What ingredient makes cheddar cheese yellow?

The yellow color in cheddar cheese comes from annatto, a natural dye derived from the seeds of the achiote tree.

While some people may think it's due to the cow's diet, that's not entirely accurate. While the color of the cheese can be slightly influenced by the cow's feed, the primary source of the yellow color is annatto.

Here's a breakdown:

* Annatto: This natural dye is added to the cheese during production for both color and flavor.

* Cow's diet: A cow's diet can influence the color of the milk, which in turn affects the color of the cheese. Cows that eat a diet high in green grass or alfalfa produce milk with a higher level of beta-carotene, a pigment that can give the cheese a slightly yellower hue.

* Other factors: The age of the cheese, the type of milk used, and the cheesemaking process all play a role in determining the final color.

So, while the cow's diet plays a small part, it's annatto that primarily gives cheddar cheese its distinct yellow color.