22 view

Is Philadelphia cheese the same as cream cheese?

As far as brand names go, Philadelphia Cream Cheese is the most deceptive: it has never been a local product.

But the name has certainly given that impression over the years. A reader recently wrote to Curious Philly , the Inquirer’s site where users can ask our writers questions about whether something is genuinely manufactured in the Philippines.

According to the Kraft Heinz Co., Philadelphia Cream Cheese was created in New York in 1872 and received its name in 1880 as part of a marketing plan to tie the product with the high-quality cuisine and dairy farming for which the Philadelphia region was recognized at the time.

More than a century later, Philadelphia is still regarded as a cuisine destination, and the renowned brand has survived. Philadelphia continues to dominate the United States cream cheese industry with a market share of more than 60 percent in recent years, according to reports by market data firms. Four of the top five best-selling cream cheeses on Amazon are different versions of Philadelphia. When you look for cream cheese on Wikipedia, you’ll see a picture of a container of Philadelphia.

According to Jeff Jubelirer, a public relations expert who has worked in Philadelphia for two decades, the company’s longevity is especially surprising, given that most grocery shops now carry their own generic brands of cream cheese.

“Is Philly really superior than the Wegmans store brand or others?” Jubelirer inquired. “But, people will continue to pay more for it, and there’s a rationale for that.”

Jubelirer said that it is a better moment than ever for any company to be associated with the city, citing the growing food scene and high-profile events such as the Pope’s 2015 visit, the 2016 Democratic National Convention, and, of course, the Eagles’ 2018 Super Bowl victory.

“To be aligned with the city now is seen as better than 20 years ago, I believe,” Jubelirer said. “And I believe there is a strong sense of pride in being from here.”

“Philadelphia is on a bit of a roll,” he added. “There was no pun intended.”

Related Questions

  • Is Philadelphia cream cheese the same as regular cream cheese?

    Cream cheese and cream cheese spread are interchangeable. It is hard to make a distinction between the two as these are of the same genre and used almost in the same manner. Cream cheese is a kind of fresh cheese that has not been matured. Developed in the United States of America, Cream cheese is also called as soft cheese.

  • Is Philadelphia cheese considered cream cheese?

    Because of its great quality, Philadelphia cream cheese is widely used in domestic baking and cuisine. Cream cheese is a soft creamy spreadable cheese that is white in colour and has a mild yet subtly tangy taste to it.

  • Why is cream cheese called Philadelphia cream cheese?

    According to the Kraft Heinz Co., Philadelphia Cream Cheese was created in New York in 1872 and received its name in 1880 as part of a marketing plan to tie the product with the high-quality cuisine and dairy farming for which the Philadelphia region was recognized at the time.

  • What makes Philadelphia cream cheese different?

    The taste is zesty and well-balanced.” Scaff-Mariani emphasizes Philadelphia’s high silkiness and low moisture content in comparison to other brands. “In many respects, it has the consistency of butter,” she explains. In addition to using it for cheesecakes, she has also tried it in macaron fillings and in cookies.