Did You Know – American Cheese

Ooey Gooey Kraft American Cheese is my favorite cheese and the only cheese I use for cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese, sandwiches and more. Don’t judge me, I already can hear somebody saying “Diane that isn’t cheese and it’s processed!” Well guess what, all cheese is processed. This is one processed food I just can’t give up. Lol
Learn more about Kraft American Cheese below.
- Invented in the 1910s by James L. Kraft, the founder of Kraft Foods Inc., who obtained a patent for his manufacturing process in 1916.
- Originally American Cheese came in a 2# block that was sold to deli’s and they sliced off what the customer needed.
- In 1935 Jame L. Krafts younger brother figured out that if they poured hot liquid cheese onto a cold stainless steel table that the cheese could be cut, this was the very first cheese slice.
- Kraft wrapped singles were introduced in 1950.
- American Cheese is made from cheese such as cheddar, Colby or cheese similar to this.
- Sodium citrate is added to the cheese to permit the cheese to be pasteurized without its components separating.
- American Cheese can be either yellow or white. The yellow cheese is seasoned and colored with annatto, a process that is used in cheese to give it the eye appealing yellow color.
- An FDA requirement for Kraft pasteurized cheese is that there must be a minimum of 51% actual cheese used in making it.
- There are 60 calories, 4g fat, 4g protein, 330 mg calcium, 60 mg potassium, 2 g carbohydrates, and 230 mg sodium in one slice of Kraft American cheese.
- Kraft American Cheese contains real milk, good to know in case you are allergic to milk.
I have not been compensated for this post by Kraft.
Source: http://www.Kraftfoods.com and http://www.allrecipes.com
http://www.InDianesKitchen.com
Categories: Did You Know

Processed foods refer to any food that’s changed from its natural state. This can include food that was simply cut, washed, heated, pasteurized, canned, cooked, frozen, dried, dehydrated, mixed, or packaged. It also can include food that has added preservatives, nutrients, flavors, salts, sugars, or fats. – I might add American cheese is only 50% or less real cheese while the rest of the ingredients is fat, oil and water.
Thank you Randy!
You’re welcome. Many people don’t realize cutting, cooking or canning a vegetable or fruit is processed food, even if you don’t add chemicals or preservatives. Therefore, most foods are processed, you just need your learn which are healthy compared to not so healthy. 🤓👍🏼🍻
Exactly but Kraft American Cheese is one unhealthy thing I can’t resist! 🤣
Lovely, but is it really cheese?
The FDA regulates that it has to be at least 51% cheese like Coby, Cheddar etc.
I question the integrity and intelligence of the FDA
Thank you so much!
No French person would call that “cheese” Diane but I do understand its popularity.
Haha I bet! I grew up on this cheese (at least the 51% of it). lol
I love it, too
I figure it can’t be that bad since I have been eating it for over 60 years! Lol
Kraft does make a good product. I just sodium citrate to add to other varieties of cheese when I want a cheese sauce that doesn’t break.
They said that sodium citrate is used for all cheese so it makes sense Bernadette. Thank you for sharing that information!
Glad there’s at least 51% real cheese in it! 😊 Love using Kraft singles for grilled cheese sandwiches.
I was surprised by that as well Ab. It is the only cheese for grilled cheese and of course a big slice of homegrown tomato.
We like Kraft American Cheese also. And I am old enough that I don’t care what others think.
Now I know why I like you so much Betty! 🤣
Wow..lots of sodium per slice.
It sure is but I think that’s why it keeps for so much longer than regular cheese.
Thanks for the info, Diane💜 Still not giving it up😏
Haha Me either! You’re welcome Jonetta.
I don’t eat it, but I remember how good it was. If eating American cheese is your worst guilty pleasure, then I’m not too concerned. 😉 We all have them!
I figure if after eating it for over 60 years didn’t kill me it can’t be that bad right? 🤣
I prefer American for grilled cheese and cheese whiz for steak sandwiches.
I bet it is delicious with steak sandwiches, I never thought about that! I love it with broccoli too.
That is how a real Phiully cheese steak is made – not that I am from Philly but I had many coworkers who were.
We use this cheese, I too like it on cheeseburgers, Egg muffins etc. We don’t use it every day so I don’t mind what’s in it lol
We don’t use it everyday either, but when we do….YUM!
Still one of my favorites!
Me too!
Interesting! We use it all the time!
It makes food taste so good. Thank you Barry!
I enjoyed this background! I loved it as a kid especially in grilled cheese. Then I fell in love with cheddar and it is my number one 🙂
I think we all had it as a child, it was a staple in our house. You can never go wrong with cheddar too!
I didn’t know any of these facts Diane – thanks for sharing them. I found it interesting there must be a minimum of 51% actual cheese used in making it. The good thing about individually wrapped slices is they last longer. If I buy Sargento Swiss cheese slices, I only use one slice and the cheese goes moldy since I’m the only one eating it. I often just get the cheese sticks to avoid that happening. I like Velveeta Cheese, but also a problem, as once you open it, even the small package doesn’t last as long, but it tastes good!
It’s funny you say that as the whole purpose of them creating American Processed Cheese was to have a cheese that lasted longer. I was surprised there was that much actual cheese in it too. You’re welcome Linda!
I did not know it had been around since 1910 – interesting facts!
Thank you Mary, it is a fascinating story about how they got started.
I know it’s processed, too. But it doesn’t stop me liking it. I love, love, love it on a sandwich.
I agree Linda, the best cheese for a sandwich of any kind, especially toasted cheese!