Cream cheese is a soft, mild-tasting fresh cheese made from milk and cream. source
Cream cheese is a soft, mild-tasting fresh cheese made from milk and cream.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines cream cheese as containing at least 33% milk fat with a moisture content of not more than 55%, and a pH range of 4.4 to 4.9. source
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines cream cheese as containing at least 33% milk fat with a moisture content of not more than 55%, and a pH range of 4.4 to 4.9.
In other countries, cream cheese is defined differently and may need a considerably higher fat content. source
In other countries, cream cheese is defined differently and may need a considerably higher fat content.
Cream cheese is not naturally matured and is meant to be consumed fresh, so it differs from other soft cheeses such as Brie and Neufchâtel. source
Cream cheese is not naturally matured and is meant to be consumed fresh, so it differs from other soft cheeses such as Brie and Neufchâtel.
Cream cheese is more comparable in taste, texture, and production methods to Boursin and Mascarpone. source
Cream cheese is more comparable in taste, texture, and production methods to Boursin and Mascarpone.
Recipes for cream cheese can be found in U.S. cookbooks and newspapers beginning in the mid-18th century. source
Recipes for cream cheese can be found in U.S. cookbooks and newspapers beginning in the mid-18th century.
By the 1820s, the dairy farms in and around Philadelphia and New York City had gained a reputation for producing the best examples of this cheese. source
By the 1820s, the dairy farms in and around Philadelphia and New York City had gained a reputation for producing the best examples of this cheese.
Cream cheese was produced on family farms throughout the country, so quantities made and distributed were typically small. source
Cream cheese was produced on family farms throughout the country, so quantities made and distributed were typically small.
Around 1873, William A. Lawrence, a Chester, New York, dairyman, was the first to mass-produce cream cheese. source
Around 1873, William A. Lawrence, a Chester, New York, dairyman, was the first to mass-produce cream cheese.
In 1872, he purchased a Neufchâtel factory and shortly thereafter, by adding cream to the process, was able to create a richer cheese that he called “cream cheese”. source
In 1872, he purchased a Neufchâtel factory and shortly thereafter, by adding cream to the process, was able to create a richer cheese that he called “cream cheese”.
In 1877, he created the first brand of cream cheese: its logo was a silhouette of a cow followed by the words: Neufchatel & Cream Cheese. source
In 1877, he created the first brand of cream cheese: its logo was a silhouette of a cow followed by the words: Neufchatel & Cream Cheese.
In 1879, to create a larger factory, Lawrence entered into an arrangement with another Chester merchant, Samuel S. Durland. source
In 1879, to create a larger factory, Lawrence entered into an arrangement with another Chester merchant, Samuel S. Durland.
In 1880, Alvah Reynolds, a New York cheese distributor, began to sell the cheese of Lawrence & Durland and called it "Philadelphia Cream Cheese". source
In 1880, Alvah Reynolds, a New York cheese distributor, began to sell the cheese of Lawrence & Durland and called it "Philadelphia Cream Cheese".
Some of Green’s cheese was now also sold under the Philadelphia label. source
Some of Green’s cheese was now also sold under the Philadelphia label.
In 1892, Reynolds bought the Empire Cheese Co. of South Edmeston, New York, to produce cheese under his "Philadelphia" label. source
In 1892, Reynolds bought the Empire Cheese Co. of South Edmeston, New York, to produce cheese under his "Philadelphia" label.
Cream cheese is easy to make at home, and many methods and recipes are used. source
Cream cheese is easy to make at home, and many methods and recipes are used.
Cream cheese can be used for many purposes in sweet and savoury cookery. source
Cream cheese can be used for many purposes in sweet and savoury cookery.
Cream cheese is in the same family of ingredients as other milk products, such as cream, milk, butter, and yogurt. source
Cream cheese is in the same family of ingredients as other milk products, such as cream, milk, butter, and yogurt.