy Cheese fills a niche in the market for those seeking a convenient, ready-to-use cheese product that can be stored and transported with ease. Its long shelf life and ease of use have likely contributed to its enduring popularity, even amidst the rise of "clean" eating trends.
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The product is available in a variety of flavours, catering to different tastes
Easy Cheese, also known as "spray cheese", "squirt cheese", "cheese fizz", or "cheese in a can", is currently available in two flavours: Cheddar and American. However, over the years, the product has been sold in a variety of flavours, catering to different tastes.
The original flavour, Snack Mate, was sold from 1965 to 1984. Vintage advertisements showcased vibrant orange peaks of the product atop appetisers, with catchy slogans like "instant cheese for instant parties". Since then, Easy Cheese has been sold in flavours like Sharp Cheddar, Cheddar 'n Bacon, Pimento, French Onion, Cheddar Blue Cheese, Shrimp Cocktail, Nacho, Pizza, and Nacho.
The product's versatility is reflected in its ability to be paired with a range of dishes, from appetizers to sandwiches. Its unique packaging and delivery system, which dispenses the cheese in a solid column, also add to its appeal. Easy Cheese's availability in multiple flavours enhances its popularity and allows consumers to choose the ones that align with their taste preferences.
The variety of flavours offered by Easy Cheese demonstrates the brand's commitment to innovation and consumer satisfaction. By introducing new flavours, Easy Cheese provides consumers with options beyond the traditional cheese varieties. This strategy has likely contributed to the product's enduring popularity and cultural significance. Easy Cheese's ability to cater to diverse tastes has solidified its place in the market and earned it a dedicated fan base.
While some may question the authenticity of Easy Cheese as a "real cheese", with its complex blend of ingredients, there is no denying that its unique flavours and convenient delivery system have made it a beloved and iconic food product.
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Easy Cheese has a long history, dating back to 1965, and has a cult following
Easy Cheese, the "instant cheese for instant parties," has been around since 1965. Originally called Snack Mate, it was first manufactured by Nabisco and sold under that name until 1984. Vintage ads from the 1960s showcased its vibrant orange peaks atop appetisers, giving it a fanciful look.
The product is currently sold by Mondeléz International, Inc., which also owns Kraft Heinz. It is packaged in a metal can filled with air and covered with a plastic cap that reveals a straight, flexible nozzle from which the cheese is extruded. The can is not an aerosol spray, but rather contains a piston and a barrier plastic cap that squeezes the cheese through the nozzle when pressed.
Easy Cheese has a cult following, with some considering it a whimsical creation and an invitation to "embrace its playfulness." It has also been the subject of 3D printing experiments on YouTube. Despite its popularity, some have questioned its status as "real cheese," as it fails several criteria of a Cheese Definition Test due to its ingredients and production process.
Easy Cheese has a long history and has undergone several changes since its inception, including a name change from Snack Mate to Easy Cheese in 1984. Over the years, it has been available in various flavours, including Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Cheddar 'n Bacon, American, Pimento, and Nacho. While some of these varieties have been discontinued, Easy Cheese continues to be a beloved product by many, with a dedicated fan base.
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Its unique texture and consistency are a result of its distinct ingredients and manufacturing process
Easy Cheese, the infamous spray cheese, has a unique texture and consistency that sets it apart from traditional cheese products. Its distinct characteristics are a result of its specific ingredients and manufacturing process, which involve a combination of science and technology.
Firstly, let's delve into the ingredients that contribute to the unique qualities of Easy Cheese. Water plays a crucial role in achieving the desired texture. It provides the necessary moisture content in processed cheese spreads, allowing for a more stable emulsion. This stability is further enhanced by emulsifying agents, which reduce the surface tension between hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules, resulting in a uniform cheese spread that remains intact during storage. Sodium alginate, another key ingredient, contributes to the pseudoplastic behaviour of Easy Cheese. It interacts with casein and salts to form a gel-like network, providing structure and integrity to the product.
The manufacturing process of Easy Cheese also plays a significant role in its texture and consistency. The product is packaged in a metal can filled with air and topped with a plastic cap and flexible nozzle. When the cheese is extruded through the nozzle, it exhibits pseudoplastic behaviour, behaving more like a fluid due to the decrease in viscosity caused by the shear rate. This unique behaviour can be modelled using the Herschel-Bulkley Model, which describes the relationship between shear rate, shear stress, and viscosity in non-Newtonian fluids.
Additionally, the production of Easy Cheese involves a specific sequence of steps. Milk, the primary ingredient in cheese, is heated and curdled, causing a change in consistency. The cheesemakers then remove the watery whey and add salt to the curds. This process is repeated, and finally, the casein clumps are pressed into moulds and left to age. The specific ingredients and manufacturing techniques used for Easy Cheese contribute to its distinctive texture and consistency, setting it apart from traditional cheese preparations.
Easy Cheese, with its unique texture and consistency, has sparked curiosity and experimentation, such as 3D printing, showcasing the versatility and intrigue surrounding this innovative product.
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Frequently asked questions
Easy Cheese is the best invention because it is convenient and easy to use. It is a processed cheese spread that comes in a can with a nozzle, making it simple to add a squirt of cheese to any dish. It is also available in multiple flavours, including Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, and American.
The key ingredients in Easy Cheese include Cheddar Cheese, cow's milk, sorbic acid (a preservative), annatto (a natural colouring agent), enzymes, cheese cultures, emulsifiers, canola oil, and sodium alginate. These ingredients come together to create a uniform cheese spread with a distinctive texture and a long shelf life.
Easy Cheese stands out from other cheese products due to its unique packaging and delivery system. It is packaged in a metal can filled with air and topped with a plastic cap and flexible nozzle. The can uses a piston and plastic barrier to prevent the cheese from mixing with a propellant, resulting in a thick string of cheese rather than a fine mist.
Over the years, Easy Cheese has offered a range of flavours, some of which have been discontinued but are still fondly remembered. These include Pimento, French Onion, Cheddar Blue Cheese, Shrimp Cocktail, Nacho, Pizza, and Cheddar 'n Bacon.
Easy Cheese is a controversial invention because it blurs the lines between convenience and cheese purism. Some people consider it a disgrace, more suitable for science experiments than consumption. However, it has also gained a cult following, with devoted fans who appreciate its playful and whimsical nature.
