The Controversial Ingredient That Alton Brown Can't Live Without

We certainly look to Alton Brown, all-around food wizard and host of Good Eats, for food advice. Whether it's about must-have gadgets, proper cooking techniques, or superior ingredients, Brown's enthusiasm for food science has never led us astray. That's why when a recent post on Instagram revealed the celebrity chef is a big fan of a controversial ingredient, we were surprised to say the least.

Brown uploaded a photo of two packets of Kraft Grated Parmesan, captioning his post with, "Call me trash but I will snort this stuff like the cellulose powder stepped on cow candy that it is." Made from a blend of Parmesan cheese and cellulose (a filler created from wood pulp), Kraft Grated Parmesan may be a childhood favorite for many, but you won't often find a food professional exclaiming their love of this dairy-based product.

Fan reactions ranged from open admiration to disgust. One wrote, "I FEEL SEEN 🙌" while another said, "Sometimes in life trash is exactly what you need." Those less-than-thrilled with his choice of cheese gibed Brown by writing, "It's like I don't know you at all," and "You broke my heart."

In this turbulent year of 2020, we could all use a little indulging in our favorite guilty pleasure foods. So shake on that powdery Kraft Parmesan, Alton. You deserve it.

Related:

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• What Is the Difference Between Parmesan and Parmigiano Reggiano?
• How to Host an Epic Make-Your-Own Grilled Cheese Night in 6 Easy Steps