Processed Cheese.

[Sarah Davitt]

I would like to create some discussion around the topic of processed cheese -- the harbinger of globalization.

Please tell me the brands of processed cheese which are available in your chosen country and the general properties for proper selection for their use and maximum enjoyment.  (those stationed in France, Germany or other nicely developed countries with fomagerial monastic traditions, are kindly asked to keep their comments constructive.)

India:

Go Brand Cheese Block:  This is a softer, less flavourful cheese, that melts really easily, and works as a cheesy consistency making agent with some added flavours -- italian seasonings, or bullion cubes... this sort of thing.  It comes in a handy reusable box.

Go Brand Pizza Cheese:  similarly less flavorful, but this when frozen, grates a little more easily.  the only difference is a slight consistency which the author finds more useful and a little less fussy.

Amul Brand Cheese Cubes:  This is similar to the Go Brand, but come in little individual servings which are available in small qualities for the team-house with the vegans or significantly lactose intolerant.

Amul Brand Cheese Slices: This is a familiar packaging and less exciting for cooking use.  It makes a perfect snack that evokes "thanksgiving morning with grandma at age 7" and the appropriate warm fuzzies of childhood.  Despite the packaging, it does not make an excellent grilled cheese  sandwich.

Britannia Brand Cheese Block:  This in the author's humble opinion is the only fakeyfakey cheese worth buying in India.  It also comes in a reusable box, but it is the closest variety yet surveyed to the taste and consistency of Velveeta (it however does not have the ghastly orange color which gives away its unnatural composition.) When grilled between some day-old roti, with an american movie on the laptop, one can summarily forget that one is in country fresh, cheap, organic vegetables, in lieu of adventures or indulgent reveling in a byproduct of culture shock.

[R.]

Hi,

Well here in Indonesia there is Kraft processed cheese, displayed on shelves and not refrigerated.

I'm making the trek to the hypermarket ( a journey in itself) and will check out other brands when I am there and report back.

At home,( australia) the Kraft brand is kind of iconic, and it is always, always kept in the fridge.

Here it is sold in slices, small palm sized blocks and cubes.

As cheese goes, it's a  moderate substitute when toasted or grilled. By itself, the snack block is kind of chalky in consistency and not hugely big on flavour.

It doesn't measure up to Cheezsticks in flavour, which I haven't seen here yet.

I am a BIG cheese fan and when working overseas this, along with chocolate is my big treat when I can get it.

By the way, I was thrilled to discover in the hypermarket, a bit of a trek away,  there is ACTUAL CHEESE

at three times the normal price, but oh well.

Bega cheddar slices... the taste of true cheese. Bliss!

For those of you not from Australia, what I am about to say will sound truly disgusting, so stop reading right now.

Vegemite and cheese on whatever form of bread is available - delicious!

 cheers R

 

[Alanna Shaikh]

We have a processed feta-esque product that comes in two brands: fetaki and La vache de Paris. We also have locally made yellow cheese blocks.

[Andrea Dekrout]

In Bougainville we had blocks of Kraft processed cheese that came in “cheddar” or “white” and did not need refrigeration. Nor did it really melt it more went crispy if you tried to use it grated on pizza or something like that.

Here in Botswana we have a lot of  (expensive)cheese options that get brought in from South Africa, but my favourite cheese-alternative is cheese flavoured Aromat seasoning – it’s like fake parmesan sprinkles laced with MSG. It is absolutely awesome on popcorn.