# Is The Laughing Cow real cheese? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 15, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811 "2011-08-15T19:02:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/1 "2011-08-15T19:02:06Z")
I had one for the first time a week ago. Not because of that commercial (even though I think the girl is adorable) but because someone handed me a creamy swiss wedge and told me to eat it. I found it quite good. So now I’m eating a wedge of Laughing Cow light garlic and herb. Like squeeze cheese (which I also love), these are far too easy to eat to be real cheese. Even though the package calls them “spreadable cheese wedges”, it’s gotta be processed cheez-fud. What about Baby Bells? Where do they fall in the cheese hierarchy? And, while we’re at it, is it the ingredients or the process that differentiates processed cheese food from real cheese? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/2 "2011-08-15T19:08:09Z")
[Google is your friend](http://www.thelaughingcow.com/products/mini-babybel/). You can go through the products listed on that page for ingredient information. Which is milk, salt, and enzymes for the hard cheeses, and added whey and cream for the spreadable cheeses. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/3 "2011-08-15T19:22:35Z")
If it says “cheese” on the label, it has to meet certain [FTC standards](http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=133). Laughing Cow is billed as cheese, so it means it uses dairy products and meets their definition for that type of cheese they are using. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/4 "2011-08-15T19:23:48Z")
I agree completely. She is adorable. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/5 "2011-08-15T19:56:33Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > [Google is your friend](http://www.thelaughingcow.com/products/mini-babybel/). > > You can go through the products listed on that page for ingredient information. Which is milk, salt, and enzymes for the hard cheeses, and added whey and cream for the spreadable cheeses. Google is not my friend. Google pretends to be my friend and then laughs at me when my back is turned. Google is telling me exactly what the package is telling me and I know packages fudge the truth. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > If it says “cheese” on the label, it has to meet certain [FTC standards](http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=133). Laughing Cow is billed as cheese, so it means it uses dairy products and meets their definition for that type of cheese they are using. If it’s swiss cheese on the package, then how come it doesn’t have holes? Kraft macaroni says it’s the cheesiest but there ain’t no damn cheese in a Kraft dinner. And the FDA site tells me nothing about _why_ something is cheese while something else is processed cheese food. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/6 "2011-08-15T20:15:46Z")
Read the FTC specs again – it says specifically what can be called cheese and what cannot and what ingredients are allowed for each variety. Not all Swiss cheese has holes. Laughing Cow uses real Swiss cheese, though other cheeses are blended in so it is soft instead of hard. “Cheesiest” for Kraft is a slogan, not a description. No where does it say it is cheese; it’s “macaroni and cheese,” which has different requirements. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/7 "2011-08-15T20:18:51Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > And the FDA site tells me nothing about _why_ something is cheese while something else is processed cheese food. What kind of [cheesy legal definition](http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_99/21cfr133_99.html) would you like? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/8 "2011-08-15T20:20:12Z")
I know it marks me as a dairy philistine, but I actually like Laughing Cow cheese. At least, it’ll do until I can get some true Venezuelan Beaver Cheese. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/9 "2011-08-15T21:52:42Z")
For what it costs, I’d hate to think I’m paying that price for fake cheese. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/10 "2011-08-15T21:55:32Z")
I just finished off a round of Laughing Cow. I don’t care whether it’s real cheese or not, I still love it. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/11 "2011-08-15T22:01:04Z")
I frequently find myself wishing I liked Laughing Cow, since it’s the only cheese that’s socially acceptable to just chomp a big lump of as an adult, but I’ve just never liked it. Not that it’s awful, just not quite my thing. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/12 "2011-08-15T23:07:32Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > If it says “cheese” on the label, it has to meet certain [FTC standards](http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=133). Laughing Cow is billed as cheese, so it means it uses dairy products and meets their definition for that type of cheese they are using. Slight nitpik, but those are FDA standards. Since you mentioned FTC twice, I had to point it out. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/13 "2011-08-15T23:14:52Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > I frequently find myself wishing I liked Laughing Cow, since it’s the only cheese that’s socially acceptable to just chomp a big lump of as an adult, but I’ve just never liked it. Not that it’s awful, just not quite my thing. I don’t particularly like the other flavors, but I’m a big fan of the French Onion. Give it a try, it’s pretty delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/14 "2011-08-16T01:04:41Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > I frequently find myself wishing I liked Laughing Cow, since it’s the only cheese that’s socially acceptable to just chomp a big lump of as an adult, but I’ve just never liked it. Not that it’s awful, just not quite my thing. It isn’t socially acceptable to eat cheese as an adult? Could you go into more detail please? I’m feeling suddenly gauche. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/15 "2011-08-16T01:26:22Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > It isn’t socially acceptable to eat cheese as an adult? Could you go into more detail please? I’m feeling suddenly gauche. Well, it doesn’t help that I’m fat. I playing play the role of “Fat Guy Eating Block of Cheese.” I’m not saying it doesn’t _happen_, mind. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/16 "2011-08-16T01:28:39Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Google is not my friend. Google pretends to be my friend and then laughs at me when my back is turned. Google is telling me exactly what the package is telling me and I know packages fudge the truth. > > If it’s swiss cheese on the package, then how come it doesn’t have holes? Kraft macaroni says it’s the cheesiest but there ain’t no damn cheese in a Kraft dinner. And the FDA site tells me nothing about _why_ something is cheese while something else is processed cheese food. Yes, Kraft says it’s the cheesiest. Notice they don’t use the word cheese. The label can’t lie if there are FDA regulations of how you can use a word As for the difference: processed cheese involves taking already made cheese and grinding it up, mixing it with additives, and making another cheese-like product. Real cheese is made from milk and fermenting ingredients. The Wikipedia articles on [processed cheese](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processed_cheese) and just plain [cheese](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese) are rather good. As for what Laughing Cow cheese is: It’s unaged cheese. There’s not enough time for the bubbles to form in the Swiss. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/17 "2011-08-16T01:36:03Z")
Laughing Cow’s cow is laughing because people are uninformed enough to buy the product. It’s cheese, but it’s poorly made and full of air; probably the worse fromage blanc you can buy. Make your own and find out what it’s supposed to taste like. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/18 "2011-08-16T01:49:05Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Laughing Cow’s cow is laughing because people are uninformed enough to buy the product. It’s cheese, but it’s poorly made and full of air; probably the worse fromage blanc you can buy. Make your own and find out what it’s supposed to taste like. I gotta say, I am really not interested in developing my palate (or whatever the terminology is) to the point that I have to _make my own cheese_ in order to truly be satisfied with my cheese flavor nuances. Seriously, I have a lot of crap to get done on a regular basis and cheese-making is just never going to be a priority for me. Also, if this wasn’t enough ammunition for you to judge me as some kind of culinary philistine, I will add that I feel the same way about coffee. If I ever develop a taste for el primo coffee and stop liking Folgers, my grocery budget will go up by some intolerable amount. So I shall continue to like Folgers just fine. On-topic: I am actually quite surprised to find out that Laughing Cow is real cheese. I had assumed it was some sort of Kraft Singles-like “cheese product.” I am intrigued now. ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/19 "2011-08-16T02:24:43Z")
Slightly off-topic: they sell Laughing Cow cheese in Spain in tomato, green pepper, and ham flavors. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811/20 "2011-08-16T14:02:23Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Yes, Kraft says it’s the cheesiest. Notice they don’t use the word cheese. The label can’t lie if there are FDA regulations of how you can use a word > > As for the difference: processed cheese involves taking already made cheese and grinding it up, mixing it with additives, and making another cheese-like product. Real cheese is made from milk and fermenting ingredients. The Wikipedia articles on [processed cheese](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processed_cheese) and just plain [cheese](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese) are rather good. > > As for what Laughing Cow cheese is: It’s unaged cheese. There’s not enough time for the bubbles to form in the Swiss. Thank you for explaining this as if I were an idiot. I am not being sarcastic. I am an idiot and needed this. > [@Chefguy](#): > > Laughing Cow’s cow is laughing because people are uninformed enough to buy the product. It’s cheese, but it’s poorly made and full of air; probably the worse fromage blanc you can buy. Make your own and find out what it’s supposed to taste like. I taste the Cow that Laughs and I spit _sptwee!_. I cannot eat such swill! If it has not passed through the enema’d intestines of an unborn calf, it cannot call itself cheese! O.K., _that_ was sarcastic. Like I said, I like squeeze cheese (cheese in a can) on a cracker occasionally. Kraft individual slices look, feel and taste like plastic to me. Taste. It’s all in our mouths. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-laughing-cow-real-cheese/592811.md?page=2)