American Cheese Is Not Real Cheese

American cheese challenges the very definition of cheese: by FDA standards, it contains less than 51% actual cheese, making it legally a 'pasteurized processed cheese product.' This functional champion outperforms #7 MSG in culinary controversy due to its unmatched meltability, aided by a 70% moisture content and emulsifying salts that create a chemically distinct, smooth texture. While purists decry its processed nature, American cheese delivers 30% more calcium per serving than the typical rival cheddar, according to USDA data. Packed at 70% moisture, it costs 40% less per ounce on average than real cheese, yet offers a creamy melt that craft alternatives can't replicate. Its real identity as a cheese-based product fuels a debate that pits convenience against tradition, with 60% of Americans still preferring it on burgers.