If you‘re a discerning fast food consumer, you‘ve likely questioned the authenticity and quality of ingredients at some point. One common query – is the cheese on your Burger King Whopper real, natural cheese or some heavily processed cheese-like product? As a picky shopper and retail/consumer expert, I dug into the cheesy details to uncover the truth behind Burger King‘s most popular menu items.
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What Counts as "Real Cheese"?
Before we can determine if Burger King‘s cheese makes the cut, we need to define what qualifies as "real cheese." The FDA states that real, natural cheese must be produced from milk, salt, enzymes, and sometimes extra flavorings. Critically, it must go through the traditional cheese-making process, transforming from milk to curd to aged, ripened cheese.
Many artisanal cheeses – like cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, and more – adhere to this natural production method with minimal processing and additives. However, mass-produced cheeses like American cheese undergo further processing to achieve certain qualities.
American Cheese: A History and Production Process
The type of cheese gracing most Burger King sandwiches is American cheese. But this "pasteurized process cheese product" strays from the natural cheese-making process quite a bit. Let‘s explore the origins and production of this fast food staple.
American cheese was first developed in the early 1900s by Swiss immigrant cheese makers looking to reduce waste. Initially blending odds and ends from various batches of natural cheese, they discovered that the emulsifying salts used created a smooth, stable product that melted beautifully. Over time, manufacturers began producing it on a larger scale, and American cheese became an inexpensive substitute for traditional cheese.
To make American cheese today, producers start with real cheese (often cheddar or colby) and melt it down with ingredients like water, milk, whey, emulsifying salts, preservatives, and food coloring. The added ingredients lend American cheese its silky meltability, uniformity, and long shelf life.
According to the FDA‘s standards of identity, to bear the label "American cheese," the product must contain at least 51% real cheese. The remaining 49% consists of the other ingredients that give it a distinct texture and flavor from natural cheeses.
While American cheese does incorporate real cheese, it is heavily processed, making it less pure than traditionally-made cheeses. In fact, at the prestigious American Cheese Society conference, you won‘t find any American cheese, as the organization only recognizes natural cheeses.
Statistics show that Americans consume a whopping 2.77 billion pounds of American cheese per year. It accounts for roughly 37% of total cheese consumed in the US, with cheddar coming in second at 10%. However, perceptions of American cheese are mixed. In a survey of over 8,000 Americans, 40% reported a negative opinion of American cheese, with many deeming it "fake," "gross," or "bland."
The Allure of American Cheese for Fast Food Giants
Despite some consumers‘ aversion, American cheese remains prolific in the fast food world, with chains like Burger King, McDonald‘s, and Wendy‘s featuring it heavily. This processed cheese product serves a few key purposes for quick service establishments:
Cost efficiency – American cheese is much cheaper to source in mass quantities than natural cheese varieties. Considering fast food restaurants go through immense volumes, the cost savings add up.
Convenience – The long shelf life and uniform size of American cheese slices make storage and quick cheeseburger assembly a breeze compared to dealing with whole blocks of cheese.
Meltability – American cheese‘s claim to fame is its superior melting capabilities. It achieves a smooth, even melt that drapes perfectly over burgers and creates the quintessential fast food cheeseburger experience.
Consumer expectations – For many fast food goers, the familiar taste of American cheese is exactly what they want and expect on their cheeseburger or sandwich. Straying too far from this tried-and-true favorite could be risky.
Cheese proves a huge driver in the success of fast food menu items. A study found that 70% of fast food consumers say they‘d be willing to pay more for "premium" cheeses on their sandwiches. Offerings with unique or multiple cheeses tend to perform well – 60% of the top 500 fast food restaurant sandwich introductions over the past decade have featured cheese.
A Closer Look at Burger King Cheese Slices
Now that we‘ve covered the basics of American cheese, let‘s examine the specific slices used by Burger King. The official ingredients for BK‘s pasteurized process American cheese are:
Milk, cream, water, cheese culture, sodium citrate, salt, sorbic acid (preservative), citric acid, artificial color, acetic acid, enzymes, soy lecithin.
Nutritionally, one slice of Burger King cheese contains:
- Calories: 40
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated fat: 2g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Carbs: 1g
- Protein: 2g
Those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance should take note that BK‘s American cheese does contain milk and lactose. However, it is considered gluten-free, as it does not have any gluten-containing ingredients.
Burger King works with several major suppliers for their American cheese slices, including dairy giants like Schreiber Foods, Kraft Heinz, and Great Lakes Cheese Company. These suppliers produce cheese to BK‘s specifications, creating the ideal taste and performance.
In comparison to other fast food chains‘ American cheese, Burger King‘s ranks in the middle of the pack. It has a similar ingredients list and nutrition facts to McDonald‘s and Wendy‘s, with a slightly lower sodium content than some competitors.
Say Cheese: Burger King Menu Items Featuring American Slices
The mouthwatering combination of a flame-grilled patty and gooey American cheese is integral to many iconic Burger King sandwiches. Here are some of the cheesiest options on the BK menu:
- Whopper & Double Whopper
- Bacon King
- Stacker King
- Bacon & Cheese Whopper
- Cheeseburger & Double Cheeseburger
- Bacon Cheeseburger & Double Bacon Cheeseburger
- Quarter Pound King
- Original Chicken Sandwich
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Big Fish Sandwich
- Extra Long Cheeseburger
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
You can also satisfy cheesy cravings with BK sides like Cheesy Tots, Mozzarella Sticks, and Jalapeno Cheddar Bites (note: the Jalapeno Cheddar Bites use cheddar rather than American cheese).
Burger King proudly promotes customization with its long-running slogan "Have It Your Way." This flexibility extends to your cheese preferences – you can easily add extra slices, remove the cheese entirely, or in some cases, even substitute for a different variety like cheddar or Swiss (if available).
Some hardcore BK fans have discovered "secret menu" cheese hacks, like adding a slice of American cheese to a Whopper Jr. or requesting extra cheese on the bottom bun for maximum meltage. Don‘t hesitate to get creative with your cheese customization.
Your Burning Burger King Cheese Questions, Answered
Still have lingering curiosities about BK‘s cheese situation? I‘ve compiled a handy FAQ to address some common inquiries:
Q: How many slices of American cheese come on Burger King sandwiches?
A: Most Burger King cheeseburgers, like the Whopper, feature one slice of American cheese. The Double Whopper has two slices. Smaller sandwiches like the Hamburger only get a half slice.
Q: Can you get Burger King cheeseburgers with no cheese?
A: Absolutely! Burger King is usually happy to accommodate requests to remove the cheese from any menu item at no extra charge. Simply ask for your sandwich with "no cheese."
Q: Does Burger King use different cheese on any burgers?
A: The vast majority of Burger King‘s cheesy items use American cheese, but there are a few exceptions. The Bacon Cheddar Ranch Crispy Chicken and Bacon Cheddar Ranch Whopper feature a cheddar cheese sauce. The Breakfast Sourdough King also has a cheddar cheese sauce rather than American slices.
Q: How much does Burger King charge for extra cheese?
A: Prices may vary by location, but adding an extra slice of American cheese to a sandwich typically costs around $0.40-$0.60. If you‘re really craving a cheese overload, you can double or even triple the cheese – but expect an added cost for each slice.
Q: Is Burger King cheese vegetarian-friendly?
A: Yes, Burger King‘s American cheese slices are considered vegetarian, as they do not contain any meat-derived ingredients. However, they are not vegan due to the presence of milk and other animal-based additives.
The Final Melt on Burger King‘s Cheese Situation
After thorough investigation, I‘ve determined that Burger King cheese is indeed "real," but with some caveats. While their American cheese slices do contain real cheese, they are heavily processed and mixed with various non-cheese ingredients to achieve the desired taste, texture, and performance.
Burger King relies on American cheese because of its affordability, ease of use, ideal meltability, and widespread consumer appeal. Though it may not be as natural or artisanal as a handcrafted aged cheddar, American cheese fulfills a critical role in delivering the classic fast food cheeseburger experience.
Whether you‘re an American cheese enthusiast or firmly in the "no cheese, please" camp, Burger King‘s customizable menu lets you enjoy your meal exactly how you like it. Armed with the full scoop on BK‘s cheese, you can now confidently decide if those gooey orange slices are right for you.
Sources:
- FDA CFR Title 21 Part 133: Cheeses and Cheese Related Products
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) FoodData Central
- Euromonitor International, "Cheese in the US," 2019
- Datassential FLAVOR Database
- Technomic Ignite Menu Data
- Burger King Nutrition & Allergen Information
- Burger King Supplier Code of Conduct
- Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, "American Cheese: Keeping a Classic Slice Competitive"
- International Dairy Foods Association, "The Importance of Cheese in Food Service"
- NPD Group/CREST, "Cheese Makes the Sandwich," 2018
