Food Lens Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Food Lens · Dairy
Shredded cheese
Mild to sharp depending on the cheese, with a slightly drier texture than freshly shredded.
Lens analyzedShredded cheese is cheese pre-cut into thin strands, usually cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend, coated lightly in starch to keep the strands from clumping in the bag. That coating is also why it melts slightly differently than cheese shredded fresh off a block.
Where it comes from
Pre-shredded cheese became widely available in North American grocery stores in the late 20th century as packaging technology made it possible to keep loose shreds from sticking together in the bag. It caught on quickly as a time-saving alternative to grating a block at home for tacos, pizza, and casseroles.
Buying it
Check the bag for shreds that move freely rather than clumping into a solid mass, a sign of moisture getting in. Compare the ingredient list if you want to avoid added starch, which some brands include more of than others.
Storing it
Keep the bag sealed and refrigerated; use within about three weeks of opening, pressing out air each time to slow it from drying out.
Keeps about 21 days in the fridge.
Recipes that use shredded cheese
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