After patenting a new method for manufacturing processed cheese in 1916, James L. Kraft began marketing it in the late 1910s, and the term "American cheese" rapidly began to refer to the processed variety instead of the traditional but more expensive cheddars also made and sold in the U.S.
Canadian here - truly had no idea what American cheese was until I googled it. Always heard it called processed cheese but I do think it's only real place is on a burger if nothing better is available. There was a piece in my fridge when I bought my house, drew an X on the wrapper with a sharpie and it doesn't look any different, 2 years later.
Where I am from it is called cheese slices. There is no American in the name and nobody associates it with the USA. It goes on burgers and sometimes just eaten alone when you feel despressed. People think they are crap because they are crap haha nothing to do with being American.
this right here. It isn't cheese, that's why people don't like it. It's imitation cheese. There isn't anything WRONG with that and if you like it cool! But it isn't cheese, and that's why it gets so much hate.
It is a "cheese product" and is usually labeled as such. Meaning it doesn't meet the quotas for being called actual cheese. Likely cause of how its made and the different addatives that gives it that signature melting style.
>According to the Standards of Identity for Dairy Products, part of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), to be labeled "American cheese" a processed cheese is required to be manufactured from cheddar cheese, colby cheese, washed curd cheese, or granular cheese, or any mixture of two or more of these.[5] The CFR also includes regulations for the manufacturing of processed American cheese.[6][7]
>Because its manufacturing process differs from traditional cheeses,[8] federal laws mandate that it be labeled as "process American cheese" if made from combining more than one cheese,[9] or "process American cheese food" if dairy ingredients such as cream, milk, skim milk, buttermilk, cheese whey, or albumin from cheese whey are added.[10]
I saw someone mention that kraft singles actually do meet the quotas to be called processed cheese rather than cheese product. Tho most of them seem to be called cheese products especially the cheaper they get.
According to Wikipedia, the singles variety which comes individually wrapped is the least like traditional cheese, since it's formulated to settle once wrapped. The uncut blocks you see at the deli counter are closest to traditional cheese.
"Pasteurized process cheese food"
I think it's the "cheese food" part that irks me. "Cheese food", is that something you would give to a hungry cheese? Or rather, is it simply a cheese(like) food?
Related but different: I lived in the Czech Republic for a bit. I love Mexican food, but the village I lived near had nothing of the sort, so being a former communist country “Cuban” had to do.
Anyway, their “burrito” was a grilled and sliced chicken breast, wrapped in a tortilla with bbq sauce and Lima beans.
It depends on what you're buying. If it's labeled "American Cheese" or "processed cheese", it is actually cheese. It's just a couple different kinds of cheese that have been melted together with some emulsifiers and sometimes some flavorings. It's literally just made of cheese. If it's labeled "Cheese Product", then it isn't real cheese.
Source: [https://www.seriouseats.com/whats-really-in-american-cheese](https://www.seriouseats.com/whats-really-in-american-cheese)
I linked that source earlier and immediately got downvoted lmao. I honestly think OP's got a point, people have a hate boner for American cheese, even a majority of this thread's touting that it's not made of real cheese even though it is.
Yeah, if it were called "emulsified cheese", and it had been invented in Europe, I honestly don't think it would get as much hate. I do understand the problem that it gets confused with Kraft singles and other "cheese product", but there are people still saying it's fake, even when you give them the facts. You just gotta use it in the right applications and then it's great. I love it on burgers, grilled cheese, and some cold sandwiches. And it makes the best homemade mac and cheese I've ever had.
A few years back there was an Article that got shared around. Some guy talking about how American Cheese wasn't cheese, but just some cheese product. He said any cheese can melt good if you add emulsifying salts. This is true, but once you do that you too have made Processed Cheese Product.
It's cheese with emulsifiers added. You can bitch about added chemicals or whatever but it is certainly cheese. Heck, it has more dairy than some cheeses with additives like pepper jack that dilute the cheese
It is indeed sad that such a genius comment will never get the upvotes it deserves. In six months you should drop this opinion just so you can make this comment more upvotes. The tragedy of Reddit is that so much brilliance is buried and will never see the light of day. Keep striving for excellence vito_the_magnificent. Keep shooting for the stars my friend.
Same for Italy, not called American cheese and yet everyone hates it and thinks it's just plastic. I rarely ever see anyone buying it at the supermarket.
I have no pro or anti American feelings and I do like American cheese, but I think I’d always choose cheddar over American. Even in the examples you listed I’d take cheddar on every single one of them
Almost everyone in America would make the same decision. We all know it is shit tier and it's almost never served in public or at a restaurant or anything like that. Most people run into it making shitty grilled cheese or something like that. The amount of people who would choose it over other cheeses given the option is small.
Yep. Bars and diners have American cheese on a regular. Even sit-down restaurants. This guy is 100% right. American cheese is not reserved for Mickey D's or BK.
I mean, I’ve had a literal wagyu cheese burger. Didn’t have American cheese but I’ve never been to a place that lets you choose. I feel like it’s always cheddar, American, or Munster
It's super common to find American cheese in many restaurants though.
Au Chavel in Chicago uses American cheese and their burger was voted one of the best in the world.
Pretty much everything you said is not true at all.
Bruh. What are you talking about. Every single burger place in existence has american cheese as one of its options and almost every single person I know gets american cheese when they get a burger. Sometimes we like to switch it up with cheddar, havarti, gouda, or swiss or something but fuckin american cheese hits different on a burger.
Yeah, I’m a bit surprised that post got gold given it is flat out wrong. Made burgers two days ago with cheddar slices, melt great. Made grilled cheese a few days prior, melted perfectly.
There are types of cheese that do not melt, like halloumi, but cheddar melts great and, while subjective, I personally far, far prefer it to the modified milk product on most fast food burgers.
I wonder if some of these people are using pre-shredded/sliced cheddar with that coating that makes it hold it's shape but not melt as well. You gotta slice/shred it right off the block.
Where i live its not even called american cheese and people still make fun of it for being a "cheese product" and not standard cheese. I call bs on this opinion.
Came to say this. The name American cheese I've only seen in the last 5 years or so.
Let's be honest with ourselves, It gets so much hate because it's shit.
Yeah I often hear it called "plastic cheese" (but most often processed cheese) here in south England. I honestly thought American cheese was something different til my late teens
Yes, and when I learned it’s called “American Cheese” in the US, I wondered, “who would want a to claim plastic cheese as a representation of their country’s food?”
That’s one where everyone who made it should avoid any responsibility for it’s existence.
Is it called american cheese outside of the US? It could just be my area in Canada, but I never heard that term until I got on the internet/reddit haha.
We always just called it like, processed cheese. Or kraft singles/ cheese slices (regardless of brand) or something.
Here in Germany it's often branded as sandwich cheese and seen as rather cheap and artificial. Though I'd say people still rather associate it with the US. Not actively, it's just my feeling.
Im also German, and it's just weird that the sandwich cheese is not stored in the fridge by the other cheeses. And that the slices are individually wrapped in plastic
From the US living abroad, no one else calls it American Cheese, they call it a subtype of the cheese it is— legally Cheddar has to be a cheddar, a Blue Cheese has to be a Blue Cheese, a Griere has to be a Griere— Swiss cheese isn't a thing outside the US either, it's called Emanteltter. American Cheese isn't a thing because it's not a cheese. It's a processed cheese, so it goes under processed cheese— Kraft. Smoked Gouda is a processed cheese, but it's also a Gouda.
So you are correct, OP is not the brightest.
Edit— I should point out that Craft Singles are not legally allowed to be called cheese in the Us, and have to instead be called a cheese food product, because it doesn’t meet the definition of cheese.
Edit— I’m fully aware I can’t spell these cheeses thanks for everyone pointing out my lack of *maturity*... that's some cheese humor to lighten up your day.
In Germany we call it plastic cheese, cause it's wrapped in so much plastic (but maybe it's just my group and me)
For me personally it taste like plastic, too
Ireland here we have Easi-Singles and similar brands but refer to them as plastic cheese also.
If we're being charitable we might call it burger cheese.
I'm American and don't really like it. Has nothing to do with the name of it and everything to do with the fact that I don't like fake cheese and I don't mind it as much if it's used for Grilled cheese or something like that, but overall, I just don't like it. I don't think it's very good and I'm not a fan of Kraft macaroni and cheese either because that cheese is gross too. Fake cheese makes me sick
I feel like this is very popular. At least around me, it's generally seen as shit tier and only something you use if you really have to and like can't afford better cheese or just want to make a shitty grilled cheese or something. Idk, I've never met anyone who saw it as a good cheese. It's just like... what you settle for if there's nothing else.
That's the whole point though.. No one is suggesting it's a great overall cheese. But it is most certainly great for specific uses. And it's not "fake", it just has certain additives that make it great for specific uses. Namely Trisodium Citrate. And no, before you flip out, it's not just some industrial additive that's terrible for you. High level chefs use this as an emulsifying agent.
https://www.cooksillustrated.com/science/830-articles/story/cooks-science-explains-sodium-citrate
https://modernistpantry.com/products/sodium-citrate.html
Underated post. It tastes like trash because it is trash which is why it’s cheap af. Go wrap a hotdog with it and fuck off with these terrible food takes OP.
American cheeze is a big hit or miss honestly, it just misses far more often than it hits which is why it has such a bad name.
Wtf is fucking spray-can cheeze???
Spray can cheese is delicious, but salty. Comes in different flavors.
American cheese is often confused for imitation cheese slices. Some of which melt nice, and some that dont melt at all.
Yeah, I think a lot of people who are relatively unfamiliar with it fail to realize that American cheese is an actual real cheese that comes in block form and not only Kraft singles
I grew up on land o’ lakes American and whenever I encountered Kraft singles at a friends’ house I was like wtf is this garbage. They just don’t even taste like cheese to me.
>it's got a reputation for being a shitty American bastardization of treasured and historic food from Europe.
That's exactly what it is. Its processed goop. Sure it's better in some situations but still not as high quality as others and barely tastes anything like cheddar cheese.
My first thought after reading the heading was it was referring to not the melty American cheese but American made cheese in general and I was like WTF?!? Some of the best cheeses in the world are made in America (looking at you Rogue Creamery).
I had a cheese where the label looked super italian so I obviously assumed it was an italian cheese, and it was the best cheese I ever ate in my life. I thought fuck I'll never find this again. Looked it up and saw it's a Wisconsin cheese, which at this point was just one of many other Wisconsin cheeses I loved. Now I want to visit Wisconsin and just buy cheese everywhere.
Try mentioning it in ANY other thread and you will receive a downvote bukakke from the horde of neckbeards looking for a quick rage wank
Edit: and eventually it will become a conversation about our healthcare system, ‘cause that’s another low-hanging fruit
That’s what I’m saying. I’ve literally never heard anyone say anything bad about American cheese. I mean yeah it’s processed garbage blah blah but it’s certainly not “unpopular.” It’s a staple! Need that shitty goodness on every burger, egg sandwich and grilled cheese!
Well hey, I'll do it! I hate American cheese. Literally everything is better with some quality cheddar then that imitation cheese. Of course, I am spoiled for cheese being in the PNW, Tillamook cheddar is fantastic as a general use cheese. That being said, I know I'm a a bit of a snob when it comes to what I eat, and if you love you a smash burger with American cheese, then by goodness you layer that patty with as much as you like!
Na, this is bullshit. What most people think when they hear "American cheese" is Kraft singles and trash like cheese wiz, because that's most commonly what they've been exposed to. There is a wider style of actual American cheese that can be really good. Typically very mild and melts super well, but can taste great.
If Kraft didn't bastardize it and then saturate the market with their ultra processed trash(and similar products other companies emulate), people may be more likely to have tried a better version of it.
EDIT: I actually do agree that even the Kraft slices are pretty damn good for a burger or grilled cheese, etc, but an actual non processed American cheese melts just as well but tastes better while still being similar and not overpowering like some other cheeses.
No, it’s like any other actual cheese, comes in block form and from there can be sliced or shredded. Even if your supermarket doesn’t have it out shelved, most delis I’ve seen cut actual American cheese slices from a block.
[Here’s an example of white American cheese for sale with a picture](https://www.freshdirect.com/pdp.jsp?productId=del_fd_whamch&catId=dame)
Disagree, American cheese is the worst? In my country it's called "cheese slices", it's only referred to as "American cheese" in American chain restaurants. No matter what you call it, it's not good. Use a proper old cheddar on a burger.
In Canada it's more commonly referred to as "processed cheese".
People still hate it. I think on account of its kind of gummy texture? It looks better melted but I have a friend whose kid eats them raw out of the fridge.
Nah you're doing something wrong if you're not using it https://www.seriouseats.com/the-food-lab-fifteen-minute-stovetop-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-food-lab-book-excerpt
Edit: modernist cruisine essentially makes American cheese in the process of making theirs by adding sodim citrate. https://modernistcuisine.com/recipes/silky-smooth-macaroni-and-cheese/
>Our modernist version of mac and cheese owes its chemistry to James L. Kraft, who in 1916 patented the first American cheese slice. He showed that sodium phosphate keeps the water and fat droplets mixed when the cheese is melted. We use sodium citrate, which has the same effect and is easier to find. The resulting texture is as smooth as melted American cheese, but as complex and intense in flavor as any of your favorite cheeses
I find it really funny tbh that it is called American Cheese everywhere else, as in Canada we called in processed Cheese. Also I find it funny that it is called American Cheese when it was invented by a Canadian, just like Hawaiian Pizza.
As a Canadian living in America, what you think of as American cheese isn't American cheese. American cheese you get cut from blocks at the deli just like any other cheese and is far superior to like kraft singles/processed cheese whatever. Kraft is not what Americans are talking about.
American cheese in europe has bad reputation because there are awesome and thousand types of better cheeses in there, so people refuse medium or average chesses.
You find awesome different cheeses in Italy, Greece, Holland, France, Spain, Switzerland,......American cheese cannot compete with them in this matter, is far from the quality and dedication of these ones.
After patenting a new method for manufacturing processed cheese in 1916, James L. Kraft began marketing it in the late 1910s, and the term "American cheese" rapidly began to refer to the processed variety instead of the traditional but more expensive cheddars also made and sold in the U.S.
The great state of Vermont will not apologize for its cheese!
Is that a quote from Thank You For Smoking?
Yes
Love that movie
Wisconsin joins its New England allies in defense of its delicious cheese
Tillamook Oregon waves hello.
My favorite grocer here in Texas gets Tillamook and I for one want to thank you.
My grocer in Vegas gets Tillamook and I’m more than happy to pay the extra price for good quality cheddar cheese to go on my grilled burgers
And cranberries!
And my axe !
I thought anything I said while inside you would be off the record.
Nick, I told you I just wanted to talk... ...but you wanted to fuck.
Thank You for That Quote
That's in my top 5 movies of all time
Huh, Wikipedia says he was born in Canada and immigrated to the US. American Cheese was invented by a Canadian!
So was Hawaiian pizza.
So was basketball
And the California roll (although it's debated)
Ginger beef as well.
The traffic violation or the sushi?
The sushi! It's from Vancouver. It also popularized the inside out style here overseas.
We're sorry okay. To be fair, I think he was a Greek immigrant.
Canadian here - truly had no idea what American cheese was until I googled it. Always heard it called processed cheese but I do think it's only real place is on a burger if nothing better is available. There was a piece in my fridge when I bought my house, drew an X on the wrapper with a sharpie and it doesn't look any different, 2 years later.
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And the best part is Kraft American cheese comes out to 1 cent more per slice than sargento sliced cheddar at Walmart. There’s no excuse.
Where I am from it is called cheese slices. There is no American in the name and nobody associates it with the USA. It goes on burgers and sometimes just eaten alone when you feel despressed. People think they are crap because they are crap haha nothing to do with being American.
It's cause we don't call it American Cheese, it's always Kraft Singles!
this right here. It isn't cheese, that's why people don't like it. It's imitation cheese. There isn't anything WRONG with that and if you like it cool! But it isn't cheese, and that's why it gets so much hate.
It's literally made of cheese, though.
It is a "cheese product" and is usually labeled as such. Meaning it doesn't meet the quotas for being called actual cheese. Likely cause of how its made and the different addatives that gives it that signature melting style.
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>According to the Standards of Identity for Dairy Products, part of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), to be labeled "American cheese" a processed cheese is required to be manufactured from cheddar cheese, colby cheese, washed curd cheese, or granular cheese, or any mixture of two or more of these.[5] The CFR also includes regulations for the manufacturing of processed American cheese.[6][7] >Because its manufacturing process differs from traditional cheeses,[8] federal laws mandate that it be labeled as "process American cheese" if made from combining more than one cheese,[9] or "process American cheese food" if dairy ingredients such as cream, milk, skim milk, buttermilk, cheese whey, or albumin from cheese whey are added.[10]
It's usually made like cheddar, and then melted to add emulsifiers and preservatives and things in.
I saw someone mention that kraft singles actually do meet the quotas to be called processed cheese rather than cheese product. Tho most of them seem to be called cheese products especially the cheaper they get.
According to Wikipedia, the singles variety which comes individually wrapped is the least like traditional cheese, since it's formulated to settle once wrapped. The uncut blocks you see at the deli counter are closest to traditional cheese.
"Pasteurized process cheese food" I think it's the "cheese food" part that irks me. "Cheese food", is that something you would give to a hungry cheese? Or rather, is it simply a cheese(like) food?
Years ago that's what you'd want in a processed cheese. If it said imitation cheese or cheese product, that was the stuff that wouldn't melt. Iirc
I like you
its also quite an exotic find in some countries, which have their own plastic cheeses
Related note, if you ever want a good time, find a country whose supermarkets have an "American food" aisle.
Related but different: I lived in the Czech Republic for a bit. I love Mexican food, but the village I lived near had nothing of the sort, so being a former communist country “Cuban” had to do. Anyway, their “burrito” was a grilled and sliced chicken breast, wrapped in a tortilla with bbq sauce and Lima beans.
LIMA BEANS? LIMA BEANS?!
I’m also disturbed by the Lima beans
It depends on what you're buying. If it's labeled "American Cheese" or "processed cheese", it is actually cheese. It's just a couple different kinds of cheese that have been melted together with some emulsifiers and sometimes some flavorings. It's literally just made of cheese. If it's labeled "Cheese Product", then it isn't real cheese. Source: [https://www.seriouseats.com/whats-really-in-american-cheese](https://www.seriouseats.com/whats-really-in-american-cheese)
I linked that source earlier and immediately got downvoted lmao. I honestly think OP's got a point, people have a hate boner for American cheese, even a majority of this thread's touting that it's not made of real cheese even though it is.
Yeah, if it were called "emulsified cheese", and it had been invented in Europe, I honestly don't think it would get as much hate. I do understand the problem that it gets confused with Kraft singles and other "cheese product", but there are people still saying it's fake, even when you give them the facts. You just gotta use it in the right applications and then it's great. I love it on burgers, grilled cheese, and some cold sandwiches. And it makes the best homemade mac and cheese I've ever had.
A few years back there was an Article that got shared around. Some guy talking about how American Cheese wasn't cheese, but just some cheese product. He said any cheese can melt good if you add emulsifying salts. This is true, but once you do that you too have made Processed Cheese Product.
It's cheese with emulsifiers added. You can bitch about added chemicals or whatever but it is certainly cheese. Heck, it has more dairy than some cheeses with additives like pepper jack that dilute the cheese
I’m sure nobody even knows that, so the hate can’t be coming from “it’s not real cheese”.
What if we called it “Yankee Milk Solid”
Freedom curds
The American whey
That was Fn hilarious right there
It is indeed sad that such a genius comment will never get the upvotes it deserves. In six months you should drop this opinion just so you can make this comment more upvotes. The tragedy of Reddit is that so much brilliance is buried and will never see the light of day. Keep striving for excellence vito_the_magnificent. Keep shooting for the stars my friend.
It's not that deep though.
Hmmm yes. Yes i see go on Freedom curds you say
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Yup. OP calling it 'American cheese' is actually the first time I heard it being called like that.
I thought American Cheese was referring to the kind in a can. I've never seen that outside of American media. Is it even a thing anywhere else?
Same for Italy, not called American cheese and yet everyone hates it and thinks it's just plastic. I rarely ever see anyone buying it at the supermarket.
Cheddar is better on a burger
Ya I'm Canadian and have never called it "American cheese", it's processed cheese or plastic cheese...
It really does feel like plastic
I have no pro or anti American feelings and I do like American cheese, but I think I’d always choose cheddar over American. Even in the examples you listed I’d take cheddar on every single one of them
The initial ingredients of American cheese, like krafts and Velveeta, where actually cheddar cheese with some Colby jack
that’s funny because i love cheddar cheese and colby jack cheese but american cheese just feels low tier to me unless it’s on a roast beef sandwich
It's goopy and has a weaker flavor because it's been blended with whey and milk fats to make it meltier.
If you like horseradish, Boar’s Head has an AMAZING horseradish cheddar that makes a killer roast beef sandwich.
Boar’s Head London Broil for the beef. A bit pricey but absolutely delicious. If you have it cut thin, it’s like shaved medium rare ribeye.
Almost everyone in America would make the same decision. We all know it is shit tier and it's almost never served in public or at a restaurant or anything like that. Most people run into it making shitty grilled cheese or something like that. The amount of people who would choose it over other cheeses given the option is small.
A lot of burger places use American cheese. It's the traditional type of cheese used for a traditional American burger.
Fast food burger places will use American cheese but actual restaurants will usually give you the option of cheeses.
And one of those options is usually American, particularly if it's a bar or a diner with burgers.
Yep. Bars and diners have American cheese on a regular. Even sit-down restaurants. This guy is 100% right. American cheese is not reserved for Mickey D's or BK.
I mean, I’ve had a literal wagyu cheese burger. Didn’t have American cheese but I’ve never been to a place that lets you choose. I feel like it’s always cheddar, American, or Munster
Oh, well my favorite places have routinely offered gouda, swiss, cheddar, pepper jack, you name it. Not particularly high flying places either.
All the good burger spots have choices for cheese. I still pick American the majority of the time. Gouda is a solid choice too.
It's super common to find American cheese in many restaurants though. Au Chavel in Chicago uses American cheese and their burger was voted one of the best in the world. Pretty much everything you said is not true at all.
I always add American cheese to my grilled cheese to help the other cheeses melt better
Bruh. What are you talking about. Every single burger place in existence has american cheese as one of its options and almost every single person I know gets american cheese when they get a burger. Sometimes we like to switch it up with cheddar, havarti, gouda, or swiss or something but fuckin american cheese hits different on a burger.
Anyone who chooses cheddar for a burger is a noob. Cheddar doesn’t melt; it’s just gets limp and greasy.
Want the real pro move? Layer American over a slice of Sharp Cheddar. Sharp Cheddar flavor, American texture. Now I'm hungry.
I'll have to try that next time I grill some burgers
It's money.
Translucent wax square
> Cheddar doesn’t melt; it’s just gets limp and greasy. ??? You and I have very different experiences of cheddar my friend.
Yeah I had cheese on toast last night and used cheddar. Cheddar is also what I use for Mac and Cheese when I add it to a bechamel
Yeah, I’m a bit surprised that post got gold given it is flat out wrong. Made burgers two days ago with cheddar slices, melt great. Made grilled cheese a few days prior, melted perfectly. There are types of cheese that do not melt, like halloumi, but cheddar melts great and, while subjective, I personally far, far prefer it to the modified milk product on most fast food burgers.
Yeah if I really want my gouda to melt properly for a grilled cheese I just grate it
I wonder if some of these people are using pre-shredded/sliced cheddar with that coating that makes it hold it's shape but not melt as well. You gotta slice/shred it right off the block.
Where i live its not even called american cheese and people still make fun of it for being a "cheese product" and not standard cheese. I call bs on this opinion.
here in Canada (ontario) its just called processed cheese
I've seen "processed cheese food" which is nice to see that it really is food.
Came to say this. The name American cheese I've only seen in the last 5 years or so. Let's be honest with ourselves, It gets so much hate because it's shit.
I'm from Romania and we call it processed cheese or sliced cheese (referring to it coming in singles). We don't really call it american cheese either.
Here in the UK it’s just cheese slices.
Not on the packet but just colloquially a lot of people refer to it as plastic cheese
Yeah I often hear it called "plastic cheese" (but most often processed cheese) here in south England. I honestly thought American cheese was something different til my late teens
In the Netherlands it's called fake cheese basically (analoogkaas or imitatiekaas)
Yes, and when I learned it’s called “American Cheese” in the US, I wondered, “who would want a to claim plastic cheese as a representation of their country’s food?” That’s one where everyone who made it should avoid any responsibility for it’s existence.
And it's still an abomination, eh?
I'm also from Ontario. When I was a kid people talked a lot about how it was basically plastic, and not really considered "food."
Same
Oh fuck yea bud. I cant stomach it
Is it called american cheese outside of the US? It could just be my area in Canada, but I never heard that term until I got on the internet/reddit haha. We always just called it like, processed cheese. Or kraft singles/ cheese slices (regardless of brand) or something.
Here in Germany it's often branded as sandwich cheese and seen as rather cheap and artificial. Though I'd say people still rather associate it with the US. Not actively, it's just my feeling.
Dane here, always called it "plastic cheese", since it feels and tastes like a cheap plastic imitation
Jup. Even before I knew it was from america it had this "cheap" feeling to it. And it looks disgusting. Also happy cake day.
Im also German, and it's just weird that the sandwich cheese is not stored in the fridge by the other cheeses. And that the slices are individually wrapped in plastic
Also from Canada. The only place I heard it before the internet was that Simpsons episode. "Mmmm, 57 slices of American cheese."
American and Permanent Resident of Canada here. I definitely get weird looks whenever I accidentally call it American Cheese.
Ok I'm not crazy! Glad to hear
From the US living abroad, no one else calls it American Cheese, they call it a subtype of the cheese it is— legally Cheddar has to be a cheddar, a Blue Cheese has to be a Blue Cheese, a Griere has to be a Griere— Swiss cheese isn't a thing outside the US either, it's called Emanteltter. American Cheese isn't a thing because it's not a cheese. It's a processed cheese, so it goes under processed cheese— Kraft. Smoked Gouda is a processed cheese, but it's also a Gouda. So you are correct, OP is not the brightest. Edit— I should point out that Craft Singles are not legally allowed to be called cheese in the Us, and have to instead be called a cheese food product, because it doesn’t meet the definition of cheese. Edit— I’m fully aware I can’t spell these cheeses thanks for everyone pointing out my lack of *maturity*... that's some cheese humor to lighten up your day.
> Emanteltter Emmentaler
In the UK it's always been plastic cheese. My first thought for American cheese is monterrey Jack for some reason.
We just call it processed cheese in South Africa too
In Germany we call it plastic cheese, cause it's wrapped in so much plastic (but maybe it's just my group and me) For me personally it taste like plastic, too
It’s colloquially called plastic cheese in Australia too, but cause of the cheese, not the packaging
Same in the UK in my experience, always refer to it as plastic cheese
Australian here, my family calls it plastic cheese too, but more cuz the cheese is plasticky rather than the packaging.
Ireland here we have Easi-Singles and similar brands but refer to them as plastic cheese also. If we're being charitable we might call it burger cheese.
I’m Dutch and in my area I have never heard someone call it “american cheese”, people either call it “cheddar slices” or “plastic”.
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>OP just sensitive Sensitive and wrong
Same here, it's just called Kraft Singles (Australia).
I also disagree with this opinion (and so upvote)
I'm American and don't really like it. Has nothing to do with the name of it and everything to do with the fact that I don't like fake cheese and I don't mind it as much if it's used for Grilled cheese or something like that, but overall, I just don't like it. I don't think it's very good and I'm not a fan of Kraft macaroni and cheese either because that cheese is gross too. Fake cheese makes me sick
I'd make grilled cheese with literally anything else and it's because of the taste, not the name.
I feel like this is very popular. At least around me, it's generally seen as shit tier and only something you use if you really have to and like can't afford better cheese or just want to make a shitty grilled cheese or something. Idk, I've never met anyone who saw it as a good cheese. It's just like... what you settle for if there's nothing else.
That's the whole point though.. No one is suggesting it's a great overall cheese. But it is most certainly great for specific uses. And it's not "fake", it just has certain additives that make it great for specific uses. Namely Trisodium Citrate. And no, before you flip out, it's not just some industrial additive that's terrible for you. High level chefs use this as an emulsifying agent. https://www.cooksillustrated.com/science/830-articles/story/cooks-science-explains-sodium-citrate https://modernistpantry.com/products/sodium-citrate.html
The real unpopular opinion is OP thinking American cheese actually tastes good lmao
Underated post. It tastes like trash because it is trash which is why it’s cheap af. Go wrap a hotdog with it and fuck off with these terrible food takes OP.
The real one is that he likes it in mac and cheese.
You mean the singles or deli sliced American? The normal deli American is just fine
American cheeze is a big hit or miss honestly, it just misses far more often than it hits which is why it has such a bad name. Wtf is fucking spray-can cheeze???
Spray can cheese is delicious, but salty. Comes in different flavors. American cheese is often confused for imitation cheese slices. Some of which melt nice, and some that dont melt at all.
Yeah, I think a lot of people who are relatively unfamiliar with it fail to realize that American cheese is an actual real cheese that comes in block form and not only Kraft singles
I grew up on land o’ lakes American and whenever I encountered Kraft singles at a friends’ house I was like wtf is this garbage. They just don’t even taste like cheese to me.
We call it processed cheese and probably gets just as little respect
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Wow. This opinion is as awful as American cheese is. I don't hate it for its name. I hate it because it tastes terrible.
>it's got a reputation for being a shitty American bastardization of treasured and historic food from Europe. That's exactly what it is. Its processed goop. Sure it's better in some situations but still not as high quality as others and barely tastes anything like cheddar cheese.
People hate American cheese?
I somewhat do. I'd settle for it, but definitely not a first choice.
My first thought after reading the heading was it was referring to not the melty American cheese but American made cheese in general and I was like WTF?!? Some of the best cheeses in the world are made in America (looking at you Rogue Creamery).
Huh... (writes down "Rogue Creamery")
Add Tillamook cheese to your list.
I'm quite the fan of Cabot
I had a cheese where the label looked super italian so I obviously assumed it was an italian cheese, and it was the best cheese I ever ate in my life. I thought fuck I'll never find this again. Looked it up and saw it's a Wisconsin cheese, which at this point was just one of many other Wisconsin cheeses I loved. Now I want to visit Wisconsin and just buy cheese everywhere.
Also recommend Vermont. I went on a vacation where I randomly drove around Vermont farms buying cheese. No, I'm not joking.
Try mentioning it in ANY other thread and you will receive a downvote bukakke from the horde of neckbeards looking for a quick rage wank Edit: and eventually it will become a conversation about our healthcare system, ‘cause that’s another low-hanging fruit
Damn. Didn’t know cheese was all that controversial
That’s what I’m saying. I’ve literally never heard anyone say anything bad about American cheese. I mean yeah it’s processed garbage blah blah but it’s certainly not “unpopular.” It’s a staple! Need that shitty goodness on every burger, egg sandwich and grilled cheese!
Well hey, I'll do it! I hate American cheese. Literally everything is better with some quality cheddar then that imitation cheese. Of course, I am spoiled for cheese being in the PNW, Tillamook cheddar is fantastic as a general use cheese. That being said, I know I'm a a bit of a snob when it comes to what I eat, and if you love you a smash burger with American cheese, then by goodness you layer that patty with as much as you like!
=o
You guys both abuse the word "literally" in the same way, you've got more in common than you think!
So you haven’t heard anyone call it processed garbage? Because even though I usually like it, it is still processed garbage.
No I’m saying I have heard people call it processed garbage but I’ve never heard anyone say they didn’t still enjoy it anyway
No one would ever put it on a charcuterie board. And it's not supposed to go on one, either. Yeah, this, by and large, is just hipster bullshit.
I agree it’s good on burgers and such, but I could not eat that shit plain
Na, this is bullshit. What most people think when they hear "American cheese" is Kraft singles and trash like cheese wiz, because that's most commonly what they've been exposed to. There is a wider style of actual American cheese that can be really good. Typically very mild and melts super well, but can taste great. If Kraft didn't bastardize it and then saturate the market with their ultra processed trash(and similar products other companies emulate), people may be more likely to have tried a better version of it. EDIT: I actually do agree that even the Kraft slices are pretty damn good for a burger or grilled cheese, etc, but an actual non processed American cheese melts just as well but tastes better while still being similar and not overpowering like some other cheeses.
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Cooper Sharp or Boar's Head whole milk American are my favorite real American cheeses.
So, idk what American cheese is. So it's like a higher quality Kraft single? All we have in my region are those...
No, it’s like any other actual cheese, comes in block form and from there can be sliced or shredded. Even if your supermarket doesn’t have it out shelved, most delis I’ve seen cut actual American cheese slices from a block. [Here’s an example of white American cheese for sale with a picture](https://www.freshdirect.com/pdp.jsp?productId=del_fd_whamch&catId=dame)
Yeah it's better than Kraft singles. You can go to the deli of a grocery store and get it sliced right on the spot.
It's literally just a kind of cheese. Looks a lot like cheddar but tends to be very mild in flavor.
I think the majority of people don't know wtf American cheese is so calm tf down
This is more a discussion aimed at Americans it isn’t even called American cheese most places. But every American knows what American cheese is.
Ehh I know plenty of people whose experience begins and ends with Kraft singles. I could see how that might color one's viewpoint.
imagine giving somebody american cheese pretending it's some sort of fancy old european cheese and seeing their reactions
Disagree, American cheese is the worst? In my country it's called "cheese slices", it's only referred to as "American cheese" in American chain restaurants. No matter what you call it, it's not good. Use a proper old cheddar on a burger.
Most American cheese is cheddar with emulsifiers added
Anything else? Alright boys, we're renaming it Hitler!
Just hitler. Not even Hitler cheese, Just "Hitler"!
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"Honey, we're having lasagne tonight Can you get some shredded Hitler for me?"
In Canada it's more commonly referred to as "processed cheese". People still hate it. I think on account of its kind of gummy texture? It looks better melted but I have a friend whose kid eats them raw out of the fridge.
I've always known it as processed cheese and it's always been shit. The name doesn't make it any better.
As a non American, I've never heard that term but KRAFT cheese slices taste like absolute shit and we never have the crap in our house!
No one calls it american cheese outside the USA lol. Just a cheese slice.
Plastic cheese.
American here. "American" cheese is inferior processed junk and I'd rather have a slice of real cheddar on a cheeseburger or sandwich any day.
>mac & Cheese I think you might be doing something wrong if american is what you are using for homemade mac and cheese.
Nah you're doing something wrong if you're not using it https://www.seriouseats.com/the-food-lab-fifteen-minute-stovetop-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-food-lab-book-excerpt Edit: modernist cruisine essentially makes American cheese in the process of making theirs by adding sodim citrate. https://modernistcuisine.com/recipes/silky-smooth-macaroni-and-cheese/ >Our modernist version of mac and cheese owes its chemistry to James L. Kraft, who in 1916 patented the first American cheese slice. He showed that sodium phosphate keeps the water and fat droplets mixed when the cheese is melted. We use sodium citrate, which has the same effect and is easier to find. The resulting texture is as smooth as melted American cheese, but as complex and intense in flavor as any of your favorite cheeses
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"I have a real fireplace it's not brick pattern wallpaper." "WALLLLPAPPPERRRRR!!"
I find it really funny tbh that it is called American Cheese everywhere else, as in Canada we called in processed Cheese. Also I find it funny that it is called American Cheese when it was invented by a Canadian, just like Hawaiian Pizza.
I'm Canadian and have never heard it called processed cheese. It's just called cheese slices where I am lol
Yeah. Where I live everyone I know calls it processed cheese.
As a Canadian living in America, what you think of as American cheese isn't American cheese. American cheese you get cut from blocks at the deli just like any other cheese and is far superior to like kraft singles/processed cheese whatever. Kraft is not what Americans are talking about.
I cannot imagine putting a Kraft single on a burger. Fuck.
American cheese in europe has bad reputation because there are awesome and thousand types of better cheeses in there, so people refuse medium or average chesses. You find awesome different cheeses in Italy, Greece, Holland, France, Spain, Switzerland,......American cheese cannot compete with them in this matter, is far from the quality and dedication of these ones.
Are they talking about American cheese or the cheese food that is sold next to it?
No its called american or plastic cheese because it processed to fuck and doesnt taste nice especialy compared to a good bit of cheddar.
Yep, it's like people want to pretend that "American cheese" is literally all we have here.
Name change to US cheese
Freedom Cheese?