>>77593172first of all, what you think of as "american cheese" is only one specific type of processed cheese, which is a mixture of two other cheeses and an emulsifier and stabilizing agent. you can go to delis and get good quality "american cheese" if you dont like the idea of the much softer slices wrapped up individually that people think of as plastic despite just being cheese.
that aside, there are tons of american varieties of cheese and american cheesemakers do win global awards, and outside of very rural places, it is easy to find variety in domestic and imported cheeses, like real DOP Parmigiano Reggiano and not the parmesan that comes pre-shredded in a can and mixed with cellulose as an anti-caking agent. its not some crazy exotic thing, picrel
american cheesemakers also make their own "Parmigiano-style cheese" and other european style cheeses that win awards but because of the european consortium, cannot call the cheese "Parmigiano Reggiano"
