are we born with a need for white cheddar

No, humans are not literally born with a specific need for white cheddar cheese. The idea that "we are all born with a deep primal need for savory white cheddar" is mainly a marketing slogan used by brands like Smartfood popcorn. However, there is some truth in that humans have innate preferences for savory, umami-rich foods, which cheese, including white cheddar, provides. From an evolutionary perspective, our ancestors sought high-energy, fatty foods like cheese because they were vital for survival, and the brain rewarded consumption of such foods with pleasure chemicals. Cheese contains umami compounds and casein-derived casomorphins that stimulate dopamine release, which can make cheese seem addictive or highly appealing. This general preference for savory, fatty foods is rooted in biology but does not equate to a built-in need for the specific taste of white cheddar cheese itself. In summary, while humans have a natural inclination to like savory and fatty flavors and cheese can trigger rewarding brain responses, the specific craving for white cheddar is not innate from birth but influenced by biology, culture, and exposure.