Cheese curd
- This article is about cheese curds as a regional delicacy. For general information about the dairy product, see curd. For information about the role of curds in cheese processing, see cheese.
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Cheese curds are the fresh curds of cheese, often cheddar. They are generally available in retail stores operated at cheese factories throughout the countries of Canada and the United States (especially in USA's Wisconsin, Michigan, and Canada's provinces of Ontario, and Quebec, where they can be found in many grocery stores.) Cheese curds are little-known in locations without cheese factories, because they should ideally be eaten within hours of manufacture.
Their flavor is mild with about the same firmness as cheese, but has a springy or rubbery texture. Fresh curds squeak against the teeth when bitten into, which some would say is their defining characteristic. Cheese curds are sometimes referred to as "Squeaky cheese." They are sometimes somewhat salty. The American variety are usually yellow or orange in color, like most American cheddar cheese. Other varieties, such as the Québécois variety, can be roughly the same color as white cheddar cheese.
Preserving freshness
After twelve hours, even under refrigeration, they have lost much of their "fresh" characteristics, particularly the "squeak". This "squeak" has been described by the New York Times as sounding like "balloons trying to neck".[1] After twenty-four hours, they will lose their freshness entirely. If they are purchased locally and need to be kept for a couple of days, room temperature, rather than refrigeration, may preserve the flavor and "squeak".
Fried cheese curds
In Wisconsin, Minnesota, Upper Michigan, South Dakota, and Iowa, deep-fried cheese curds are often found at carnivals and fairs, and often local non-chain fast food restaurants and bars. Deep-fried cheese curds are covered with a batter, like that used for onion rings, or are breaded and placed in a deep fryer. In the United States, A&W Restaurants and Culver's have added fried cheese curds to their menus and they are available nationwide.[2]
Poutine
Cheese curds are a main ingredient in poutine, a Quebec dish in which cheese curds are served layered on top of french fries, and melting under steaming hot gravy.
Cheese curds in song and poetry
The New York times in 1911 reported on an ancient Celtic song, dating from the 12th century, that mentioned cheese curd, perhaps the first musical reference to the most musical of cheeses: [3]
"Visions of MacGonlannee"
- Stately and pleasantly it sat,
- A compact house and strong.
- Then I went in:
- The door of it was hung beef,
- The threshold was dry bread,
- Cheese-curds the walls. [...]