Introduction
Cheese is one of my favorite foods, but isn’t it almost everyone's? Processed cheeses are jam packed with preservatives, so how healthy are they for you? Do they even contain real cheese? I’ve heard many rumors about how terrible cheese is for your body, especially American Cheese, so I decided to research the chemistry of American Cheese. Turns out, American Cheese is not as harmful to the body as one would think, and lacks human made chemicals that are said to be hidden in highly processed foods.
Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components
Chemistry's Role
Background Research
Processed cheese is eaten and enjoyed all around us from Kraft Singles, to Easy Cheese. Although American Cheese is indeed called “American Cheese”, the process is not originated in America. Originating in Switzerland, this cheese was created to eliminate cheese waste. It was made by blending scraps of cheese together to create a new product. In 1916 James Kraft, an American cheese entrepreneur, mastered a similar technique in the United States. This new product, titled American Cheese, became exceedingly popular because of its long shelf life and easy shipping ability. Today, Kraft is headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, where Kraft Singles are produced.
Resources
http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/07/whats-really-in-american-cheese.html
http://mentalfloss.com/article/65003/what-exactly-american-cheese
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/16/kraft-singles-kids-eat-right_n_6879658.html
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Calcium_phosphate#section=Top
http://www.dairyprocessinghandbook.com/chapter/chemistry-milk
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_cheese
http://www.livestrong.com/article/475373-what-is-calcium-phosphate/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_citrate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorbic_acid
https://www.reference.com/science/calcium-phosphate-made-da249dc58dacd#
About the Author
Carrie Baker is a junior at Billings Senior High. She enjoys playing the clarinet, cheerleading, and playing with her beloved pet bunny, Bugz. Carrie also
enjoys spending time with friends and family. She plans on attending college near the west coast, and pursuing a career in oceanic or atmospheric
sciences.