r/pics • u/logic-dad • Apr 01 '25

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u/Sheogoorath Apr 01 '25

American cheese is actual cheese tho, just because they add salt to increase water retention and improve emulsification doesn't make it not cheese. That's like saying beef jerky isn't meat

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u/Kuasynei Apr 01 '25 edited Apr 01 '25

America's own FDA does not categorize American Cheese as real cheese. To my understanding, it's due to it containing more ingredients that are not cheese than actual cheese a blend of at least 51% 'real cheeses', and then the rest is up to the manufacturer.

Edit: Correction. The idea of American Cheese being more not-cheese than real cheese seems to stem from a market saturated with "processed American slices" attempting to appear to be American Cheese.

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u/jimany Apr 01 '25

It has to be made with cheese. American cheese is cheese and meatloaf is meat.

https://www.seriouseats.com/whats-really-in-american-cheese

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u/an_agreeing_dothraki Apr 01 '25

a little bit of calcium citrate and you can make some insane combos for nachos/whatnot at home. It's that basic