Finally...the Truth
Photo courtesy of Gregmce
What IS that stuff, anyway?
Are you sure you really want to know?
Photo Courtesy of Nick H
Velveeta is classified as a "Pasteurized processed cheese food." It actually has to label itself as "food" to clarify its status! Also sometimes known as "cheese food product." Huh? What's the difference between cheese food and cheese food product?Kraft likes to call it a "fun, family-friendly" cheese food.
I'll tell you one thing; Kraft Foods sure won't tell you the exact process. Proprietary, they say. Maybe they know the recipe for Velveeta is just too scary to release to the general public. Of course, there is plenty of speculation.
Here's the official story: Pasteurized process cheese contains one or more cheeses, such as cheddar, with added cream or anhydrous milkfat. The mixture is heated with an emulsifier-such as sodium or potassium phosphate, and other ingredients, like color and flavoring. It is then poured into molds to congeal (that's a creepy word, isn't it).
Here is the ingredient list on the package: MILK, WATER, MILKFAT, WHEY, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, ALGINATE, SODIUM CITRATE, APOCAROTENAL (COLOR), ANNATTO (COLOR), ENZYMES, CHEESE CULTURE.
Some Important Definitions for this Very Serious Discussion
Pay attention! You may need this information some day.
Photo courtesy of ash campbell
Pasteurized process cheese food is a variation of process cheese that may have dry milk, whey solids, or anhydrous milkfat added, which reduces the amount of cheese in the finished product. It must contain at least 51% of the cheese ingredient by weight, have a moisture content less than 44%, and have at least 23% milkfat.Pasteurized process cheese spread is a variation on cheese food that may contain a sweetener and a stabilizing agent, such as the polysaccharide xanthan gum or the Irish moss colloid carrageenan, to prevent separation of the ingredients. The cheese must be spreadable at 70 F, contain 44 to 60% moisture, and have at least 20% milkfat.
Pasteurized process cheese product is process cheese that doesn't meet the moisture and/or milkfat standards.
Imitation cheese is made from vegetable oil; it is less expensive, but also has less flavor and doesn't melt well.
For the record, Velveeta is pasteurized process cheese spread and Velveeta Light is pasteurized process cheese product. Cheez Whiz is labeled as pasteurized process cheese sauce, although that type isn't noted in the Code of Federal Regulations. A Kraft spokeswoman confirms that the word "sauce" just seems to be an add-on.
From Chemical and Engineering News February 7, 2000.
Why Does Velveeta Exist at All?
Is it blackmailing cheddar?
Photo courtesy of Spike5151
Simply put, Velveeta melts nicely. I don't think anyone outside of Kraft knows exactly why, but several possibilities have been suggested. Among them, differences in protein structure, oil content, and a Velveeta block's own desire to please.
Who Buys Velveeta?
Flickr Velveeta Gallery
People really like taking pictures of cheese.
Velveeta cat topping on fritatta
I Need to Know!
The Recipe for Velveeta Fudge
Human decency and some arm-twisting have dictated that I try this recipe. So, I did.
Please resist the urge to say "you'll never guess what's in it!" Believe me, people don't want to know.
NOTE: When I originally posted this, the recipe called for 1/2 cup dry milk. That was the one thing that tasted bad in the finished fudge. I have seen the recipe on the web alot without the milk, so here is the revised recipe, sans milk.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
8 ounces pasteurized process cheese, Velveeta, cubed
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, about 5 cups unsifted
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts
PREPARATION:
In a large saucepan over medium heat butter and cheese cubes together, stirring frequently; remove from heat. Sift together confectioners' sugar and cocoa; add to cheese, mixing well. Stir in vanilla and nuts. Turn into a 9x9x2-inch pan; chill until firm and cut into squares.
Makes about 3 pounds.
Good luck.
The History of Velveeta Processed Cheese Food
Photo courtesy of Faster Panda Kill Kill
Kraft introduced Velveeta© process cheese loaf in 1928 describing it as:
"A delicious Cheese Food consisting of Kraft Process American Cheese with added milk sugar, milk minerals and water."
For a complete history, including photos, visit Kraft's Official History of Velveeta
Let the World Know Just How Cheesy You Really Are
Fun things from CafePress
Velveeta in the Arts
I need your input here.
I'll bet you didn't know that Velveeta had such a vast influence on the Arts. Vote for your favorite Velveeta-themed name.
The Velveeta Rabbit
This is a Must Read. A transformation of the Velv more...2 points
Velveeta Underground
Okay, I haven't quite figured out these guys yet. more...1 point
Velveeta Camera
Say Cheese! There really is such a thing as the Ve more...1 point
MySpace.com - Psychedelic Velveeta! - WEST FARGO, North Dakota ...
MySpace. Sorry, this is after my time.0 points
National Velveeta
National Velveeta reunited for one special show, S more...0 points
MyToons Animation - Animation - Play - Fist Of Velveeta!
Not my thing, but my son thinks this is "very more...0 points
An Old Commercial on YouTube
Those slices must be mighty good!
More Recipes Using Velveeta
When you can't get enough of that sticky, gooey, rubbery taste, these sites are the answer to your prayers.
- Velveeta Recipes from Kraft
- It's their baby. They should know what to do with it. Party recipes, main dishes, and sandwiches.
- 1,364 Recipes Containing Velveeta
- Are you in cheese-food heaven, yet?
- Lasagne ala Velveeta
- Hey, it got good reviews.
- Velveeta Nutburgers
- No, I am not making this up. From a vintage Velveeta pamphlet.
- Homemade Velveeta Recipe
- You've been looking for this, I know. Well here it is. It's 1:00 am, you look in the fridge, and (gasp) somebody else has eaten the last of the Velveeta. Now you won't have to wait til morning when the stores open. Just whip up your own.
- Velveeta Easy Cheesy Fajita Dip
- A recipe developed in celebration of Velveeta's 75th anniversary. Do you think they used one of the original boxes from back then?
- Velveeta Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Another 75th anniversary gem from Kraft.
- Ultimate Velveeta Nachos
- It does melt better than real cheese.
For people who eat food
Vote for Your Favorite Cheesy Squidoo Lens
You can add your own selection, too.
How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
There's nothing like a grilled cheese sandwich and more...2 points
Velveeta is REAL Cheese!
Velveeta is REAL Cheese! Yeah yeah yeah, I know, V more...1 point
A Quick and Easy Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
I want to start by introducing myself! I am Thomas more...1 point
Ham and Cheese Pasta Casserole Recipe
Take that left over ham (or any ham) and turn it i more...1 point
Black Diamond Cheddar Cheese
If you are a die hard extra sharp cheddar cheese f more...0 points
How to Pair Wine and Cheese
Learn how to properly pair wine and cheese to enco more...0 points
Easy Mozzarella Made At Home!
I never would have thought that I could make chees more...0 points
How To Make Cheese
Here is a step to step guide on how to make cheese more...0 points
Grilled Cheese
Any cheese that melts will make a great Grilled Ch more...0 points
Cheesy Pickup Lines
Cheesy pickup lines are perfect ice breakers for t more...0 points
The Cheese Shop
Welcome to the Cheese Shop! Sliced, cubed, shredde more...0 points
How to Pair Wine and Cheese
Learn how to properly pair wine and cheese to enco more...0 points
Did You Know...?
Velveeta Recipe Tester Club, for those die-hard fans. Currently the project is on hold.
Join the discussion of things cheesy at Velveeta Forum and FluWiki forum.
Find out what to do when someone gives you 30 pounds of Velveeta as a gift at this site.
"Velveeta" is a popular name for rock bands, strippers, and drag queens.
If you're in the UK and want to get Velveeta, what do you do?
Books for Cheese Lovers
Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/05/2009) 
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
Amazon Price: $11.69 (as of 07/05/2009)
Cheese Primer
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/05/2009)
Home Cheese Making: Recipes for 75 Delicious Cheeses
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/05/2009)
Nutrition Facts for Regular Velveeta courtesy of www.NutritionData.com
Classic Commercial on YouTube
Let's all sing along. Just listening to this makes me happy.
Let me know you were here, and please rate this lens.
Tat2gal58 wrote
16 oz. of Velveeta plus a can of rotel melted together makes THE best late night-atfer drinking snack when paired with crisp corn chips!
Posted June 02, 2009
thewishpearl wrote...
I'm glad that I am not the only only one who uses Velveeta, in fact I have a recipe that uses Velveeta combined with other cheeses making the most amazing cheese bread you'll ever taste! Great lens!
Posted April 26, 2009
Dave C. wrote
We lived in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, from 1992 until 2005 and Velveeta was there. But it was different. It did not melt as well and had a bitter flavor. A number of products there seemed to have somewhat different recipes. Cheerios was another example; in this case, it was easily verifyable by checking the lable.
Posted April 05, 2009
Superwife wrote...
I'm not going to hide it, I love velveeta **blush**
hey there, great lens!!
Posted March 26, 2009
woodsnwind wrote
i take velveeta with me wherever i go.
Posted March 25, 2009
rare_bird wrote
My dogs love to take their allergy pills embedded in a lump of Velveeta. They look up with loving eyes hoping they just might get an extra serving. My husband microwave-melts chunks of Velveeta into a bowl of canned kidney beans. I won't touch the stuff myself and will only buy the lighter version with less fat. Idea: If they have to advertise it, it cannot be good for you - ever see an ad for fresh fruit?
Posted March 06, 2009
Ziona2000 wrote...
Uck. Now I know even more than I wanted about the non-cheese. Thanks ;-)
Posted February 17, 2009
gohogsgirl wrote
critics!!! y'all leave my velveeta alone!!!!
it's perfect :-)
in somethings
Posted February 06, 2009
gohogsgirl wrote
critics!!! y'all leave my velveeta alone!!!!
it's perfect :-)
in somethings
Posted February 06, 2009
nichol4511 wrote...
Great Lens, We love velveeta with broccoli thanks for sharing
Posted February 03, 2009
Isle of Squid
Velveeta... Exposed is now featured at the new Isle of Squid website. Isle Of Squid is a directory of the best lenses on Squidoo.com.Check out Isle Of Squid and Review this Site
Have you heard of this word?
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