Melted cheese. Where would American culture be without it? It seems our first instinct upon encountering a new foodstuff is to melt some cheese on it. But surely this idea did not originate with us. Which culture was the first to come up with melting cheese on things? 'Cause I want to send them a thank-you note.
well, it might be worth noting that the type of cheese called “Amercian” is the only kind I know of that is specifically designed to melt. And while lots of cultures cook with cheese (quiche, fondue, etc) most non-American cuisines don’t specifically call for adding melted cheese on top of everything.
So maybe the Yanks did originate it. Or at least popularize it.
The Welsh?
I’m not really supposed to say - but I did. Please don’t tell everyone.
Fondue dates back to the 1700s and is pretty much the epitome of melted cheesey goodness so I would give credit to the Swiss.
I just wonder why it took us almost three hundred years to co-opt it.
In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. . . oh, and fondue.
Not really true. Several cheeses are lauded for their ability to melt well, including Gruyere, Raclette, Fontina, and many others. Maybe not “specifically designed” but it’s certainly one of the characteristics they’re known for.
According to Wiki, the first record of the term Welsh Rabbit dates to 1725, I would assume that the dish started even earlier. Wiki does date fondue to 1699.
How can this be true? American cheese is the only cheese designed to be melted? Cite?
There isn’t a more meltable cheese that mozzarella. In fact, when made correctly, it melts in your mouth. The mozzarella you get in a hard block in the dairy aisle ain’t it, either. Mozzarella made the same day, still warm… it’s practically melting while you look at it. It’s been around at least 500 years.
Also, according to wikipedia, soldiers of the Persian king Darius the Great made pizza in the 500’s BC with melted cheese on bread. Now you know why Darius was considered so great.
Please, Welsh Rarebit
From here:
Hey, if you want the ‘perverted folk-etymology’ version, be my guest 
There’s a recipe from the 14th century for something called makerouns. It’s basically macaroni and cheese: alternating layers of hot noodles and cheese; the hot noodles cause the cheese to melt. Here’s a list of medieval cheese and acceptable modern substitutes. You’ll see several easily meltable cheeses on there.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if melted cheese was discovered shortly after cheese itself.
Next you’ll be telling me it’s really “The welsh nine yards”. 
“American cheese” is cheese?? I could swear that it’s plastic. I’ve always wondered why people bother to take off the wrapping.
Not as far back as 500 B.C.E, but probably predating fondue since there is medieval mention cited, is the Raclette Athena touched on.
You can have more fun by not taking it off.
Next time I have the bbq going, I am so doing this!!
You’re thinking of a “processed cheese food” made from some kind of oil. It is not really American cheese and the WIC program agrees with me. Real American cheese (the kind that’s sliced to order at the deli) is quite good.
Icarus
He figured it would be a long flight, so he decided to pack a lunch…