Ah, the world of cheese, where aromas and flavours blend like a delightful symphony. But amidst this orchestra of genuine cheeses, there exists a quirky character – Mondelēz’s Easy Cheese! Today, dear cheese aficionados, we delve into the heart of this peculiar product and answer the burning question: Is Easy Cheese real cheese or just an imposter trying to fit in with the cheesy elite?
SEE ALSO: How some of your favourite foods score on our Cheese Definition Test →
Official Cheese Definition Test
Now this is a hotly debated topic even amongst cheese professionals. And you will be hard-pressed to find an accurate definition of what makes a product cheese. The main reason for this is how complex and varied cheeses can be.
However, we wanted to give this a go. After prolonged deliberations, we’ve come up with these essential characteristics:
- Criterion 1: Milk or milk-derived ingredient
- Criterion 2: Allowed, but optional ingredients (click here for list)
- Criterion 3: Coagulation of milk (or milk-derived product)
- Criterion 4: Separation of curds and whey
You can read more about our Official Cheese Definition test by clicking here.
What is Easy Cheese?
Picture this: a can with a built-in nozzle, ready to spray your cheese fantasies into reality!
Introducing Easy Cheese, a quirky cheese spread from Mondelēz International, known by various fun names like “spray cheese” and “cheese in a can.” Packaged in a metal can with a flexible nozzle, this creamy delight offers instant cheesy satisfaction.
Originally released by Betty Lou Foods, Easy Cheese found fame when Nabisco branded it as “Snack Mate” from 1965 to 1984. Vintage ads showcased its vibrant orange peaks atop appetisers, making it the “Instant Cheese for Instant Parties”.
Today, Mondelēz’s Easy Cheese continues to delight with flavours like Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Cheddar ‘n Bacon and American. And some discontinued varieties like Pimento and Nacho are fondly remembered. This whimsical creation invites cheese enthusiasts to embrace its playfulness and add a squirt of cheesy joy to their culinary adventures.
Easy Cheese: Real cheese or not?
So, this brings us to today’s debate. Let’s dive into the curiously captivating world of this “Cheese in a Can”. Read on as we answer your burning questions and debunk some myths along the way.
For this blog post, we’re putting the Cheddar flavour of Easy Cheese to the test.
Milk-derived ingredients
Now, brace yourselves, for we’re about to uncover the closely guarded secrets of Easy Cheese’s composition. Actually, the star ingredient here is Cheddar Cheese, together with cow’s milk and various other milk extracts.
Therefore, Easy Cheese passes Criterion 1 of our Cheese Definition Test.
Other ingredients
In addition to this, Mondelēz’s Easy Cheese also contains sorbic acid (preservative), annatto (natural colouring agent), enzymes and cheese cultures. Of course, all of those are on the list of authorised ingredients in making cheese.
But wait, there’s more! Emulsifiers, canola oil and sodium alginate dance their way into the mix, giving Easy Cheese its distinctive texture and longevity.
Since most of those ingredients are not on our authorised list, Easy Cheese fails Criterion 2 of our Cheese Definition Test.
Production method
Let’s now take a peek into the fascinating world of Easy Cheese production.
It all begins with melting cheese down to a gooey, molten state, and then blending it with various companions, including the enigmatic emulsifiers. Afterward, this creamy amalgamation is pushed into its iconic can, just waiting for the moment when a squeeze unleashes a cheesy eruption.
As you can see, the production of Easy Cheese does not include coagulation and separation of curds from whey. Therefore, this food product fails both Criterion 3 and Criterion 4 of our Cheese Definition Test.
Scorecard: Easy Cheese is NOT real cheese
So, is Mondelēz’s Easy Cheese real cheese or not? The verdict is quite clear. Because it fails Criteria 2, 3 and 4 of our Cheese Definition Test, Easy Cheese is most definitely not real cheese. As a matter of fact, the FDA classifies this product as a processed cheese spread.
Now, this leads us to another question. Does this mean that you should not eat Easy Cheese? Well, consuming it in small amounts is unlikely to be detrimental to your health. But keep in mind that there are a number of additives in this product which can be quite harmful if consumed in excess.
So, if you’re looking for a quick cheese fix, we recommend that buy a block of commercial Cheddar or Colby from your nearest grocery store. And start grating!
Are you an Easy Cheese fiend? We’d love to hear your thoughts on our scorecard. Leave us a comment below.
Jonah is a a hipster, eco-warrior and slow food afficionado. Coming from a scientific background, Jonah has a particular interest in cheese science. And yes, he loves a good cheese pun!
