• ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de
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    12 days ago

    Kraft cheese is made with standard real cheese ingredients. They add emulsifiers to it in order to lower the melting point to make it better on a burger or grilled cheese. The percentage of emulsifiers and moisture the slices have is the only reason it can’t be legally defined as “cheese”. But unlike other things, such as fake ice cream having to be labeled as something like “frozen dairy dessert” because it was made cheaper without enough milkfat and ending up with a worse tasting product, Kraft is just because they wanted their cheese to melt easier.

    • atomicbocks@sh.itjust.works
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      12 days ago

      Kraft invented American cheese and then enshitified it to the point that it couldn’t be called cheese anymore. I’m not even sure what you’re trying to argue at this point. If Kraft singles were made of real American cheese they could call it cheese it isn’t so they can’t just like the ice cream.

      ETA:

      There is a reason this says “American cheese” and not “prepared cheese product”:

      • ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de
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        12 days ago

        The bottom one has a lower melting point and more moisture. “Cheese” has to be 51% cheese per FDA. It is estimated that Kraft singles are around 48%.

        That tiny amount difference isn’t because it saves money in production. It’s just because it works better in a grilled cheese sandwich.

        • atomicbocks@sh.itjust.works
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          12 days ago

          Lower melting point and more moisture than what? The upper one that was already made to be a better melting cheese than Cheddar or Colby?

          If that was true then why do all restaurants that I know of use the upper one and not the lower ones for grilled cheese?

          I’m sorry, but in this case you’re wrong, singles are just the enshitified version of American cheese.

          • ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de
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            12 days ago

            Lower melting point and more moisture than normal cheddar.

            FDA requirement for packaging is 51% cheese to be labeled as “cheese”. The Kraft singles have extra milk and emulsifiers to make them more melty. it’s believed to be about 48% “cheese”.

            The reason all restaurants use the upper one (I’ll take your word on this) is because it’s fucking cheaper to buy and you don’t have to unwrap each slice. That would be a huge pain in the ass.