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American cheese's ability to hold ingredients together extends to make-ahead breakfast sandwiches. It acts like a sticky binder, securing bacon, eggs, and bread, so that these items stay intact during storage or reheating. Once heated, the cheese melts easily, creating a cohesive, satisfying meal.
The Science Behind American Cheese's Unique Behavior
The secret lies in sodium citrate, which denatures proteins in the cheese, preventing them from bonding in a way that causes separation or hardening upon cooling. This property allows American cheese to:
Stay fluid long after melting
Remain creamy instead of grainy or greasy
Bind ingredients together, enhancing structure and texture