Is it possible to get American-style cream cheese in the UK?
As far as I can tell, the "cream cheese" in UK supermarkets isn't much at all like the foil-wrapped cream cheese blocks I remember from my youth in the U.S. (not even the ones sold under the Philadelphia label). The UK cream cheese is more of a spread, definitely seems much more processed, different texture, and different — though similar — taste.
I have several reasons for wanting it: Baking a cheesecake, a couple of other recipes² that use it, and I frankly just prefer it.
Other than from absurdly-expensive¹ American import boutique shops, is it possible to get U.S.-style cream cheese in the UK? Some other term for it or...?
¹ (along the lines of £24 for 1.3 kg)
² ("recipe" may be a bit over-the-top for one of them: taking the block, dumping salsa over it, and eating it with tortilla chips)
Best Answer
The best way to 'get cream cheese' is to make cream cheese, fortunately it isn't difficult. Here is a great video detailing how you can make cream cheese yourself with whole milk (full-fat) milk and lemon juice. This will be very much like the Philadelphia brand cheese you are looking for.
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What is American cream cheese in UK?
If you put "cream cheese" into the search engines of most UK supermarket websites then you will find that they will bring up Philadelphia and soft white cheese.Is American cream cheese different to UK?
I went searching this morning to find out of UK and US cream cheese is the same thing. I am making a pumpkin cheesecake recipe posted by Martha Stewart as "quick and easy." I enjoyed reading the dialogue from years back. Hope some of you are still participating on MumsNet.Can you buy Philadelphia cream cheese in the UK?
Full fat soft cheese. See our recipes at www.philadelphia.co.uk for more delicious inspiration.What is American cream cheese?
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. Similarly, under Canadian Food and Drug Regulations cream cheese must contain at least 30% milk fat and a maximum of 55% moisture.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Arina Krasnikova, Larissa Farber, Sebastian Coman Photography, Cats Coming