The Stranded 19-Year-Old Who Invented American Cheese from Unwanted Leftovers

When it comes to food, Kraft is an industry juggernaut — worth $40 billion.

But it wasn’t always the giant that it is today. The history of Kraft starts with a man stranded in Chicago, who took his last $65 and began selling cheese from a horse-pulled wagon.

Then, he used leftover cheese scraps to experiment and find a new way to make cheese that lasted longer, which he shipped in tins to support the soldiers fighting in the first World War.

This is the story of how James L. Kraft built his food empire.

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[katerinachelmis]

Correction soft cheeses spoiled very fast; hard cheese is made to last upwards of a year at room temp.

[szk]

As an American expat living in France, I'm kinda surprised the American cheese market is relevant on a global scale. There are around 1200 varieties of delicious cheeses in France.

[dapper_gent]

I like how he used mice as his tasters, and they seemed to like it so he went and made the big step forward.

[ragingsilver]

It's amazing how so many big companies we know today started.

[orangeradishneo]

I’m a descendant of James L Kraft, a lot of us are still in the area he was born in. I even own a Kraft family cookbook of collected family recipes. The Kraft family homestead is still in Fort Erie, where descendants held reunions.

[bschwand]

cheese was invented to preserve milk.
some cheeses mature for 6 months or more.
Do not say cheese does not last without refrigeration...
Fresh cheese, yes, but there are plenty of hard cheese that do not really need serious refrigeration. A cellar does just fine.

[gholland]

American cheese and Kraft singles are two completely different products. The former can legally be called cheese while the latter can't. American cheese is just cheddar plus emulsifier, while Kraft singles are 32% American cheese, then milk, vegetable oil, milk solids, whey, water... And so on

[stefannilsson]

Some cheeses can last for many, years even if not refrigerated. There are lots of premium cheeses that have been aged for 5+ years.

[hmu]

Kraft-Heinz literally feeding the pharmaceutical industry

[ps]

When I tried Kraft cheese the first time, I thought it was the worst food in the world.

[shirleysmith]

When working Kraft Chese helped us to make quick inexpensive meals in our 70s now still eating Kraft cheese and enjoying it! 😂😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[russellalderman]

In the 1970s I lived in the Philippines. That was where I found canned Kraft cheddar. Wow! Shelf-stable cheese! I'd love to get some today.

[Oniontrololol]

I always prefer cheddar over American cheese in my burger whenever possible

[artiehealy]

So basically, Kraft singles are the hot dogs of the cheese world.

[The_Mess]

Meanwhile in Europe, cheese was salted and sometimes dried, which allowed it to last for ages. Which once milk start to be pasteurised allowed softer cheeses to last longer outside a fridge.

[fireaza]

You could say his cheese invention helped him make a LOT of cheddar!

[RC-nqmg]

This stuff tastes nothing like cheese. I generally call it plastic cheese as that is what its visual appeal and flavour remind me of. And if there is anyone out there that has never had a grilled cheese sandwich made with real cheddar you have no idea what your missing out on.

[Didgeridoovibes]

No electrical refrigerators doesn't mean there wheren't any - middle class and above aswell as grocery stores had special built cupboards with blocks of ice in one compartment and space for foods in another. Invented somewhen around mid 1750's

[USMC]

Ate it as a kid.

It's better to eat non processed cheese now.

[FatheredPuma]

While $2200 isn't a lot of money I do think it's a pretty reasonable amount of money to start a small basic business with...