What is 'Real' Cheese?
To understand whether nacho cheese is real, it's important to define what constitutes a natural, or 'real,' cheese. Natural cheese is a dairy product made from a few simple, natural ingredients: milk, salt, and enzymes or bacteria. The process involves several traditional steps:
- Coagulation: Milk is heated, and a culture of harmless bacteria is added to separate the milk curds from the whey.
- Cooking and Shaping: The curds are cut, cooked, and then pressed into blocks.
- Aging: The cheese is aged in a cool, dry place to mature, developing its characteristic flavor and texture over time.
Natural cheese has a shorter shelf life and is free of artificial additives, colors, and preservatives. Its flavor and texture depend on the type of milk, bacteria, and aging process used.
The Anatomy of Commercial Nacho Cheese
Unlike natural cheese, the nacho cheese sauce you find at a movie theater or in a jar is a highly processed product designed for stability and a specific texture. The ingredients tell the story:
- A base of natural cheese, often cheddar, is used, but it's not the sole ingredient.
- Milk, water, and fats are added to achieve a pourable consistency.
- Emulsifying salts, such as sodium citrate, are the secret ingredient for that perfectly smooth, non-congealing texture. These salts bind to the calcium in the cheese, preventing it from clumping or becoming grainy when heated.
- Stabilizers and thickeners, like starches, are frequently included to maintain viscosity.
- Artificial colors, preservatives, and flavorings are added to give the sauce its bright, uniform color and consistent taste.
Food Labeling and the FDA
Under U.S. food regulations, this combination of ingredients means that commercial nacho cheese cannot be labeled simply as 'cheese'. Instead, it falls into a category such as 'pasteurized process cheese food' or 'pasteurized process cheese spread'. These classifications indicate that the product is made with a certain percentage of actual cheese, but also contains other non-dairy components. A 'cheese food' must contain at least 51% cheese by weight, while a 'cheese spread' can contain less. A pure nacho cheese sauce often contains only a small percentage of real cheese.
Nutritional Comparison: Nacho Cheese vs. Natural Cheese
The ingredient differences translate directly into significant nutritional variations. Here is a comparison of typical values between a commercial nacho cheese sauce and natural cheddar cheese:
| Feature | Processed Nacho Cheese Sauce | Natural Cheddar Cheese |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | Highly processed, with added emulsifiers, starches, colors, and preservatives. | Made with minimal, natural ingredients: milk, salt, and enzymes. |
| Sodium Content | Generally much higher due to emulsifying salts and added preservatives. | Contains natural sodium from the cheesemaking process; lower than processed versions. |
| Fat Content | Can be higher, particularly saturated fat, from added oils and milk fat. | Fat content varies, but is solely from the milk used. |
| Additives | Contains artificial colors (e.g., Yellow 6) and preservatives for shelf-life and appearance. | Free of artificial additives, colors, and preservatives. |
| Nutrient Density | Calcium content may be less bioavailable due to processing. | Good source of calcium and protein. |
| Shelf Life | Long, shelf-stable due to preservatives and processing methods. | Shorter shelf life; requires refrigeration. |
Making a Healthier Choice
For those who enjoy nacho cheese but want a healthier alternative, the best option is to make it at home. A homemade cheese sauce allows you to control all the ingredients, ensuring a more natural and nutritious result. A basic recipe might include:
- A block of real cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.
- Milk or cream.
- Spices like chili powder, cumin, or paprika.
- Sodium citrate can be added to ensure a smooth, velvety texture without relying on processed cheese products.
Conclusion
To answer the question, 'is nacho cheese considered real cheese?,' the definitive answer is no. While it contains cheese, it is a processed cheese product formulated with a host of other ingredients to create its characteristic smooth, shelf-stable sauce. Unlike natural cheese, which is made from milk, salt, and enzymes, commercial nacho cheese relies on emulsifiers and additives to achieve its texture and flavor. For a more wholesome, nutrient-dense diet, opting for natural cheese or a homemade sauce is the healthier choice.
For more detailed information on processed cheese, its ingredients, and manufacturing processes, you can visit a source like ScienceDirect's overview on the topic.
