# Kraft--\*The\* American Cheese" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 17, 2009, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621 "2009-12-17T07:45:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/41 "2009-12-17T15:32:26Z")
You can take my Kraft cheese singles, but you 'll take my Kraft macaroni and cheese when you pry it from my cold, empty pantry. And yes, I have tried real macaroni and cheese on multiple occasions. ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/42 "2009-12-17T15:33:21Z")
> [@statsman1982](#): > > Really, Kraft marketing person? This tasteless, characterless, unnaturally perfect square slab of chilled cheese slurry is the pinnacle of American innovation? Of course not–it’s aerosol cheese that’s the pinacle of American innovation. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/43 "2009-12-17T15:44:03Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > :smack: Forgot to add - for those who are fans of extruded food and want to extrude some yourselves, consider a [cookie press](http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Cookie-Pro-Ultra-Press/dp/B000I4OJ1E/ref=pd_sbs_k_2). I have a lower-end model of this at home. Insert cookie dough into barrel, add a decorative extruder plate, and click away to get shaped cookies. Find the right consistency of cheese dip and you could probably decorate crackers with this. 😉 No. An extruder can work with heat and pressure to give things like [Cheetos Puffs](http://www.fritolay.com/our-snacks/cheetos-puffs-cheese.html). ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/44 "2009-12-17T15:52:07Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Ro-Tel is a brand of canned diced tomato products, with various chiles and peppers in them. The varieties range from quite mild to fairly hot. It was available starting in at least the 60s, and might have been available earlier, before salsa was even widely known in the US. These days, I prefer to use salsa for an ingredient…but back in the day, I could depend on being able to find Ro-Tel in any supermarket. Ro-Tel was invented in the Rio Grande Valley (from whence my family comes) back in the '50s(ish). When I was a young’n, my family moved to the Dallas area where it was not yet available–so when we’d visit family in south Texas, my mom would always stock up. Now, of course, it is freely available even here in Kentucky, and I keep at least six cans of it on hand at all times. It’s damn near essential. ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/45 "2009-12-17T15:53:12Z")
While I am not qualified to expound on the socio-political implications of what sounds like a pretty funny commercial, I will say that Kraft cheese singles taste like not much at all and that there are better-tasting cheeses made in the US, both mass-produced and made on a small scale. > [@Random\_Design](#): > > um, from a foreigner’s perspective, that’s actually what America does best. That and start wars it can’t finish. :smack: From an American’s perspective, that’s about as reasonable as saying that deep fried Mars bars are what Scotland does best. > [@elbows](#): > > When I was growing up it was labeled cheese, and called cheese. > > Then, the way I heard the story, some university students left a piece out on the top of the fridge and watched, as it totally failed to mold or decay really, instead, turning into an oily piece of hard plastic. > > Eventually they did some sort of research paper on it. Kraft were forced to rename the product as ‘Cheese Food Product’. This is to acknowledge that they started with an actual cheese like material. But technically not really cheese when you’re done the processing. When I was in 5th grade (1980s), we left a variety of foodstuffs out for a few days in order to culture the bacteria, etc. that grew on them. One of the foods was Kraft singles and I can assure you that it was a suitable growth medium for a bunch of disgusting organisms. > [@Lightnin](#): > > On the other hand, the best macaroni and cheese is the Kraft blue box stuff. Now that’s just crazy talk. Why do you hate America? Pistols at dawn, sir. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/46 "2009-12-17T15:54:28Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > No. An extruder can work with heat and pressure to give things like [Cheetos Puffs](http://www.fritolay.com/our-snacks/cheetos-puffs-cheese.html). Hmm. Considering the popularity of “molecular gastronomy” (aka “screwing with food using science and technical toys”) I suspect something like that may be out there for a scale smaller than factory-size. Whether it’s affordable is another matter. I’m still amused by the thought of using a cookie press to decorate crackers with cheese dip/Cheez Whiz. Must be my Wisconsin roots showing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/47 "2009-12-17T16:07:06Z")
I guess much of America wants their fish to not taste fishy and their cheese to not taste cheesy. What makes it different has to be removed. The Lite label should be applied to foods that take the flavor out. Kraft singles are cheese lite. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/48 "2009-12-17T16:26:26Z")
Breed a fish that tastes like beef tenderloin and I’ll eat it. Otherwise you can send it all to third world countries. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/49 "2009-12-17T16:44:54Z")
Are you folks talking about the pre-wrapped singles? If so I agree. But otherwise I find that the Kraft Deluxe American is a very flavorful mild cheddar . It’s not a cheese food product that I’m aware. Just because it’s not sharp does not mean it has a nice flavor. BTW, I like all different kinds of cheese. American is just a mild creamy cheddar. I’ll often get it at the deli. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/50 "2009-12-17T17:05:36Z")
Singles are the individual wrapped slices that they make so soft that it will ooze back together. I like american cheese, just not the singles. ---
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/51 "2009-12-17T17:27:12Z")
After reading some of the responses, I feel I need to clarify something. Obviously, I just can’t write them purty Pit threads as well as others 🙂 It is perfectly reasonable for Kraft to promote American “cheese”. It is a product that, as **Ivn** and others have said, does have some advantages such as melt-ability, and it is indeed technically food. I don’t look down on people who eat American cheese slices, nor do I look down on people who eat Cheetos, drink Diet Rite (hell, I love the raspberry flavor), or eat convenience store burritos. My beef with American “cheese” is tied directly to the **type** of commercial that Kraft is using to promote it. I can’t seem to find it on Youtube, as I said, but for those who haven’t seen it, here’s the message: “Kraft American “cheese” is part of Americana, something to be proud of. It took ingenuity to make such a perfect product. This same ingenuity is part of the reason why America is so great, and in particular, why we made it to the moon [no, I’m not kidding about the space program reference]. America, be proud of the pasteurized processed cheese food that is American cheese. It represents all that is great about this country.” There are other commercials that do this type of thing: attempting to instill pride in something that is really mediocre. And yes, I do see it as a symbol of how Americans are continuing to delude themselves into thinking that this country \*\*was, is, and always will be \*\*the greatest country on Earth, regardless of how mediocre our accomplishments are. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/52 "2009-12-17T17:33:38Z")
> [@statsman1982](#): > > And yes, I do see it as a symbol of how Americans are continuing to delude themselves into thinking that this country \*\*was, is, and always will be \*\*the greatest country on Earth, regardless of how mediocre our accomplishments are. Oh, STFU. I happen to think, that despite our failings, the U.S. is the greatest country on earth. As much as I admire a lot of other countries, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Cheese as a symbol of xenophobia is pretty fucking stupid and and surely one of the stupidest things I’ve read on the dope. It’s just a commercial, not social commentary. Stop looking under rocks. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/53 "2009-12-17T17:38:05Z")
You know, there is a difference between the “cheese product” and “real American cheese.” I think Kraft makes both. The Deli-style real American Cheese is not the Velveeta crap, it’s not the fake cheese, it’s real cheese and good in appropriate settings - most notably grilled cheese sandwiches and the occasional cheeseburger (because it melts so well). It’s not my favorite cheese, by any means, nor is it the most flavorful (or the blandest). But no reason to revile it either. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/54 "2009-12-17T17:45:19Z")
> [@THespos](#): > > I’ve never seen this stuff. I confess I was curious enough to read up on it at [Ro-Tel.com](http://Ro-Tel.com) after you mentioned it, Lynn. I’ll look for it next time I’m at the supermarket, though I’m not sure they sell it in NY. If the store carries it, they’ll probably put it next to other canned tomato products, like stewed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste. It will probably have the dip recipe on the back of the can, and yes, you DO need Velveeta to make the dip correctly. Velveeta has the right flavor, texture, and most important, melting ability for the dip. Of course, you need to pick up some corn chips too. Potato chips usually are too fragile for this dip. This can work as a sauce over rice or steamed cruciferous veggies, especially if you have small children. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/55 "2009-12-17T17:45:28Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > You know, there is a difference between the “cheese product” and “real American cheese.” I think Kraft makes both. The Deli-style real American Cheese is not the Velveeta crap, it’s not the fake cheese, it’s real cheese and good in appropriate settings - most notably grilled cheese sandwiches and the occasional cheeseburger (because it melts so well). > > It’s not my favorite cheese, by any means, nor is it the most flavorful (or the blandest). But no reason to revile it either. Yep. That’s what I was saying. No idea why anyone would buy the individualy wrapped slices. But there is nothing wrong with real american cheese. And you can buy it made by Kraft or in the deli. People seem to think that all american cheese is that pre-wrapped crap. It’s not. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/56 "2009-12-17T17:45:28Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Hmm. Considering the popularity of “molecular gastronomy” (aka “screwing with food using science and technical toys”) I suspect something like that may be out there for a scale smaller than factory-size. Whether it’s affordable is another matter. > > I’m still amused by the thought of using a cookie press to decorate crackers with cheese dip/Cheez Whiz. Must be my Wisconsin roots showing. 😃 [EXTRUDO-MANIA with Wolfgang Puck](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk0wznjZezk) ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/57 "2009-12-17T17:47:18Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yep. That’s what I was saying. No idea why anyone would buy the individualy wrapped slices. But there is nothing wrong with real american cheese. And you can buy it made by Kraft or in the deli. People seem to think that all american cheese is that pre-wrapped crap. It’s not. My husband buys the prewrapped stuff because I yell at him when he doesn’t make sure that the cheese wrapper is actually closed when he puts the cheese back in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![Anduinel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Anduinel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduinel)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/58 "2009-12-17T17:48:09Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > :smack: Forgot to add - for those who are fans of extruded food and want to extrude some yourselves, consider a [cookie press](http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Cookie-Pro-Ultra-Press/dp/B000I4OJ1E/ref=pd_sbs_k_2). I have a lower-end model of this at home. Insert cookie dough into barrel, add a decorative extruder plate, and click away to get shaped cookies. I need to find one of these for a certain in-law. **Ferret Herder** , you may have just saved Christmas. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/59 "2009-12-17T17:56:22Z")
I bought an electric cookie press for my spritz cookies a couple decades ago. They are very useful for cookies or if you want to insert a filling into something. I have a ribbon cookie insert that makes really nice flat spritz that I decorate rainbow like. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621/60 "2009-12-17T18:06:49Z")
> [@statsman1982](#): > > My beef with American “cheese” is tied directly to the **type** of commercial that Kraft is using to promote it. :dubious: You watch television? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kraft-the-american-cheese/521621.md?page=4)