Cheeseburgers

Cheeseburger is a type of hamburger that includes cheese as a primary ingredient. The cheese is usually added to the cooking hamburger patty shortly before the patty is completely cooked, which allows the cheese to melt. Cheeseburgers can include variations in structure, ingredients, and composition.

History

The cheeseburger became popular in the United States during the 1920s. Several competing claims exist as to who created the first cheeseburger. Lionel Sternberger is reputed to have introduced the cheeseburger in 1926 at the age of 16 when he was working as a fry cook at his father's Pasadena, California sandwich shop, "The Rite Spot," and "experimentally dropped a slab of American cheese on a sizzling hamburger."

Preparation

The term itself is a portmanteau of the words "cheese" and "hamburger." The cheese is usually sliced, then added a short time before the hamburger finishes cooking to allow it to melt. In fast food restaurants, the cheese that is added to a cheeseburger is typically American cheese, but there are many other variations. Mozzarella, blue cheese, Swiss cheese, pepper jack, and especially cheddar are popular choices.

Variations

A cheeseburger may have more than one hamburger patty and more than one slice of cheese. A stack of two is a double cheeseburger; a triple has three. A cheeseburger may also include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, or bacon.

Health concerns

While cheeseburgers are a popular fast food item and are often eaten for their taste, they have been criticized for their high fat and calorie content, and their contribution to obesity and other health problems.

See also

• List of hamburgers
• List of cheese dishes