American cheese is often the choice when melted cheese is called for, in such favorites as grilled-cheese sandwiches.
American cheese is smooth and light yellow or orange in colour. It is usually sold in blocks or squares. More than half of all cheese consumed in the United States is processed cheese of this kind. American cheese is essentially young cheddar cheese, made of pasteurised cows’ milk, which then goes through a shredding and heating process. Various other dairy ingredients, such as dyes and emulsifiers, are added to create a smooth, mild, odorless, meltable, and stable product.
American cheese is usually sold in packets of ready-cut single-square slices, but can also be bought in larger blocks. This is the cheese that is often used in prepackaged cheese spreads.
With its smooth texture and mild taste, American cheese goes well with apples, pears, and red grapes. It’s used in sauces, dips, and spreads, and is typically the cheese that’s melted or grilled in sandwiches and on hamburgers. It frequently appears in such dishes as macaroni and cheese, and is an ingredient in a great variety of cooked dishes, from salads to casseroles, biscuits, and pies.
American cheese, 1 slice (1 oz.) (28g)
Calories: 106
Protein: 6.3g
Carbohydrate: 0.45g
Total Fat: 8.8g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (174mg)
*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.
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The information presented in Foodnotes is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2005.