| y"> | | | | certain they really are fresh). Instead order |
| If you have never seen or tasted a cheese curd | | | | directly from a cheese factory via the Internet or |
| you might not be anxious to put one in your | | | | phone. Look for a place that ships the cheese |
| mouth because "cheese curd" is kind of a strange | | | | curds the same day they are made (do an |
| name and doesn't necessarily conjure up images | | | | Internet search for "cheese curds" - there will be |
| of something tasty. But a cheese curd is very | | | | lots of choices of businesses that send cheese |
| tasty. I think once you try one you'll be eating a | | | | curds out the same day they make them). You'll |
| lot more of them! | | | | be glad you went to the trouble of ordering the |
| I'm from Wisconsin and grew up eating cheese | | | | freshest cheese curds possible. |
| curds (and yes, lots of other cheese too). I | | | | Cheese curds are available in several flavors. |
| thought everyone ate cheese curds and that you | | | | Although the traditional yellow cheese curds are |
| could buy them anywhere. When I grew up and | | | | the most popular and most widely available, I've |
| started to travel outside of the state I learned in | | | | also seen and tried white cheddar cheese curds in |
| a hurry that a lot of things were different and | | | | addition to the following flavors: garlic, dill, jalapeno |
| that cheese curds were a specialty item only | | | | (they have a "kick" to them), Cajun (also have a |
| available in areas that produced cheese. That's | | | | "kick" to them), pesto, chipotle (these are spicy |
| changed a little bit now. Cheese curds, along with | | | | too), and paprika. Cheese curds have a smooth |
| a wide variety of other types of cheeses, are | | | | texture. Plain cheese curds have a mild salty |
| more readily available in all areas of the United | | | | flavor. They come in their natural shape and form |
| States. | | | | which is small random chunks. |
| What are cheese curds? Most cheese curds (at | | | | Although most cheese curds are made from |
| least most of the ones made in Wisconsin) are a | | | | cheddar cheese; colby, mozzarella, and monterey |
| cheddar cheese product, but think baby cheddar | | | | jack cheese curds are also available. |
| cheese or newborn cheddar cheese. Cheddar | | | | One fun thing about cheese curds is that they |
| cheese curds are what cheddar cheese is before | | | | "squeak." A fresh cheese curd will make a |
| it is pressed into a block and aged (cheddar | | | | squeaky noise while you're eating it. That's one of |
| cheese you see in your grocery store is aged at | | | | the reasons why kids love to eat cheese curds |
| least 60 days and up to 10 years for the really | | | | (and many adults too). |
| sharp cheddar cheeses). | | | | Besides eating them fresh, another yummy way |
| Cheese curds are a very fresh product and have | | | | to eat a cheese curd is to deep-fry it (which, like |
| the best flavor if they are eaten the same day | | | | deep frying a mushroom, turns a cheese curd into |
| they are made. But going to a cheese factory | | | | a not so healthy but really great tasting food). |
| and purchasing cheese curds the same day they | | | | You can purchase special batter mixes made |
| are made is not an option for many people. | | | | especially for cheese curds, but general purpose |
| Cheese curds are still very tasty a few days | | | | batter mixes like Golden Dipt All Purpose Batter |
| after they're made, but after a week or so they | | | | Mix (made by McCormick) works fine. But my |
| start to lose their flavor very quickly. Although | | | | personal favorite type of batter for deep fried |
| "fresh" cheese curds may be available at your | | | | cheese curds is beer batter (have I mentioned |
| local supermarket, it's likely they are at least one | | | | I'm from Wisconsin?). |
| to two weeks old by the time they reach the | | | | If you haven't yet had the opportunity to try |
| store's dairy case. Don't buy them from your | | | | cheese curds, I hope you try them soon. I think |
| supermarket or grocery store (unless you're | | | | you'll be glad you did. Happy eating! |