What is the difference between a hamburger and a cheeseburger and which is better to choose?

We all enjoy eating burgers, but not everyone knows the difference between a hamburger and a cheeseburger. When looking at classic fast food recipes, the difference between them is the presence of melted cheese on top of the cheeseburger patty. Due to differences in composition, dishes have different calorie content, cost, and ratio of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. A cheeseburger is about 15% more expensive and 7% higher in calories. The hamburger came first. Mentions of him date back to 1884-1909.

How to distinguish a hamburger from a cheeseburger?

The hamburger and cheeseburger are the simplest and most recognizable burgers in the fast food kingdom. Even an inexperienced person can distinguish one from the other:

By appearance (photo) - the hamburger does not have cheese, but the cheeseburger does.

It is worth noting here that burgers have changed, developed and improved since their inception. Recipes may vary between fast food restaurants. The difference between them is clearly visible only in the classic versions.

What is a hamburger - differences, pros and cons

For many, the words “hamburger”, “burger”, “sandwich” mean the same thing. This is the name of all dishes that consist of a bun cut in half with a cutlet inside.

At the end of the 19th century, Americans began to actively settle the Great Plains and raise cattle. Beef became available, and the cheapest source was hamburger. The oldest burger chain in America is owned by White Castle. The first establishment opened in 1921. Back then, hamburgers sold for 5 cents.

The word hamburger is borrowed from American English. Initially, it was used to refer to varieties of German sausage and Hamburg meat.

• Hamburger steak was mentioned back in 1884 in the Boston Evening Journal.
• A year later, a state fair is held in Seymour, Wisconsin, where Charlie Nagreen sells American Hamburger.
• In 1902, the hamburger sandwich was abbreviated as hamburger.
• In 1904, the World's Fair takes place in St. Louis, where this dish becomes even more popular.
• 1909 also describes a “Hamburg-style meat sandwich.”
• Since 1921, hamburgers have been officially sold in the White Castle restaurant chain, and in 1939 the abbreviation “burger” appeared.

In Russia, all variants of the word began to be used after the opening of the McDonald's restaurant chain in the 90s.

Interesting fact.To burn calories from one hamburger, you need to run for about 20 minutes at a speed of 10 km per hour or walk leisurely for an hour and a half.

What is a cheeseburger?

A cheeseburger is a hamburger with the addition of cheese, usually Cheddar - aromatic, easily melting, stretchy.

The definition of a dish lies in the name, where:

• “Cheese” (English “cheese”) means “cheese”.
• Burger is a shortened name for hamburger.

Traditionally, a slice of cheese is placed on top of the meat before grilling to help it melt. As an alternative to Cheddar, fast food restaurants sometimes use other meltable cheeses - Swiss, blue, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack. Adding cheese to hamburgers began around 1920-1930. It is impossible to say for sure who first created the cheese version.

There are several applications, and they compete with each other:

• The cheeseburger was invented at The Rite Spot sandwich shop in California. In 1926, 16-year-old Lionel Sternberger worked in his father's restaurant. He overcooked the beefsteak, and to cover it up, he put a slice of cheese on top and melted it. The visitor really liked the dish.
• The cheese burger first appeared on the menu at O'Dell's restaurant in Los Angeles. At that time it cost 25 cents and contained chili sauce.
• Kentucky restaurant Kaelin's claims to have invented the dish in 1934.
• In Middletown in the 1930s, Jack's Lunch, which was no different in composition from a cheeseburger, was popular.
• The first trademark for "cheeseburger" was registered by Louis Ballast in 1935. The Humpty Dumpty Barrel (Colorado) restaurant where he worked no longer exists. But in its place there is a stone with carvings.
• Archives have confirmed that Gus Belt, founder of Steak ‘n Shake, also applied to trademark the word in the 1930s.

Question answer

What is added to the filling of hamburgers and cheeseburgers?

In addition to the traditional beef steak (and cheese), both types of burgers can contain tomato, lettuce, guacamole, bacon, pickles, avocado, sauteed mushrooms, chili sauce and cheese. The choice of possible fillings is large and depends on regional preferences.

Are Big Macs, Big Tasties and Whoppers hamburgers or cheeseburgers?

Big Mac and Big Tasty are popular burgers from McDonald's. Despite the presence of cheese, they are also called hamburgers, using the word as a generic name. Their main differences are the layering and the content of special sauces. The Whopper from Burger King does not contain cheese in the classic version and is a hamburger.

When is National Cheeseburger Day?

In America, National Cheeseburger Day is celebrated annually on September 18th. On this day, restaurants lure visitors with free burgers with cheese, all kinds of promotions and discounts.

In terms of popularity all over the world, the cheeseburger ranks first. This is followed by hamburger, chicken burger, double burgers, black version, etc. The variety of burgers allows you to choose your ideal option. You can include and exclude different sauces, ask to add your favorite ingredients in double doses. What the dish will be called after this, a hamburger or a cheeseburger, is not so important. The main thing is that burgers are filling and tasty.