Cheese is made by curdling milk, usually with rennet or acid, separating the solid curds from the liquid whey, then salting, pressing and often ageing them. During ageing, enzymes and bacteria break down proteins and fat into the savoury, tangy and nutty compounds that give each cheese its character. Cheddar, the most common cheese flavour in snacks, is a firm cheese aged from weeks to years.
Fresh cheese would make crisps soggy, so in snacks it mostly arrives dried, as cheese powder or as part of a cheese seasoning, or baked into crackers. Real cheese brings an umami depth and tang that flavourings alone find hard to match.
Cheese comes from milk, a major allergen. Some cheeses are made with animal rennet, so not every cheese is vegetarian. Pringles Cheez Ums is one of the cheese snacks on SeekSnack.
