Sargento just launched a new product that the brand says they’ve been working on for years. It’s “100% natural” American cheese slices, making it the first American cheese on the market that can be classified as real cheese. This surprised me; I didn’t realize American cheese couldn’t be called cheese at all.

Of course, I knew that American cheese was processed and that it may have a couple more ingredients than your average cheese. But I didn’t know that it wasn’t considered cheese at all—and instead is technically called a “cheese product.” So what exactly is American cheese, and what makes Sargento’s new product any different? Here’s what I found. 

What Is American Cheese?

According to the Code of Federal Regulations, American cheese is defined as a “cold-pack cheese food.” This is because the cheese is made with a blend of cheeses, typically Cheddar, Colby Jack, washed curd cheese and granular cheese. It may also include emulsifying agents, water, salt and artificial coloring, whereas natural cheese is simply made from draining coagulated milk.

Because American cheese is not made like cheese, it’s typically labeled a “processed cheese product” or “cheese food.” The taste of American cheese is usually mild, and it is commonly used as an ideal melty cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich or a burger.

What Makes Sargento American Cheese ‘Natural’?

So what exactly is in Sargento’s new American cheese—and how is it a natural version? First, it’s made with a fraction of the ingredients used in its competitors. Sargento’s version includes just five ingredients: pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes and vegetable coloring. Because this version is not a blend of cheeses and is made of 100% real cheese, it can be classified as “cheese.”

But how does it taste? Our food editor Alex Loh recently tried the new product, and she gives it a thumbs up.

“This cheese definitely reminds me of American cheese, but it feels and tastes real,” Loh says. “Other American cheese can sometimes feel like plastic and have an artificial taste, but Sargento doesn’t. It has a mild sharpness, which I like, as it doesn’t overpower the other flavors in the dish. The cheese melts incredibly well; I’ve used it to make grilled cheese and it’s just perfect, giving you the ooey-gooey interior that you want in a grilled cheese.”

If you’re looking for a more natural version of American cheese, Sargento’s newest product is up your alley. Try these slices in our Rotisserie Chicken Salad Melt for a cheesy, savory bite.