Is cheese a condiment? This is one question that a lot of individuals have in mind. Although it is a common household item, many people really do not know what cheese actually is, and whether or not it should be included in the condiment class.
So is cheese a condiment? Cheese is not a condiment. A condiment is a sauce or seasoning that is typically added to food to enhance the flavor. Cheese is not a sauce or seasoning, but rather it is a type of dairy product that is made from milk and cream.
The main ingredient in cheese is milk. To turn this milky liquid into cheese, the curds are separated from the whey then pressed together with a binding agent such as citric acid.
Cheese – Not A Condiment
Cheese is definitely not a condiment.
A condiment is a tasty food that is used to add flavor or variety to another dish. Condiments can be in liquid or paste forms and are added to foods directly before being eaten, adding flavor without changing the consistency of the main ingredient.
An example of a condiment would be mayonnaise. It is an emulsification of egg yolks, vegetable oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and seasonings.
Mayonnaise is used as a condiment to sandwiches or salads, but it does not change the main dish’s consistency.
Cheese, on the other hand, is a dairy product that can be used for different recipes. It does change the consistency of the main ingredient that it is added to, making pizza or sandwiches into cheese-filled dishes. Changing the original dish’s consistency automatically makes cheese, not a condiment.
Is Cheese A Food Or A Topping?
The answer to this question is both.
Cheese is a food that can be eaten on its own, but it can also be used as a topping for different dishes such as pizzas and sandwiches.
Toppings are considered secondary ingredients added to foods, mostly desserts, because they give flavor instead of making up the main dish’s texture or consistency.
When cheese is used as a topping, it changes the texture and consistency of a dish to make it taste better or more appealing to eat.
For example, when grated cheese is added to pasta or pizza, it gives the dish an interesting flavor and enjoyable texture. This automatically makes cheese a topping instead of the main ingredient.
Is Melted Cheese A Condiment?
Melted cheese is not a condiment. Although it can give flavor to other food items like sandwiches and pizzas, melted cheese does not change the texture and consistency of the main ingredients in any recipe.
When grated or sliced cheese is simply added to a dish without melting it first, it becomes part of the main ingredient’s texture and consistency. For example, when cheese is added to a sandwich or a pizza, it melts and becomes part of the bread or dough.
However, melted cheese does not become a secondary ingredient that changes the texture and consistency of food items like grated or sliced cheeses do.
Is Cream Cheese A Condiment?
Cream cheese is a soft white cheese that has been whipped to create a creamy texture. Although cream cheese is often used as a spread, it can also be combined with other ingredients for different recipes, such as quesadillas and lasagna.
Because of its creamy consistency, cream cheese does not have an overpowering taste, so sometimes, people add their own flavor to it.
This makes cream cheese a spreadable food that can be used for different recipes and not just as a condiment.
Is Cheese Sauce A Condiment?
The cheese sauce is made by combining milk, butter, flour, spices, and cheeses then cooking it until the mixture has thickened into a smooth paste. It can be used to top chicken or hotdogs or to dress pasta.
Because cheese sauces are usually made by mixing ingredients with other food items like pasta, they cannot be considered condiments.
This is because they are considered the main ingredients which can be eaten on their own.
However, you can consider cheese sauces as condiments if the sauce is made by combining other ingredients without changing the main dish’s consistency or texture.
What Is Blue Cheese Sauce?
Blue cheese sauce is made by mixing blue cheese, butter, lemon juice, wine, and seasonings.
Although it usually accompanies chicken or steak dishes instead of being eaten on its own (like most other condiments), this sauce does not change the main dish’s consistency.
Because it is considered a separate food item that can be eaten on its own, blue cheese sauce is considered a dipping sauce instead of a condiment.
Is Cheese Dip A Condiment?
If it’s not, what the hell is it? The cheese sauce is definitely a no.
It can be put on hot dogs, but that doesn’t make it a condiment. Likewise, some people claim that cheese spread out of crackers makes for good snack food, but spreads are typically not condiments.
As far as I know, there’s only one way to really make cheese a condiment, and that’s to use it in the following manner.
I don’t think this is how most people do it, but I’m pretty sure this would be accepted by everyone I know as a legitimate way of making cheese into a condiment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cheese is not a condiment. It may be used to make condiments, or it might be paired with condiments, but in general, cheese is considered a foodstuff.
Cheese is most commonly used as a topping for pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. However, it is also mixed with other ingredients to make sauces like cream cheese, which can be used on different dishes or eaten alone.
