Pasteurized process cheese is a blend of fresh and aged natural cheese that have been mixed and heated (cooked) with an addition of an emulsifier salt, after which no further ripening occurs. Other food ingredients may also be added for flavor and function. These products, available in a variety of color intensities and flavors tailored to food processing applications, are often selected for their uniform melt, consistent flavor and excellent slicing properties.
Processed cheese providers can impart a wide range of melting characteristics, from high-temperature products to slow-melt and extra-melt varieties. Plus, physical and organoleptic properties of these products can be accurately varied to meet flavor and texture requirements.