Cheese spread facts for kids

Eru Goudkuipje Sambal is a Dutch commercial processed cheese spread made with chili paste.

Cheese spread is a soft, creamy food that you can easily spread on other foods. It's usually made from cheese or a special kind of processed cheese. Sometimes, other yummy ingredients are added, like different cheeses, fruits, vegetables, or even meats! There are many, many types of cheese spreads around the world. One kind is called "pasteurized process cheese spread," which means it's made from cheese that has been heated to make it safe and smooth.

What is Cheese Spread?

Homemade pimento cheese spread with crackers.

Easy Cheese, a pasteurized process cheese spread, on a pretzel.

Cheese spread is made using one or more types of cheese or processed cheese. Sometimes, extra ingredients are mixed in, such as vegetables, fruits, meats, or different spices and seasonings. You can typically spread cheese spread on foods like bread, toast, crackers, or even fresh vegetables.

Cheese spread comes in many different packages:

• In plastic tubs, like a small container of butter.
• In tiny triangles or squares wrapped in foil, often found in a cardboard box, like Dairylea or The Laughing Cow.
• In a pressurized can, where the cheese comes out in a string, like Easy Cheese.
• In a jar, looking a bit like a thick sauce, such as Cheez Whiz.
• As a solid bar, similar to a block of butter, like Velveeta.

Different Kinds of Cheese Spreads

There are many kinds of cheese spreads from all over the world! Some examples include almogrote, Liptauer, cervelle de canut, and tirokafteri.

Cheese Spreads in the United States

In the United States, some cheese spreads are very popular. For example, beer cheese spread is a traditional food in the state of Kentucky. Pimento cheese is a famous food from the Southern United States. People sometimes call it the "pâté of the south" or "Carolina caviar" because it's so loved! Port wine cheese is another type that is made in large amounts across the U.S. Pub cheese is a soft cheese spread often served as a snack in bars. Other American cheese spreads include Benedictine, cold pack cheese, and cup cheese.

Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread Explained

Pasteurized process cheese spread is a special processed cheese product. It's made by heating one or more cheeses with other ingredients. Sometimes, special food helpers like emulsifiers (which make it smooth) and stabilizers (which stop it from separating) are added. Things like cream, milkfat, sweeteners, water, salt, and colors can also be part of the mix.

In the United States, this type of cheese spread must have at least 51 percent cheese products. It also needs to have at least 20 percent milkfat. The amount of water in it must be between 44 and 60 percent. To make it, all the ingredients are heated up. Then, the warm mixture is poured into molds or containers to cool down and become solid. Once it's cool, it's ready to be packaged!

Images for kids

• Cheese spreads
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  Almogrote

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  A commercial beer cheese spread

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  Benedictine used as a dip

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  A Dutch commercial cheese spread on bread

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  Handi-Snacks is a snack with crackers and cheese spread

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  Liptauer

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  Liptauer made with quark cheese

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  Tirokafteri is a cheese spread from Greece and nearby Balkan countries