# What is the origin of American Cheese? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 6, 2007, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971 "2007-01-06T21:11:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/1 "2007-01-06T21:11:14Z")
While making a cheese steak today I got to wondering if American Cheese really originated in America. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/2 "2007-01-06T22:07:10Z")
Who do you think of when you think about American Cheese? I think of Kraft which happens to be the man, not just the company that invented it in 1916. There were some slightly older variations however. > **[Processed cheese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processed_cheese)** > > Processed cheese (also known as process cheese, cheese food, prepared cheese, or cheese product) is a product made from cheese mixed with an emulsifying agent (actually a calcium chelator). Additional ingredients, such as vegetable oils, unfermented dairy ingredients, salt, food coloring, or sugar may be included. As a result, many flavors, colors, and textures of processed cheese exist. Processed cheese typically contains around 50 to 60% cheese and 40 to 50% other ingredients. > Processed che... ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/3 "2007-01-06T22:53:28Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] Who do you think of when you think about American Cheese?[Processed cheese - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processed_cheese) [/QUOTE] That it goes with _nothing_ other than cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, but it is the _only_ cheese for those magnificent culinary creations, all others **suck.** I’m talking to you Blue, Stilton, Swiss, Mozz, etc. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/4 "2007-01-06T22:59:30Z")
[QUOTE=Operation Ripper] That it goes with nothing other than cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, but it is the only cheese for those magnificent culinary creations, all others suck. [/QUOTE] Pretty great with egg sandwiches and omelets too, again foods that all other suck as well. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/5 "2007-01-06T23:01:20Z")
[QUOTE=kanicbird] Pretty great with egg sandwiches and omelets too, again foods that all other suck as well. [/QUOTE] _agree_ ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/6 "2007-01-06T23:28:59Z")
Cows. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/7 "2007-01-06T23:32:20Z")
I’m amazed to find that particular foodstuff is actually [based on Cheddar](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_cheese). I thought it was some kind of artificial wibbly substance created in a lab. That said, nothing can beat it on a cheeseburger, in a meatball sub, or in a microwaved bagel. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/8 "2007-01-06T23:39:18Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] or in a microwaved bagel. [/QUOTE] Good lord, I have a sack of “everything” Krueggar bagels in there, and a stack of sweet Amercian Cheese. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/9 "2007-01-07T01:58:39Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] I thought it was some kind of artificial wibbly substance created in a lab. [/QUOTE] Having grown up always purchasing delicious White American Cheese fresh sliced at the deli, it saddens me that so many people think American Cheese = Kraft American Cheese individually wrapped slices of processed orange wibly goo. Purchase some freshly sliced American Cheese (White not Yellow) from a corner deli sometime. It’s a different animal altogether. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/10 "2007-01-07T02:53:23Z")
Yes, once again we must fight the ignorance on American chesse. Most people think of American cheese and think Kraft singles, but real American cheese is basically just mild cheddar (though it is processed, but only because it’s a mix of cheeses. It doesn’t have to have anything artificial in it.) Of course, why _anyone_ would want mild cheddar is beyond me. Make it so sharp it cuts my tongue, thank you. The wikipedia articles on [pasturized cheese](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processed_cheese) and [American cheese](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_cheese) explain things furher. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/11 "2007-01-07T02:59:42Z")
One of the things I am proudest of as a father is making sure my children grew up having REAL American cheese on their burgers and grilled sandwiches, not the gooey Kraft singles. They are adults now, and they know the difference. My work here is done. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/12 "2007-01-07T03:09:23Z")
[QUOTE=bienville] Having grown up always purchasing delicious White American Cheese fresh sliced at the deli, it saddens me that so many people think American Cheese = Kraft American Cheese individually wrapped slices of processed orange wibly goo. Purchase some freshly sliced American Cheese (White not Yellow) from a corner deli sometime. It’s a different animal altogether. [/QUOTE] Funny, when I think of American Cheese I think of freshly sliced cheese. We call wrapped slices, wrapped slices. I never even thought of that as American Cheese. My dog won’t even eat it. I guess American Cheese is only called that in the U.S., right? If I was in Canada, what would I ask for? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/13 "2007-01-07T05:14:12Z")
No freaking ugly plastic American pseudocheese is getting anywhere close to my burger or egg! Sharp cheddar all the way. I hate the way that stuff smells when you heat it. Like unwashed feet. I hate the way the outside surface bubbles up like a skin and then blackens (and then _really_ smells). When I was a young kid that was what “cheese” was to me. (For some reason everyone thought kids would like that but not any other cheeses). So I grew up thinking cheese was awful stuff. It’s embarrassing to have _that_ crap designated as the cheese of one’s nation, let me tell you. Why didn’t we embrace, oh I dunno, [hoop cheese](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoop_cheese), or monterey jack, as THE American cheese? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/14 "2007-01-07T05:18:59Z")
American cheese does not have enough flavor to justify opening the package. May as well eat plastic. ---
**Author:** ![tashabot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tashabot/32/6250_2.png) [@tashabot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tashabot)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/15 "2007-01-07T07:57:46Z")
But I like Kraft slices. They’re cheap (in comparison to deli slices, anyway). Granted, I love the fresh-sliced stuff better, but Kraft is so much better than any of the REALLY horrid plastic cheeses out there - just try the Albertsons, Wal-Mart, or Kroger house cheeses sometime. They’re inedible. When I get rich and famous, I’ll splurge on good cheese, but for now, Kraft will do. 😃 ~Tasha ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/16 "2007-01-07T08:38:23Z")
little kids love the cheese slices. All the China bambinas were chowing down from about 12 months. We have real cheese in the house, but they turn their little noses up at the good. I’m hoping this phase lasts for a while before I have to share. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/17 "2007-01-07T09:01:54Z")
My family took a vacation to Cancun, Mexico when I was ten. I ordered a cheeseburger and to my surprise they put swiss cheese on the burger…I was not pleased. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/18 "2007-01-07T13:40:23Z")
Once upon a time this question was in General Questions. But due to an overwhelming number of posters who just want to opine on cheese without contributing to answering the OP, I’ve moved this one to Cafe Society. **samclem** GQ moderator ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/19 "2007-01-07T14:12:43Z")
Ode to all that is _Velveeta_ - hash brown potatos, omelets, grilled cheese sandwiches - and chili-cheese chip dip. Keep a brick around, for homeland security purposes if nothing else. 'Twould be worth its weight in gold. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971/20 "2007-01-07T14:42:11Z")
[QUOTE=tashabot] I’ll splurge on good cheese [/QUOTE] I’ve got to stop reading before coffee. I thought you said something else. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-origin-of-american-cheese/386971.md?page=2)