If you’ve got questions about cheese curds, you’ve come to the right place.
Maybe you’ve sampled this delectable treat before. But you’re wondering, “How are they different from other types of cheese? And why do they taste so good?”
From understanding what cheese curds are to where you can buy them, there’s a lot you can learn.
Here are 4 things you should know about them.
Table of Contents
1. What are Cheese Curds?
Cheese curds are simply young cheddar cheese. They are often served breaded and deep-fried or melted over french fries in the classic Canadian dish poutine. Residents of Wisconsin, which is home to more than a thousand cheesemakers, in particular, are quite fond of the curds.
Before the aging process renders cheddar cheese into that melty, slightly salty final product, they are, in effect, soft and more mild-flavored.
Instead of waiting between a week and two months to sell cheddar—and preparing them in blocks—cheese curds are available right away.
2. Where Can You Buy Cheese Curds?
Many grocery stores in the U.S. sell cheese curds. The problem is, they aren’t usually that fresh—which kind of defeats the point.
To see if your curds are fresh, check if they squeak when you eat them. If not, they are past their prime.
Look in your local store for curds. They’re usually in the fresh food or dairy section.
More and more, companies like Dimock Dairy (https://www.dimockdairy.com/) are making it easy to order cheese curds online and have them shipped to your door. The product is of higher quality than what you’ll find at the store.
3. Making Homemade Cheese Curds
Some people make their own cheese curds at home.
The process requires full-fat milk, along with calcium chloride and a packet of cultures to help break down the dairy. You’ll also need a ladle, cheesecloth, and a thermometer.
The whole process takes a little over an hour, including time to drain and cool.
Today, it’s becoming common to season cooked cheese curds with flavors that give them a little “pop,” like garlic, sea salt and pepper, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing.
4. Curds Become…Cheese?
Yup, that’s right!
Cheddar cheese is actually not “fresh.” That’s sort of the point, in a way. The delicious flavors of good cheddar cheese take some time to come out, which means
That’s why cheese curds have a more mild flavor and a more rubbery texture.
The good news, though, is that “old” cheese curds aren’t old in the same way other foods are. In fact, they are just on their way to becoming cheese. You can still totally eat them—they just may not make the classic curd dishes you know and love.
Yum, Cheese Curds
So there’s your little briefer on cheese curds. They are, for our intents and purposes, baby cheddar. They’re delicious as a deep-fried appetizer or served over fries when you’re north of the border.
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