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 curd processing.
Cheese curds are moist pieces of curdled milk, eaten either alone as a snack, or used in prepared dishes. They are most often consumed throughout the northern United States and Canada.[1] Notably, cheese curds are popular in Quebec, as part of the dish poutine (made of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy), and in Wisconsin and Minnesota where they can be served breaded and deep fried. Curds are sometimes referred to as "squeaky cheese" or fromage en crottes (literally: "droppings of cheese").[2]
Cheese curds are made from fresh pasteurized milk to which cheese culture and rennet are added.[2] After the milk curdles it is then cut into cubes; the result is a mixture of whey and curd. This mixture is then cooked and pressed to release the whey from the curd, creating the final product.[2]
Characteristicsedit
Their flavour is mild, but the taste can differ depending on the process by which they were made. It has about the same firmness and density as cheese, but with a springy or rubbery texture.[2] Fresh curds squeak against the teeth when bitten into. This "squeak" has been described by The New York Times as sounding like "balloons trying to neck".[3] After 12 hours, even under refrigeration, cheese curds lose much of their "fresh" characteristic, particularly the "squeak", due to moisture entering the curd.[2] Keeping them at room temperature can preserve the squeakiness.[citation needed]
The curds have a mild flavour and are sometimes somewhat salty.[2] Most varieties, as in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Vermont, or New York State, are naturally uncoloured.
Usesedit
Freshedit
Fresh cheese curds are often eaten as a snack, finger food, or an appetizer. They may be served alone, dressed with an additional flavor, or with another food, such as a small smoked sausage or piece of cured pork, with the elements skewered together on a toothpick. Examples of flavorings applied to fresh curds include jalapeño chili peppers, garlic, various herbs, or spice blends such as Cajun seasoning, with garlic and dill on cheddar curds being a popular combination.[4] They are often served by Russian Mennonites as part of a traditional light lunch called faspa.[5]
Fried cheese curdsedit
Deep-fried cheese curds
Deep-fried cheese curds are often found at carnivals and fairs, and often local non-chain fast-food restaurants and at regular restaurants and bars, as well as a few chain restaurants of local origin, such as Culver's.
In many areas where fried cheese curds are common, the term "cheese curds" refers to the fried variety; non-fried curds are distinguished by calling them "raw" or "plain" cheese curds.
In some areas, deep-fried cheese curds are also known as cheeseballs.[8]
Cheese curds are a main ingredient in poutine, which originated in the 1950s in rural Quebec, Canada. It consists of french fries topped with fresh cheese curds, covered with brown gravy and sometimes additional ingredients.[2]
^"Where to Get the Squeakiest Cheese Curds in Ontario | Ontario Culinary". 20 May 2021.
^ abcdefgLaura Brehaut (25 October 2016). "'The taste is in the squeak': Why the key to the perfect poutine is the cheese curds — just don't refrigerate them". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
^Louisa Kamps, "Cheese Curds," NY Times, October 17, 2004
^. Archived from the original on 2011-10-26. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
^Nathan Orsi. "A Historic look at the Importance of Cheese in Mennonite Society".
^"Where to Go in Minneapolis-St. Paul For the Best Cheese Curds". The Cheese Professor. 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
^Lewis, Chelsey (April 21, 2016). "Are Fried Cheese Curds Wisconsin's Most Important Food Innovation?", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
^Belleville, Kansas Dairy Queen website April 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cheese curds.
January 01, 1970
cheese, curd, this, article, about, cheese, curds, regional, delicacy, general, information, about, dairy, product, curd, information, about, role, curds, cheese, processing, cheese, curd, processing, moist, pieces, curdled, milk, eaten, either, alone, snack, . 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 curd processing Cheese curds are moist pieces of curdled milk eaten either alone as a snack or used in prepared dishes They are most often consumed throughout the northern United States and Canada 1 Notably cheese curds are popular in Quebec as part of the dish poutine made of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy and in Wisconsin and Minnesota where they can be served breaded and deep fried Curds are sometimes referred to as squeaky cheese or fromage en crottes literally droppings of cheese 2 Cheese curds Contents 1 Production 2 Characteristics 3 Uses 3 1 Fresh 3 2 Fried cheese curds 3 3 Poutine 4 See also 5 ReferencesProduction editCheese curds are made from fresh pasteurized milk to which cheese culture and rennet are added 2 After the milk curdles it is then cut into cubes the result is a mixture of whey and curd This mixture is then cooked and pressed to release the whey from the curd creating the final product 2 Characteristics editTheir flavour is mild but the taste can differ depending on the process by which they were made It has about the same firmness and density as cheese but with a springy or rubbery texture 2 Fresh curds squeak against the teeth when bitten into This squeak has been described by The New York Times as sounding like balloons trying to neck 3 After 12 hours even under refrigeration cheese curds lose much of their fresh characteristic particularly the squeak due to moisture entering the curd 2 Keeping them at room temperature can preserve the squeakiness citation needed The curds have a mild flavour and are sometimes somewhat salty 2 Most varieties as in Ontario Quebec Nova Scotia Vermont or New York State are naturally uncoloured Uses editFresh edit Fresh cheese curds are often eaten as a snack finger food or an appetizer They may be served alone dressed with an additional flavor or with another food such as a small smoked sausage or piece of cured pork with the elements skewered together on a toothpick Examples of flavorings applied to fresh curds include jalapeno chili peppers garlic various herbs or spice blends such as Cajun seasoning with garlic and dill on cheddar curds being a popular combination 4 They are often served by Russian Mennonites as part of a traditional light lunch called faspa 5 Fried cheese curds edit nbsp Deep fried cheese curds Deep fried cheese curds are often found at carnivals and fairs and often local non chain fast food restaurants and at regular restaurants and bars as well as a few chain restaurants of local origin such as Culver s Wisconsin style deep fried cheese curds are covered with a batter similar to one used for onion rings and placed in a deep fryer Wisconsin style uses breading instead of batter 6 They are sometimes served with a side of ketchup marinara sauce or ranch dressing 7 In many areas where fried cheese curds are common the term cheese curds refers to the fried variety non fried curds are distinguished by calling them raw or plain cheese curds In some areas deep fried cheese curds are also known as cheeseballs 8 Poutine edit Main article Poutine nbsp Poutine with squeaky cheese Cheese curds are a main ingredient in poutine which originated in the 1950s in rural Quebec Canada It consists of french fries topped with fresh cheese curds covered with brown gravy and sometimes additional ingredients 2 See also editFried cheese Halloumi Leipajuusto Finnish squeaky cheese List of cheeses nbsp Food portalReferences edit Where to Get the Squeakiest Cheese Curds in Ontario Ontario Culinary 20 May 2021 a b c d e f g Laura Brehaut 25 October 2016 The taste is in the squeak Why the key to the perfect poutine is the cheese curds just don t refrigerate them Vancouver Sun Retrieved 25 June 2017 Louisa Kamps Cheese Curds NY Times October 17 2004 Wisconsin Cheese Curd Dictionary Archived from the original on 2011 10 26 Retrieved 2011 09 12 Nathan Orsi A Historic look at the Importance of Cheese in Mennonite Society Where to Go in Minneapolis St Paul For the Best Cheese Curds The Cheese Professor 2022 05 23 Retrieved 2023 08 04 Lewis Chelsey April 21 2016 Are Fried Cheese Curds Wisconsin s Most Important Food Innovation Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved May 21 2016 Belleville Kansas Dairy Queen website Archived April 25 2010 at the Wayback Machine nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cheese curds Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cheese curd amp oldid 1216175924, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
