How Is American Cheese Different Than In Other Countries?

Cheese is a nearly universal food as it can be found throughout the world. An interesting thing to note, however, is that when you look at cheese made in the United States and that made in Europe, there are actually several very important differences. While all cheese is delicious, if you want to become familiar with all types of cheese, it helps to understand these variations.

Cheese Known As “American Cheese”

The first thing to consider is what exactly is meant by American cheese. This term typically refers to a particular style of cheese, but it can also simply mean cheese that is produced and sold in the United States. The following paragraphs will talk about cheese made in America, but it is important to also consider the style of American cheese. This cheese tends to be processed and either white, yellow, or orange. The traditional recipe included a combination of cheddar, colby, and other cheeses, but today a great deal of “American cheese” is simply a “cheese product” as it doesn’t contain enough cheese to be classified as cheese.

Added Ingredients

When looking at cheese produced in the United States, you will notice that it typically contains more additives and extra ingredients, such as colorings and preservatives than the European alternatives. In fact, the typical Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese found in the United States, for example, contains, cheese cultures, potassium sorbate, and cellulose powder, none of which you will find in the European version of this cheese.

Pasteurized Milk

Another difference between American cheeses and international ones is the type of milk that is used. Because of safety concerns, mainly those related to bacteria, the vast majority of American cheese is made using pasteurized milk as this process reduces the risk of bacterial growth. In fact, it can be nearly impossible to find a “raw cheese” which is made with unpasteurized milk in the United States. Other countries, however, tend to offer both types of cheese as there is a demand for both and they have accepted that the production and aging process helps reduce the risk of any bacteria-related problems.

Meaning Behind The Name

Perhaps the biggest difference between American made cheese and those made around the world, and the one that has recently got the most attention on the news, is the name of the product. In Europe, the name of a particular cheese refers to where it originated. This means that if you buy Parmigiano-Reggiano in Europe, it will have been made in the Emilia-Romagna area of Italy. If you buy it in the United States, however, it is simply made to imitate this particular Italian cheese. While names such as Gruyere and Asiago refer to styles of cheese in the U.S., they refer to the style of cheese as well as where it was produced.