WHICH CREAM CHEESES ARE CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE?
CREAM CHEESES — CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE®
Information updated May 2024
Although only a few of us ever make homemade Cream Cheese, it consists of just four ingredients:
PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE is the #1 U.S. Cream Cheese
Although both are designated as “Original”, the Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese in the Brick — below left — has five ingredients while there are 13 ingredients in Philadelphia Original Whipped Cream Cheese Spread — below right.
Philadelphia Original in the Brick is not certified as Closest To Homemade because it contains added Carob Bean Gum which is Not In Kitchen™ when making homemade Cream Cheese.
WHEYS and GUMS in the SPREAD: Added to give the product a softer, spreadable consistency.
PRESERVATIVES in the SPREAD: Added to keep the product fresher longer since the Cream Cheese has greater exposure to oxygen while it is in use; once the lid is open, the entire surface is exposed to oxygen and the lid usually stays off for a minute or more. (Source for ingredients: Kraft Heinz Philadelphia Cream Cheese Web site 5/25)
Seen below, these Flavored Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spreads contain way more than just the ingredient noted in the flavor descriptor including added Sugar:
Following are some Cream Cheeses which contain added Gum(s):
Here’s a closer look at what’s inside two of the brands just noted >> Whole Foods 365 and Private Label Cream Cheese from Giant stores contain the exact same ingredients but Whole Foods 365 costs 30¢ more for an 8oz. package:
CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE: Following are some Cream Cheeses made with only the type of ingredients we would use at home. These include offerings from the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, Champlain Valley Creamery based in Vermont, Russ & Daughters based in Manhattan, and Nancy’s with added Probiotic Cultures.
Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list
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And we leave you with some Philadelphia Cream Cheese history . . .
