The cheeseburger is one of America's greatest gastronomic achievements. It has a relatively simple filling: A patty made from minced beef and a slice of processed cheese. It has been taken around the world by such chains as McDonald's.
It is impossible to make an American-style cheeseburger in India. Even before the campaign against beef, McDonald's had decided not to use beef in India out of respect for Hindu sentiments.
But is it also impossible to get a non-beef cheeseburger made with real cheese in India? Over the last week, as the Maharashtra government's regulators have acted against McDonald's for allegedly passing off cheese-less substitutes as the real thing, the suspicion has grown that the cheese in the Indian cheeseburger is not real.
As the news hit the media, McDonald's moved to assert its cheesy credentials. "Myth Busted" it declared on Instagram. "The cheese slice in your favourite burger is milk-based real cheese." And: "We use only real, quality cheese in all our products containing cheese."
Some people worried about the curious construction: "in all our products containing cheese". What about McDonald's Cheese Fries?
According to industry gossip, in common with other fast-food chains, the cheese flavour in those fries came from cheese that was not 100 per cent dairy. McDonald's made no mention of this dish in its myth-busting post, so it is hard to be sure.
This story is from the March 02, 2024 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 02, 2024 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Sunny Leone
Entrepreneur, actor. @SunnyLeone
Going above and beyond
Marom specialises in nature photography. He started with macro photography, or capturing tiny subjects in extreme close-up, to make them look bigger.
Get cot in the act
Vivan Sundaram's 12 Bed Ward is sparse, simple, but haunting. Is this an abandoned hospital, a forgotten dorm, a bombed-out base or something more familiar?
In it for the long haul
Travelling gets better as you grow older. But less pressure and more funds bring with them aching bones and low energy. Here's how to cope
A whole different ball game
The kofta varies in name, taste and texture across continents. It's time India acknowledged its own contribution to the multiverse of meatballs
Opening acts
These young, new musicians are facing family pressure, juggling full-time jobs, and battling the rise of AI. They tell us what it's like to debut in 2024
Bring me the manager
Money won't conjure up a handbag that's out of stock. Angry calls will not get you off a waitlist. Don't be an entitled customer
How to pin down a scam
They pose as cops. They ask for OTPs. They lure you with bonuses. They're so smooth. Here's a cheat sheet to suss out a scam caller before it's too late
Is there truth to this tale?
It's biopic season. It's also a good time to test what movies have learnt from true-life stories and from life itself
Mercury in the microwave
Heat wave? Wave back. On screen, summer looks gorgeous. These 10 films showcase the bright side of the season