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  • It was originally made from a mix of blended cheeses, but today it is manufactured from a set of ingredients.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.
  • American cheese in block form (rather than being individually wrapped), is typically less processed.