Why is American the only flavor of cheese slices?

Question

I was grilling burgers for the Fourth today and was reminded of a perennial question of mine: Why is it that the only flavor of individually-wrapped cheese slices is American (which is not even legally speaking cheese, but a processed cheese product)? I've seen slices of cheddar sold, but they aren't individually wrapped. Fat lot of good that does me when I eat one every two or three months or so. I read the Wikipedia article on processed cheese, and I see it has two characteristics that might affect the marketability of slices of other cheese: processed cheese has a longer shelf life, and it doesn't separate when it melts on a burger. But the latter bit doesn't explain why they don't try to sell to those who make sandwiches. Which leaves the question of shelf life; perhaps the shelf life of regular cheese is so short it's not feasible? But regular cheese will last forever if properly packaged; perhaps that's the only issue. Any other thoughts?

I do remember encountering an individually wrapped "cheddar" -- that tasted exactly like American cheese!

Anything other than American is "fancy"?

Oh that's a cynical twist: American slices aren't prepackaged for the customer's convenience; they are prepackaged out of sheer necessity. I like it.

Answer 1

I have had swiss, colby, cheddar, and montery jack from packages that had individually wrapped slices. Somehow they all had that "american" flavor in it.

American slices are indiviually wrapped because they are so soft and pliable that they would melt together at room temperature. By the time you finished grilling your 3rd burger, your american slices would be one big ugly 4x4 block.

Answer 2

If you store sliced "real" cheese in a ziplock bag it will last about a month before getting hard or gross. The wrapping part, I dont get either, seems like a "slam dunk" for everyone addicted to conveinence foods. Just buy regular good cheese from the deli and put it in a good quality ziplock. You can also buy cheese in a chunk and slice it as you need it.

Answer 3

Non-processed cheeses are cut into blocks and sent like that to the stores. The processors may not see the need to make individually wrapped Havarti Dill cheese.

Try going to an upscale market or a cheese store. They will slice your cheeses for you, and wrap them the way you want.

Answer 4

I guess pepole mostly put American on burgers and such.
I would like sliced pre wrapped cheese like Provalone for burgers or sandwiches.
Now I just buy it at the deli and they slice it and I wrap it.

Answer 5

Kraft makes process Swiss chesse with no holes - packaged just like American; they also package cheddar slices the same way. I got them once - you just need to really look where the Kraft singles are to find them.

Answer 6

That's only in America. Outside of America you can get lots of different types of cheese slices.

Answer 7

because the other cheeses are too damn expensive too put in single slices nobody will be able to afford those plus who uses the fancy cheeses that often?