Why is Kraft shredded cheese so powdery?!

[Free4Life11]

I think this is the last time I'm buying it. For one thing, they chop it into the tiniest pieces and it's all covered in this white powder. Doesn't taste very good or melt well either... I don't remember it ever being this way.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Preservatives!

 

[bicker]

There is a chemical preservative to retard mold, but that's not the white powder you're noticing. Rather, they add potato starch and cellulose to prevent the shredded cheese from "de-shredding" -- cluming back together into a solid mass. There's often some trade-off between convenience and utility. We are happy enough to be eating any cheese, when we eat cheese, that we don't begrudge the minor melting difficulties.

 

[KristaTX]

Except for mozzerella for making pizzas, I never buy pre-shredded cheese. I think it never tastes good and is always powdery. Fresh grated is soooooo much better.

And I've noticed that Kraft cheddar cheese (shredded or chunks) is never as good as other brands, including the store brands.

 

[Free4Life11]

Thanks for the information!

And yep, I was referring to the cheddar cheese. It's pretty nasty.

 

[eclectics]

It's all the fillers they use. If you can find the Sargento brand where you live, that is the best. Melts great!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yep, SARGENTO.... the best!!!

 

[puffkin]

We buy the store brand. Tastes better and half the price. Doesn't have that powderly/gritty feel that the Kraft cheese has either.

 

[jedi_librarian]

It's not a light or fat free, is it? That sounds like what happens with FF cheese.