10 Things You Should Know about American Cheese Posted on April 12, 2012

Did you know? The process we currently use to make American cheese was actually invented by a German chemist. The term “American cheese” was originally used as a general descriptor for any cheese made in America (as the literal meaning would imply). However, today it refers to a specific style of cheese, and that style is distinctly German in origin!

American cheese is typically white, but it is often dyed to look yellow.

It was originally made from a mix of blended cheeses, but today it is manufactured from a set of ingredients.

It is illegal to sell American cheese as “cheese”. It must be sold as “processed cheese” or “cheese product”.

In Canada, the exact same product is often sold as “Canadian cheese”.

In Britain, this product is labelled simply “singles”, but it is commonly referred to as “cheese slices”.

The first American cheese was simple cheddar manufactured in the colonies and exported to Britain.

The British citizens were the first to coin the term “American cheese”, though they also called it “Yankee cheese”.

American cheese was originally thought to be of inferior quality. Its low price is what led to its popularity.

In 1942, American cheese was the only type of cheese American citizens were allowed to purchase or consume.