{"id":1804308,"date":"2022-09-19T17:17:06","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T22:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1804308"},"modified":"2022-09-19T17:17:06","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T22:17:06","slug":"why-is-cheddar-cheese-orange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/why-is-cheddar-cheese-orange\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is Some Cheddar Cheese Orange?"},"content":{"rendered":"
There's so much to love about cheese. And while some of us may count Gouda or American cheese<\/a> as our favorite, cheddar cheese<\/a> is often the most popular choice of all. You know cheddar can range from sharp or mild with a creamy texture. But why is cheddar cheese orange<\/em>?<\/p>\r\n If you've ever wondered about this while making mac and cheese<\/a>, here's the explanation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Several centuries ago, English cheesemakers produced cheese with a yellow tone thanks to the milk from certain cows. These cows, often Jersey and Guernsey breeds, ate a lot of grass that was packed with beta-carotene, which gave the milk an orange-yellow tone.<\/p>\r\n Back then, cheddar cheese with a yellow hue was seen as a sign of quality. But as fraudsters have existed in some form for centuries, cheesemakers would use carrot juice or marigold to color their pale cheese and make it look higher quality. The tendency of adding color to cheese stuck around\u2014and now most of us think cheddar cheese is supposed to be orange!<\/p>\r\n\r\n Of course, in the modern era, most cheesemakers aren't coloring cheddar with marigold or carrot juice. Nowadays, people mostly use annatto, a food coloring made from the achiote tree, which gives it that orange hue we look for. The idea is not to change the flavor of the cheese at all, but to make the color more of what history has told us to expect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Nope. Some cheesemakers, particularly in the northeastern United States, choose to produce to white cheddar cheese. That won't affect the flavor of your cheddar cheese recipes<\/a>, though it might confuse your brain a bit. If your cheese of the month club<\/a> sends you a block of white cheddar, don't worry\u2014it'll still have a familiar flavor and texture.<\/p>\r\n \t\t\tWhy Is Cheddar Cheese Orange?<\/h2>\r\n
Beta-Carotene in Grass<\/h3>\r\n
Annatto<\/h3>\r\n
Is All Cheddar Cheese Orange?<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a><\/div>Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese<\/a>I am the mac and cheese maker for all family functions, and this version was created with my love of buffalo wings in mind. This spicy and tangy three-cheese macaroni is a huge hit at tailgates and potlucks. \u2014Caitlin Hawes, Westwood, Massachusetts
<\/a><\/div>Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese<\/a>Chick-fil-A is famous for its rich, creamy mac with a baked crispy top layer, and this copycat mac and cheese recipe stays true to the original. It features a blend of sharp cheddar, tangy Romano, nutty parmesan and melty American cheese and is baked in the oven for nice crunch on top. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Skillet Mac and Cheese<\/a>This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it\u2019s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I\u2019ve never met an adult who didn\u2019t love it just as much. \u2014Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
<\/a><\/div>Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese<\/a>Meet your new favorite mash-up: pulled pork mac and cheese. Pulled pork is swirled into the creamy pasta, and the dish is baked until it\u2019s bubbly and has crispy golden-brown edges. It's a great option to bring to a potluck, especially if you want to be invited back! \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Seafood Mac and Cheese<\/a>I wanted to try a luxurious version of mac and cheese with two of my favorite ingredients; lobster and cavatappi pasta. The result features gruyere, cheddar cheese and the perfect mix of seasonings\u2014a little cayenne and nutmeg. \u2014Rose Muccio, Methuen, Massachusetts
<\/a><\/div>Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese<\/a>Homemade cottage cheese mac and cheese is made even better with salty, tangy cottage cheese and two kinds of cheddar. Not only does cottage cheese add a lovely tanginess to this decadently rich mac and cheese, but it\u2019s also high in protein. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Cajun Mac and Cheese<\/a>This special mac and cheese recipe is the perfect combination of rich cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, smoky andouille sausage and touch of heat from Cajun seasoning. If you make it once, be ready for friends and family to ask you to make again! \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Tuna Mac and Cheese<\/a>We all know (and love!) tuna pasta salad or tuna noodle casserole. But tuna mac and cheese? Yes, please! The mild tuna and creamy, cheesy, buttery and toasty mac and cheese come together to create a decadent flavor combination of simple pantry ingredients. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Four-Cheese Mac and Cheese<\/a>Experience a heavenly blend of cheeses perfectly combined in this classic comfort food casserole. Al dente pasta is enveloped in a velvety cheese sauce that combines the sharpness of aged cheddar, the nuttiness of Gruyere, the creamy indulgence of fontina and the salty punch of Parmesan. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Jalapeno Mac and Cheese<\/a>Yep, get ready for a comfort food riff on the classic jalapeno popper appetizer! First chop up a few spicy peppers and add them to a rich pasta sauce filled with gooey mozzarella, sharp cheddar and cream cheese, then bake it to create a melty center and crispy top. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Hot Dog Mac and Cheese<\/a>Comforting mac and cheese with hot dogs is a nostalgic combo that brings you back to simple but beloved school-night dinners. This homemade casserole version gives you an ultra creamy sauce and total control of the ingredients. Add some roasted broccoli or a tossed salad to complete the meal. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Sausage Mac and Cheese<\/a>Adding sausage to mac and cheese makes the classic even cozier! The secret here is using a blend of cheeses and cream cheese, then mixing in browned bulk Italian sausage for extra protein and flavor. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Pimiento Mac and Cheese<\/a>Pimento mac and cheese is the happy result of two of the South's most beloved comfort dishes combining into one. Classic pimento cheese is a rich, creamy and tangy blend of shredded cheese, mayonnaise, and and pimiento peppers, served as a dip with crackers and veggies or made into sandwiches on white bread. It also is a fantastic enhancement to homemade mac and cheese. Bring this special mac and cheese to your next gathering and watch it steal the show. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Crockpot Mac and Cheese<\/a>This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish. I've never met anyone who didn't ask for a second helping. \u2014Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina
<\/a><\/div>Air-Fryer Mac and Cheese<\/a>Use your favorite kitchen appliance to make this creamy mac and cheese. The air-fryer gives this pasta dish a nice, cheesy crust finish. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Lobster Mac and Cheese<\/a>Anytime I cook with a cast-iron skillet I think of my Grammy, and this lobster mac and cheese is no exception. If you\u2019re like me, then there\u2019s no such thing as too much cheese, so add in as much as you\u2019d like. \u2014Erin Isaac, Columbus, Ohio
<\/a><\/div>Pizza Macaroni & Cheese<\/a>My grandma made this for us once when she came to visit and I never forgot just how good it was. Since my kids love anything with pepperoni and cheese, I thought they'd enjoy it just as much as I did. \u2014Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
<\/a><\/div>Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken<\/a>Prep once and feed the family twice when you double this chicken mac and cheese and freeze half of it. I created it for the people I love most, using ingredients they love most. \u2014Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
<\/a><\/div>White Cheddar Mac and Cheese<\/a>My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! \u2014Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
<\/a><\/div>Instant Pot Mac and Cheese<\/a>Ready in only 25 minutes, this gooey, cheesy Velveeta recipe reminds me so much of my grandma's macaroni and cheese. It is easier to make than from a box and has a nice homemade touch from the pepper. \u2014Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
<\/a><\/div>Bistro Mac & Cheese<\/a>I like to serve this mac & cheese with a salad and crusty bread. It's a satisfying meal that feels upscale, but will fit just about any budget. And because the Gorgonzola is so mild in this dish, even the kiddos will go for it. \u2014Charlotte Giltner, Mesa, Arizona
<\/a><\/div>Cavatappi Mac and Cheese<\/a>Dive fork-first into oodles of noodles baked to bubbly perfection and coated with a to-die-for sharp cheddar cheese sauce in this cavatappi, a grown-up version of mac and cheese. Hot sauce lends mild heat that\u2019s delectable with the smoky topping. \u2014Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida
<\/a><\/div>Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese<\/a>Classic old-fashioned baked macaroni and cheese comes together with just a little patience and a lot of butter, milk and cheese. Let it bake until bubbly for the most comforting meal ever.
<\/a><\/div>Cheddar Spirals<\/a>Our kids always loved this cheesy pasta and would sample a spoonful right from the slow cooker when they walked by. Adding cocktail sausages, sliced Polish sausage or cubed ham makes it a hearty dinner. \u2014Heidi Ferkovich, Park Falls, Wisconsin
<\/a><\/div>Potluck Mac and Cheese<\/a>Potluck mac and cheese features a rich, creamy cheese sauce that comes together in the slow cooker. This recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd at bring-your-own-dish parties and holiday dinners.
<\/a><\/div>Easy Chili Mac<\/a>This combines chili with one of my favorite pasta dishes. I often serve it for company or potlucks and occasionally add taco seasoning or use beanless chili and add black beans. \u2014Lee Steinmetz, Lansing, Michigan\r\n\r\n
<\/a><\/div>Southern Mac and Cheese<\/a>Southern mac and cheese is an uncomplicated comfort food favorite that uses affordable ingredients for a super rich dish.
<\/a><\/div>Veggie Mac and Cheese<\/a>This creamy mac and cheese definitely doesn't come from a box! Fresh veggies add crunch and color and will leave everyone asking for seconds. \u2014Marsha Morril, Harrisburg, Oregon
<\/a><\/div>Chili Mac Casserole<\/a>This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. \u2014Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota
<\/a><\/div>Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese<\/a>When I was a girl, Mama used Texas longhorn cheese in this recipe. After it melted all over the macaroni, I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful. \u2014Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas
<\/a><\/div>Italian Three-Cheese Macaroni<\/a>My husband is a self-proclaimed mac-and-cheese connoisseur and says that this is his favorite version. The Italian seasoning and tomatoes really complement the pasta and cheeses. \u2014Adriane Mummert, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
<\/a><\/div>Hamburger Macaroni Casserole<\/a>The definition of hearty comfort food, this hamburger macaroni casserole recipe couldn't be easier to whip up.
<\/a><\/div>Deep-Fried Mac & Cheese Shells<\/a>I created this deep fried mac and cheese recipe for my husband. He describes this recipe as unbelievably delicious because of the crispy deep-fried coating on the outside and the creamy richness on the inside. \u2014Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida
<\/a><\/div>Jalapeno-Bacon Mac & Cheese<\/a>All my dishes use ingredients that are usually sitting in the fire department pantry. I just adjust amounts depending on how many people we have on duty that day. This is always popular. \u2014Nick Kaczor, New Hudson, Michigan
<\/a><\/div>Deluxe Baked Macaroni and Cheese<\/a>I've been cooking and baking for many years, but I've only recently begun creating my own recipes. By adding diced ham, tomatoes, several cheeses and a hint of Dijon mustard, I turned this super creamy mac and cheese into the ultimate comfort food. \u2014Kathy Yarosh, Apopka, Florida\r\n\r\n
<\/a><\/div>Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese<\/a>Rev up classic mac and cheese with this ultra-comforting smoked gouda version. It\u2019s creamy, cheesy and irresistibly smoky. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
<\/a><\/div>Truffle Mac and Cheese<\/a>We love the mellow earthiness truffle adds to this baked mac and cheese, which is equally great for a cozy weeknight meal or fancy dinner party! Green onion adds a little freshness and color on top of the crunchy panko-and-Parmesan crust. \u2014Amber Gaines, Colorado Springs, Colorado
<\/a><\/div>French Onion Mac and Cheese<\/a>With garlic, thyme and caramelized onions, this smooth and creamy mac and cheese has everything you love about French onion soup. It's baked to perfection with Gruyere, Parmesan and Swiss cheeses. \u2014Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin