Powdered cheese is a good meals to have for emergency preparedness. It may well make even the blandest meals (assume plain rice or pasta) style good.
However powdered cheese is likely one of the costlier catastrophe meals to purchase, and the cheaper choices don’t final very lengthy. On high of that, many powdered cheese merchandise hardly comprise any actual cheese in any respect.
If you’re confused about which powdered cheese to purchase for long-term storage, here’s what you’ll want to know.
Greatest Powdered Cheese Choices
These are one of the best powdered cheeses for prepping.
The highest three have very lengthy shelf lives.
The remaining powdered cheese merchandise will should be repackaged for long-term storage, otherwise you’ll must rotate via them inside 1-2 years.
1. NutriStore Freeze-Dried Powdered Cheese
Verdict: Greatest General Powdered Cheese. It has a 25-year shelf life, is an effective worth for the quantity you get, and is usually actual cheese.
Assessment:
NutriStore makes cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack powdered cheese. The model will get our choose for greatest powdered cheese for just a few causes. First off, it’s freeze-dried and packaged in #10 cans, which is why it has a formidable shelf lifetime of 25 years.
Not like many different manufacturers of cheese powder, this one is made with actual substances. The one additive is powdered cellulose, which helps forestall caking. The diet is sweet, and it has extra calcium and protein than you’d discover in manufacturers with a lot of fillers.
There are over 2 lbs of cheese powder per can, so whereas a single can isn’t low cost, it’s a fairly whole lot for the quantity you get.
- Varieties: Cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack
- Substances (for cheddar): Cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, and annatto), natural powdered cellulose (anti-caking)
- Packaging: #10 cans,
- Measurement:1oz
- Shelf life: 25 years
- Diet (per 27g)
- Energy: 180
- Calcium: 192mg/15% RDA
- Protein: 11g
2. Legacy Meals Powdered Cheese Mix
Verdict: Good powdered cheese for long-term storage in the event you don’t thoughts synthetic substances.
Assessment:
The powdered cheese by Legacy Meals will get our #2 choose. It’s extra inexpensive than the cheese powder from NutriStore. It additionally is available in resealable baggage, which is extra handy.
The rationale it’s cheaper, although, has to do with the substances. It’s largely made from whey and starches, so gained’t have as tacky of a taste. It additionally doesn’t have as a lot calcium or protein. Contemplating the worth and the 10-15 yr shelf life, it’s nonetheless a wonderful selection for catastrophe prepping.
- Kind: Powdered cheese mix
- Substances: Whey solids, maltodextrin, milk fats, salt, buttermilk, cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cultures, salts, enzymes), modified meals starch, xanthan gum, pure flavoring and annatto
- Packaging: Resealable Mylar bag
- Measurement: 2lbs
- Shelf life: 10-15 years
- Diet (per 28g)
- Energy: 130
- Calcium: 98mg/8% RDA
- Protein: 2g
3. Augason Farms Cheese Powder
Verdict: The Colby cheese powder is incredible and has no bizarre substances. Too unhealthy it’s typically out of inventory!
Assessment:
Augason Farms is one in every of my favorite brands of emergency food. They make two kinds of powdered cheese: mix and Colby. IMO, their Colby cheese powder is a lot better than the mix. It is available in smaller cans (1lb 14oz) that are extra handy, has a shelf lifetime of as much as 30 years, and is pure substances.
Against this, the Cheese Mix is available in large cans and incorporates lots of components. As a result of it’s cheaper, although, the Cheese Mix is their extra standard product.
An annoying factor: In the meanwhile, Augason Farms is just not promoting by way of their web site, solely by way of third events like Amazon.
- Varieties: Cheese mix, Colby
- Substances
- Cheese mix: Cheese sauce combine (whey, nonfat dry milk, cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes), salt, pure flavors, butter (cream), buttermilk, lactic acid, annatto, extractives of paprika, pure vitamin E, modified meals starch, creamer (maltodextrin, palm oil, 2% or much less of sodium caseinate, dipotassium phosphate, mono and diglycerides, sodium aluminosilicate, pure taste, annatto extract, sodium hexametaphosphate, silicon dioxide, pure orange coloration
- Colby: Colby cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, annatto)
- Packaging: #10 can
- Measurement: 3lbs 4oz (Cheese mix), 1lb 14oz (Colby)
- Shelf life: 10 years (Cheese mix), as much as 30 years (Colby)
- Diet (Cheese Mix, per 34g)
- Energy: 120
- Calcium: 206mg/15% RDA
- Protein: 5g
4. Hoosier Farms Powdered Cheese
Verdict: Good price range powdered cheese for shorter-term storage. Select the Pure White Cheddar or Blue Cheese in order for you pure substances.
Assessment:
Hoosier Farms make tons of several types of powdered cheese. It’s fairly complicated making an attempt to determine which one to purchase! Their most “actual” choice is the Pure White Cheddar.
A lot of the Hoosier Farm cheese powder is available in plastic containers. These are not meant for catastrophe prepping and solely have a shelf lifetime of about 1 yr. You’ll must repackage it with oxygen absorbers to make it last more. In addition they have some cheese powder that is available in small 3oz resealable Mylar baggage. These will last more, however it’s not clear precisely how for much longer.
Their Cheddar Cheese powder is the preferred however does comprise a lot of components, together with synthetic coloring. If you would like one thing extra “actual,” select their Pure White Cheddar. It’s nearly fully actual cheese.
- Varieties: Numerous choices
- Packaging: Plastic containers with screw lid, resealable Mylar baggage
- Sizes: 1lb, 3oz
- Shelf life: 10-12 months
- Diet (per 8g, Cheddar Cheese)
- Energy: 35
- Calcium: 37mg/2% RDA
- Protein: 1g
Substances for Hoosier Farms Powder Cheese:
- Premium Pure Cheddar Cheese Powder: Whey, Buttermilk Solids, Whey Protein Focus, Granular Cheese (Milk, Cheese Tradition, Salt, Enzymes), Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Tradition, Salt, Enzymes), Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Accommodates Much less Than 2% of Citric Acid, Paprika Oleoresin (Shade), Lactic Acid, Annatto (Shade)
- Cheddar Cheese Powder: Granular cheese (milk, cheese tradition, salt, enzymes), whey, sunflower oil, whey protein focus, lactose, maltodextrin, salt, blue cheese (milk, cheese tradition, salt, enzymes), sodium phosphate, lower than 2% of citric acid, lactic acid, yellow 5, yellow 6
- Cheddar Cheez Powder: Dehydrated mix of cheese (granula and blue (pasteurized milk, cheese tradition, salt, enzymes), whey, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, whey protein focus, lactose, maltodextrin, salt, sodium phosphate, citric acid, lactic acid, Yellow 5, Yellow 6
- White Cheddar: A dehydrated mix of Whey, Cheese (Granular & Cheddar {pasteurized milk, cheese tradition, salt, enzymes}), Buttermilk Solids, Whey Protein Focus, Salt, incorporates lower than 2% of Sodium Phosphate, Citric acid, Lactic Acid.
- White Cheddar, Pure: Cheddar cheese (milk, salt, cultures, enzymes), disodium phosphate, could comprise sodium silico aluminate at lower than 2%
- Massive Daddy Mac Combine, Unique: A dehydrated mix of Whey, Buttermilk Solids, Cheeses (Granular and Cheddar [pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes]), Whey Protein Focus, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Lactic Acid, Enzyme.
- Massive Daddy Mac Combine, No Shade: A dehydrated mix of Whey, Cheese (Granular & Cheddar {pasteurized milk, cheese tradition, salt, enzymes}), Buttermilk Solids, Whey Protein Focus, Salt, incorporates lower than 2% of Sodium Phosphate, Citric acid, Lactic Acid.
- Blue Cheese Powder: Blue cheese (milk, salt, cultures, and enzymes), disodium phosphate (<2%).
- Further Buttery Cheddar Cheese: Whey (from milk), Buttermilk Solids, Whey Protein Focus, Granular Cheese (Milk, Cheese Tradition, Salt, Enzymes), Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Tradition, Salt, Enzymes), Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Butter ((Candy Cream, Salt, Annatto coloration), and Nonfat Milk Solids), Accommodates lower than 2% of Citric Acid, Paprika Oleoresin (coloration), Lactic Acid, Annatto (coloration)
5. Judee’s Cheese Powder
Verdict: Greatest powdered cheese if you care extra about diet than shelf life. It’s hormone-free, excessive in calcium, and has no bizarre substances.
Assessment:
Judee’s makes a number of kinds of cheese powder. All of them are nice in the event you care about diet. They’re created from hormone-free milk and don’t have any bizarre components. The diet is fairly good as a result of they’re largely actual cheese (there’s some whey and buttermilk). The Gouda has much more calcium and protein than the cheddar.
The resealable packaging is good. I additionally like that these are available a number of sizes, so that you don’t must decide to a 3lb bag instantly. Judee’s says the cheese powder shelf life is round 1-2 years. If stored unopened and funky, it might final for much longer.
- Varieties: Yellow cheddar, white cheddar, Gouda, cream cheese, parmesan
- Substances (Yellow cheddar): Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Enzymes), Whey, Buttermilk, Salt, Disodium Phosphate and Annatto Extract
- Packaging: Resealable baggage
- Sizes: 25oz, 1.5lb, 3lb
- Shelf life: 1-2 years
- Diet (per 14g)
- Energy: 60
- Calcium: 120mg/10% RDA
- Protein: 3g
6. Anthony’s Cheddar Cheese Powder
Verdict: Good for on a regular basis use if you desire creamier cheese powder
Assessment:
I wouldn’t have included Anthony’s cheese powder on this listing. However as a result of it’s so standard, I wanted to incorporate it. Some individuals merely love these things.
In comparison with Judee’s cheese powder, Anthony’s doesn’t stack up. It isn’t created from hormone-free milk and incorporates “pure taste” – that might be something! Additionally word that Anthony’s incorporates butter, so it’s a bit creamier and extra liquid.
Lots of people complained that the “greatest by” date on the cheese powder was solely 3 months away after they obtained it. Whereas the cheese powder in all probability will last more than this, it merely isn’t a great choice for long-term storage. I’d fairly get cheese powder which is shipped contemporary.
- Varieties: Cheddar
- Substances: Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Whey, Butter (Cream, Salt, Buttermilk, Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Annatto Extract (coloration), Pure Taste
- Packaging: Resealable baggage
- Sizes: 1lb
- Shelf life: 1 yr
- Diet (per 14g)
- Energy: 70
- Calcium: 97mg/8% RDA
- Protein: 3g
7. Wincrest Cheddar Cheese Powder
Verdict: A price range cheese powder for if you don’t care a lot about diet
Assessment:
Need absolutely the least expensive cheese powder you will discover? You in all probability can’t get cheaper than this. They’re so inexpensive as a result of their principal ingredient is maltodextrin, a starch. In addition they added oil to the combination, presumably to make it creamier.
It isn’t as nutritious as a result of there isn’t a lot actual cheese on this powder (a minimum of in comparison with the opposite manufacturers listed). They don’t even listing the calcium quantities, and protein is sort of low.
The clear container is horrible for long-term storage. So, I solely suggest this for long-term storage in case you are on a price range and can repackage the cheese powder and rotate via it inside a yr or so.
- Kind: Cheddar
- Substances: Cheddar and Blue Cheese Seasoning (cheddar cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes), whey, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, corn syrup, salt, blue cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes), disodium phosphate, nonfat milk, citric acid), Creamer (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, corn syrup solids, sodium caseinate (a milk spinoff), mono & diglycerides, dipotassium phosphate, and sodium silico aluminate), Candy Whey Powder, Pure Butter Taste (butter powder (butter (cream, salt), dry buttermilk), buttermilk, pure butter taste, Non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil, pure beta carotene coloring), Salt, Dextrose, Lactic Acid, Pure Blue Cheese Taste (with canola oil), Pure Swiss Cheese Taste (with yeast extract), Citric Acid.
- Packaging: Resealable plastic container
- Shelf life: N/G
- Diet (per 20g)
- Energy: 90
- Calcium: N/G
- Protein: 3g
What Is Powdered Cheese?
Powdered cheese has been a part of our lives for a very long time. The Military used it in WWII meals rations. Kraft mac n’ cheese has been wildly standard because the Nineteen Fifties. And you will discover powdered cheese on a whole bunch of snack meals reminiscent of Fritos and Doritos.
Most powdered cheese is made with spray drying. It’s a course of the place the cheese is melted down right into a liquid and sprayed right into a chamber the place it’s blasted with sizzling air. The recent air evaporates the liquid, abandoning simply solids.
Some powdered cheese is made with freeze-drying. This entails freezing meals in a chamber after which making a vacuum.
In these circumstances, the liquids dry out from the meals in what’s referred to as sublimation. Freeze-dried cheese powder normally lasts longer than spray-dried cheese powder. You possibly can read more about freeze-drying here.
What Is Powdered Cheese Made From?
Most powdered cheese does comprise actual cheese. Nevertheless, the quantity of cheese can differ drastically.
Spray-dried cheese normally incorporates roughly 15% actual cheese, and the remainder is whey, oil, and starches. You’ll additionally discover lots of substances like anti-caking brokers, taste enhancers, and synthetic coloring.
Freeze-dried cheese tends to be extra “pure.” Nevertheless, even freeze-dried cheese powders typically are loaded with components. (1, 2)
Additionally see our information to the best powdered butter.
Can I make my very own powdered cheese?
Except you get a freeze-drying machine (they’re expensive), making your personal powdered cheese at residence isn’t potential. It is likely one of the foods you cannot dehydrate.
I’ve seen some recipes which contain microwaving skinny layers of cheese till it will get laborious after which mixing it with starch, however this type of cheese powder gained’t final various weeks. (4)
Shelf Lifetime of Powdered Cheese
The shelf lifetime of powdered cheese largely is dependent upon the packaging technique. In plastic containers or baggage, Cheese powder will normally solely final 1-2 years unopened. If saved in a #10 can or Mylar bag with oxygen absorbers, powdered cheese can final 15+ years.
Whatever the packaging technique, you should hold cheese powder cool. Excessive temperatures will make the fat go rancid. Whereas rancid cheese should be suitable for eating, it will get a gross style.
Repackaging Powdered Cheese
You possibly can repackage powdered cheese in hermetic containers with oxygen absorbers to make it last more.
Repacked like this, the powdered cheese in all probability would final a minimum of 5 years – however there are such a lot of variables like substances and temperature that it’s not possible to offer an actual shelf life.
Personally, I wouldn’t threat it. Sure, these emergency manufacturers could price extra, however it’s value it for peace of thoughts.
Additionally learn:
Options to Cheese Powder for Prepping
Even in the event you plan to stockpile powdered cheese, it’s nonetheless good to know some alternate options. Listed here are some choices:
- Dietary yeast: This unusual yeast powder has a tacky style. Many recipes contain mixing it with butter, starches, nuts, and even potatoes to make cheese.
- Cashew cheese: That is my favourite. You mix cashews with lemon or vinegar and spices to make a ricotta-like sauce.
- Corn cheese: I generally use this on pizza to make it more healthy. Mix the corn with olive oil and add garlic powder and onion powder seasonings. It tastes surprisingly good.
- Fermented cheese: Cultures in cheese are what impart its signature style. You may make fermented “cheese” from meals like millet. This is likely one of the greatest books I’ve learn on the subject however significantly a bit too hardcore for most individuals.
Do you might have powdered cheese as a part of your preps? Which manufacturers and the way is it saved? Tell us within the feedback part under.