What is white American cheese? It can be said that white American cheese has been the most commonly used cheese globally from time immemorial.
The first is because it is delicious with a neutral taste that goes well with any American menu you want to try. The second is because it is relatively healthy compared to other cheeses.
Join me to learn what is so special about white American cheese after all that it is so popular and versatile by continuing with this article!
Definition of White American Cheese
You may wonder if American cheese is real cheese? Yes, they are the classic processed cheese that has been around the world for ages with countless applications you can imagine (1)
Sometimes people can refer to American cheese as “American singles” or “American slices.” There are several kinds of American cheese, like yellow American cheese, orange American cheese, and white American cheese – today’s main character.
In the food industry, especially in professional restaurants, white American cheese is used a lot in almost every recipe, although its price is not low when compared to its brothers in the family.
To describe white cheese, it possesses an unmistakable characteristic whitish color. This cheese has a mild and slightly salty flavor.
Its texture is somewhat dry and crumbly due to the nature of the unique manufacturing process. This specialty cheese includes whey protein concentrates, milk, salt, and fats.
How Is White American Cheese Made?
In the past, white American cheese was made by mixing emulsifying agents and other ingredients, forming a cheese mixture. Currently, the most common production method is:
Step 1: Cheddaring, which means adding a coagulant to milk (cow, sheep or goat, etc.). The coagulant usually is calcium which helps the milk solidify and turn into curds.
Step 2: Remove any liquid whey out of the curd and strain the curd until it is completely dry and firm.
Step 3: During processing, the amount of added fat is significant in determining the consistency of white American cheese. Add the acid (brine) to help the curds cling well together.
Step 4: Next, to sterilize white cheese, heat it in a pot. Finally, a mixture of enzymes is usually added to preserve white cheese for the longest time, usually brine and rennet and leave it at room temperature for many hours.
White, Yellow and Orange American Cheese: What Are The Differences?
When preparing some burgers, you might think about that. After all, are white, yellow, and orange American cheese the same but their colors, and if so, can you use them interchangeably?
The answer is they are somewhat similar but not absolutely the same as each other. In other words, there are many dissimilarities when you compare white American cheese with white cheese and orange cheese. Read on to find out more details.
Yellow American cheese is used in a yellowish color, while orange cheese has a prominent orange color. That’s because color has been added during processing, be it from turmeric or annatto to make the dish stand out more after processing.
In fact, it is made precisely like white cheese by adding a coagulant to the milk, except that it is draining extra liquid out of the curds for longer than that of white cheese. Thus; the fat content in yellow cheese becomes higher than in white cheese.
But since yellow cheese’s main ingredient is the liquid whey which is used to make yogurt or cottage cheese later, it has a softer texture than the drier and more crumbly white cheese. Yellow cheese also tastes richer, sharper, and tangier, while white cheese is saltier and milder.
The whitish color of white American cheese is created by the citric acid treating process. This only happens for a short time, just before the cheese is drained, but enough to give it a white color.
The reason it’s a bit whitish is that the coagulant (calcium chloride) is used in the production process. On the other hand, the yellow color is produced by the beta-carotene, a protein in the cow’s milk.
To compare, orange cheese has a relatively similar taste to white cheese, but its texture is much smoother and softer. It is also much more affordable when you need to use a large amount of cheese in your recipe.
Are you curious about how to make DIY processed American cheese?
How Long Does White American Cheese Last?
Since it is White American cheese is a pasteurized and processed cheese, so you may expect that it will last very long. However, the quality of cheese depends so much on the way you store it. Refer to the table below for the best preserving:
What Are the Closest Substitutes to White American Cheese?
To find the best substitute for white American cheese, you need to focus on two main aspects: taste and melting ability. Let me help you with the shortlist below:
Provolone Cheese
It can be said that Provolone cheese is the closest substitute for white American cheese. This Italian cheese variety(2) has an incredibly similar mild taste. The taste is just neutral enough to enhance your flavor.
With a decent fat content, Provolone cheese is both good when melted or unmelted. This cheese can be best used on Philly cheesesteaks. Or, you can add this versatile cheese to any dish that requires mild cheese, just like white American cheese.
Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack Cheese is probably the best match. This cheese is soft with the same mild taste as white American cheese. To mimic the color, marble the plain white Monterey Jack Cheese with Colby cheese.
This American-born cheese will be best suited for tasty Mexican dishes such as queso. You can melt it to the right consistency you want to get with your white American cheese. Assuming that you love the slightly sweet aftertaste, this one is the best for you!
Make some quick and easy one-pot Corn Frittata with Monterey Jack Cheese! You can see this video to know more:
Fontina Cheese
One of the key features of fontina cheese is that it melts so well, making this semi-hard cheese a a good substitute for white American cheese. Although it is a little expensive, the sharp content of Fontina cheese will make up a creamy substitute.
You can try Fontina cheese in almost all classic cheesy dishes calling for white American cheese, such as mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and soups. You should note that it is a little saltier and nuttier, so the amount added should also be changed accordingly.
Oaxacan Cheese
You can try this variation of Mexican queso Blanco cheese as a substitute for white American cheese. This semi-hard cheese has the same whitish color. You can imagine its taste similar to Monterey Jack, which means it is identical to white American cheese.
About the texture, Oaxacan cheese melts so well, just like mozzarella. Therefore, it is excellent to substitute white American cheese whether you like a melting base or top.
Havarti Cheese
Assuming you love the taste of Havarti cheese, you can always use it to replace white American cheese. Although the taste is slightly different from sweeter notes and a buttery taste, it nearly mimics the white cheese texture.
In particular, Havarti cheese can melt to a gooey texture and silk-smooth finish, great for Philly cheesesteak, fondues, sandwiches, or pasta. It can also replace white American cheese as a great topping, combine, or dip.
Why not make your Havarti cheese homemade version by learning this method?
Muenster Cheese
If you want to add a little color to your recipe without changing the flavor too much, try Muenster cheese. The unforgettable flavor of Muenster cheese can perfectly replicate American cheese in many recipes. This cheese has a bright orange border with a lusciously smooth and soft texture.
The taste is somewhat buttery, making Muenster cheese a good choice for specific recipes. You could try using this unique cheese to add a high level of creamy texture to your grilled cheese sandwich.
White Cheddar Cheese
White Cheddar cheese is one of the best white American cheese stand-ins. Among the tastiest and highest quality Cheddar cheese, you’ll find the white variety. Although this cheese’s taste isn’t so mild, it has a good melting ability when exposed to heat, like white American cheese.
After melting, the gooey consistency of Cheddar cheese is excellent for dips, sandwiches, and sauces and adds a richer flavor to a dish. Remember that Cheddar cheese has many types, so make sure to use a mild version for the white American cheese taste.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a melting cheese that makes it super suitable to replace white American cheese in specific recipes. As you know, irresistible Mozzarella cheese is commonly used in pasta dishes and pizzas with its super creamy and well-melting features.
It would be best if you chose the whole-milk mozzarella rather than part-skim mozzarella since the first melt is better. Make your dishes more creamy with a better taste by adding this melting cheese! Just remember to avoid using mozzarella as a dip since it can get stringy and clumpy.
The Ultimate Uses of White American Cheese
The popularity and versatility of white American cheese are undeniable as it can take on most tasks that require cheese in the kitchen. Moreover, it also has an exquisite taste when combined in the main dish.
White American cheese has two advantageous characteristics compared to other cheeses: held over an extended period and melts well when heated. Therefore, it is loved by chefs and homemakers for regular use.
Thanks to these properties, white American cheese is suitable for recipes that require melting cheese, such as dips, lasagna, and grilled cheeses. There’s nothing better than sandwiching between your hamburgers and hotdogs some greasy melted white cheese!
Flavorsome Recipes With White American Cheese
White American cheese makes your recipes feel better all the time. Don’t be confused if these recipes only mention general American cheese because you can always use white American cheese for the best taste!
American Grilled Cheese
It would help if you had less than a half-hour to make this flavorful grilled cheese sandwich. Its taste is enhanced to another level with the neutral cheesy taste of white American cheese. Moreover, the soft sandwiches combine so well with the melting white cheese right in your mouth!
American Mac and Cheese
Your macaroni and cheese cannot be any better with white American cheese! The texture is so much creamier and saucier, with a pleasant smell of white cheese. All mix perfectly with the cheddar and herb flavor to create a complete American mac and cheese.
Philly Cheesesteak
Make your best Philly cheesesteak ever by using some white American cheese! The taste of tender steak collaborates incredibly with melted gooey white cheese. White American cheese significantly adds a mouth-watering salty and creamy flavor.
Try to replace Provolone cheese in this recipe with white American cheese and see the perfect result!
FAQs
There is a lot of exciting information about white American cheese that you might not know! Refer to the question and answers below to discover more about this fascinating cheese:
Add Some White American Cheese To Your Recipes!
Well, now you can understand why white American cheese is one of the best-selling cheeses in the world. I can’t imagine a burger or grilled cheese sandwich without white American cheese!
Whatever your taste in cheese, never miss the opportunity to enjoy this one-of-a-kind cheese. Like, share, comment and follow me for more updates on world cuisine to enrich your menu more and more!
References
- Anon, 2021. American cheese. Wikipedia.
- Anon, 2021. Provolone. Wikipedia.
