American Cheese- جبنه امريكيه

Photo: flickr user Melody Kramer

About

A mild flavored processed cheese made from a combination of natural cheese and added ingredients. American Cheese can be yellow, orange or white, and is the cheese of choice for cheeseburgers due to its consistency and ability to melt easily. It is readily available in slices, grated, in pastes and spreads.

Information

Other names: Cheese Analogue, Processed Cheese, Cheese Product

Translations: Amerikāņu Siers, American Τυρί, Amerikos Sūriai, أمريكا الجبن, Americký Syry, American Juusto, American Brânză, Američki sira, Americký Sýry, Mỹ Cheese, האמריקאי גבינה, Американский сыр, 아메리칸 치즈, アメリカンチーズ, अमेरिकी पनीर, Американський сир, 美国奶酪, Амерички сир, Keju Amerika, Американски сирене

Physical Description

The taste and texture of different varieties of American Cheese vary considerably, and mostly depend on the percentage of cheese versus additives used during emulsification. Varieties with lower percentages of additives tend to taste more like natural, unprocessed cheese. Depending on the food manufacturer, the color of the cheese (orange, yellow, or white) may indicate different ingredients or processes.

Colors: orange, yellow or white in color

Tasting Notes

Flavors: mild flavour

Mouthfeel: Smooth texture with medium-firm consistency

Food complements: Apples, Pears and red grapes

Wine complements: Merlot, Zinfandel

Substitutes: Velveeta, Cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese

Selecting and Buying

Procuring: American Cheese has been made from a blend of cheeses, most often Colby and Cheddar. Today's American Cheese is generally no longer made from a blend of all natural cheeses ut is instead manufactured from a set of ingredients such as milk, whey, milkfat, milk protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate, and saly.

Preparation and Use

American cheese is used in sauces, dips, and spreads, and is typically the cheese that's melted or grilled in sandwiches and on hamburgers.

It is widely used in American cuisine, for example on cheeseburgers, in grilled cheese sandwiches, and in macaroni and cheese, salads, casseroles, biscuits and pies.

Conserving and Storing

American cheese should be refrigerated at 46 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 8 to 13 degrees Celsius. It keeps well for several weeks in the refrigerator.

Social/Political

History: British colonists made cheddar as soon as they arrived in America. By 1790, American cheddars were being exported back to England. The British referred to American cheddar as "American cheese," or "Yankee cheese," and post-Revolution Americans promoted this usage to distinguish the exports of their proud new nation from European cheese.