Randy Chandler
Cougar Gold is a white, sharp American cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University's creamery in Pullman, Washington. It is a popular cheese, famous for being sold in exclusive 30-ounce cans and has a long shelf life. The cheese is aged for at least a year and has a nutty flavour, resembling Swiss or Gouda. Cougar Gold has a rich, smooth, and firm texture with a depth of flavour and intensity that has won it several awards. But the question is, does it melt?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting | Cougar Gold cheese melts |
| Type of Cheese | White, sharp American Cheddar |
| Producer | Washington State University Creamery |
| Location | Pullman, Washington |
| Storage | Sold exclusively in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans |
| Flavor | Nutty, resembling Swiss or Gouda |
| Texture | Smooth, creamy, rich, and firm |
| Aging | Aged for at least one year |
| Awards | Silver medal at the 2000 World Cheese Awards, Gold medal at the 2006 World Cheese Awards, Blue ribbon from the American Cheese Society in 1993 |
| Shelf Life | Lasts indefinitely if unopened and refrigerated |
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What You'll Learn
- Cougar Gold is a white, sharp American cheddar cheese
- It is aged for at least a year and has a nutty flavour
- Cougar Gold is sold exclusively in 30-ounce cans
- The cheese has a long shelf life and can last indefinitely if unopened and refrigerated
- Cougar Gold has a creamy, melt-in-the-mouth flavour and a smooth, firm texture
Cougar Gold is a white, sharp American cheddar cheese
Cougar Gold is crafted with care and aged to perfection, resulting in a rich, smooth, and firm texture with a depth of flavour and intensity that has won it several awards. It is one of the most popular cheeses, accounting for approximately 80% of the creamery's cheese sales. The cheese is produced at Ferdinand's Creamery on the Washington State University campus, and the university's students are employed in the production and sales of the cheese.
The distinct ageing process of Cougar Gold enhances its flavour and texture. Even when unopened and refrigerated, the cheese continues to mature, becoming more sharp, dry, and crumbly over time. This ageing process can last for decades, with some customers ageing their Cougar Gold for over 30 years. The more aged the cheese becomes, the more intense the desired aspects of well-aged cheese, such as its flavour, sharpness, dryness, and crumbly texture.
Cougar Gold's unique flavour and texture have gained it recognition and a cult following, winning several awards, including a blue ribbon from the American Cheese Society in 1993, a silver medal at the World Cheese Awards in 2000, and a gold medal at the same awards in 2006. The cheese's popularity is also attributed to its long shelf life and the fact that it is sold in cans, making it convenient and easy to store.
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It is aged for at least a year and has a nutty flavour
Cougar Gold is a white, sharp American cheddar cheese produced at Ferdinand's Creamery on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Washington. It is aged for at least a year and has a nutty flavour, somewhat resembling Swiss or Gouda. Cougar Gold is a semi-soft cheese with a creamy, melt-in-the-mouth flavour and a rich, smooth, and firm texture. It is unique in that it is sold exclusively in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans and has a long shelf life. In fact, when properly refrigerated, Cougar Gold is claimed to last indefinitely in the can.
The process of ageing Cougar Gold enhances its flavour and texture. Even when unopened and refrigerated, the cheese continues to mature, becoming more sharp, dry, and crumbly over time. This ageing process can last for decades, with some customers ageing their Cougar Gold for over 30 years. The tradition of selling Cougar Gold in cans at Washington State University dates back to the 1930s and 1940s when the university was researching ways to successfully store cheese, as plastic packaging did not yet exist, and wax packaging often cracked, leading to contamination.
Cougar Gold is one of the most popular cheeses produced by the Washington State University Creamery, accounting for approximately 80% of their cheese sales. It has gained recognition for its unique flavour and texture, winning several awards over the years, including a blue ribbon from the American Cheese Society in 1993, a silver medal at the World Cheese Awards in 2000, and a gold medal at the same awards in 2006.
The distinct ageing process and flavour of Cougar Gold have contributed to its popularity and cult following. Its nutty flavour and sharp, crumbly texture make it a favourite among cheese lovers, and its long shelf life and unique packaging make it a convenient and reliable choice. Whether enjoyed on its own or melted into dishes like macaroni and cheese, Cougar Gold is a delicious and versatile cheese that has stood the test of time.
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Cougar Gold is sold exclusively in 30-ounce cans
Cougar Gold is a unique, award-winning, white, sharp American cheddar cheese. It is produced and sold at Ferdinand's Creamery, located on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Washington. Cougar Gold is aged for at least a year and has a nutty flavour, resembling Swiss or Gouda. The cheese has a rich, smooth, and firm texture with a depth of flavour and intensity that has won it several awards, including a silver medal at the World Cheese Awards in 2006 and a blue ribbon from the American Cheese Society in 1993. Cougar Gold is one of the most popular cheeses and is famous for its exclusive packaging and selling format: it is sold only in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans.
The tradition of selling Cougar Gold in cans dates back to the 1930s and 1940s when the WSU Creamery explored alternative storage methods for cheese. Plastic packaging did not exist at the time, and wax packaging often cracked, leading to contamination. The university received funding from the US government and the American Can Company to research ways to successfully store cheese in tins. Cougar Gold was developed during this time and was named after Norman S. Golding, one of the men involved in its production.
The 30-ounce can is the baseline portion for Cougar Gold, and it is priced at $33.00 per can. The cheese is claimed to last indefinitely in the can if properly refrigerated. An unopened can become more flavorful, sharp, dry, and crumbly with age, and the ageing process can last for decades, with some customers ageing their Cougar Gold for over 30 years. The cheese starts to develop crystals with extended ageing, giving it a tantalizing crunch.
Cougar Gold is a popular choice for cheese lovers, and its unique packaging and long shelf life make it a convenient and delicious option for those seeking a high-quality, award-winning cheese. The 30-ounce can is a generous portion that can be enjoyed over time, with the cheese becoming more sharp and flavourful as it ages.
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The cheese has a long shelf life and can last indefinitely if unopened and refrigerated
Cougar Gold is a white, sharp American Cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University's creamery in Pullman, Washington. It is a popular cheese, famous for being sold in exclusive 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans. The cheese is aged for at least a year and has a nutty flavour, resembling Swiss or Gouda. The tradition of selling Cougar Gold in cans at Washington State University dates back to the 1930s and 1940s. At that time, the university was researching ways to successfully store cheese, as plastic packaging did not yet exist, and wax packaging often cracked, leading to contamination.
The WSU Creamery produces natural cheese and Cougar Gold is one of the eight different flavours of cheese produced there. The cheese is produced by students of Washington State University and is shipped nationwide. Cougar Gold is also unique in that it is one of the few cheeses that can be transported at room temperature for short periods and does not always need to be refrigerated during transport. However, it is recommended to refrigerate Cougar Gold upon arrival, as refrigeration helps the cheese maintain its shape and texture, while keeping the whey and curd from separating.
Refrigerator temperatures are generally between 37° to 40° F. It is important to note that Cougar Gold should not be stored in a wine cooler/cellar, garage, basement, pantry, freezer, or other locations with inconsistent or too warm/cold temperatures. High temperatures may cause the butterfat and whey to separate from the cheese, changing the texture and quality, but the cheese would still be edible.
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Cougar Gold has a creamy, melt-in-the-mouth flavour and a smooth, firm texture
Cougar Gold is a white, sharp American Cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University's creamery in Pullman, Washington. It is a semi-soft cheese with a creamy, melt-in-the-mouth flavour and a smooth, firm texture. The cheese is aged for at least a year, resulting in a sharp, nutty flavour and a dry, crumbly texture. The process of ageing Cougar Gold enhances its flavour and texture, and it can be aged for decades, with some customers ageing their Cougar Gold for over 30 years.
The unique flavour and texture of Cougar Gold have won it several awards, including a blue ribbon from the American Cheese Society in 1993, a silver medal at the World Cheese Awards in 2000, and a gold medal at the same awards in 2006. The cheese is sold exclusively in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans, with an indefinite shelf life when unopened and refrigerated.
The tradition of selling Cougar Gold in cans dates back to the 1930s and 1940s when the university was researching ways to store cheese successfully. Plastic packaging did not exist at the time, and wax packaging often cracked, leading to contamination. The canning process gives Cougar Gold its unique texture and flavour, and its long shelf life.
Cougar Gold's creamy, melt-in-the-mouth flavour and smooth, firm texture have contributed to its popularity and cult following. It is the most popular cheese produced by the Washington State University Creamery, accounting for approximately 80% of their cheese sales. Its rich, sharp flavour and unique texture have won over many loyal fans, who rave about its taste and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Cougar Gold cheese is a semi-soft cheese that melts in the mouth. It has a creamy, melt-in-the-mouth flavour and texture.
Cougar Gold cheese is stored in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans and should be refrigerated. The cheese will last indefinitely if kept unopened and refrigerated.
Cougar Gold is a white, sharp American Cheddar cheese with a nutty flavour resembling Swiss or Gouda. It is made from cow's milk and aged for at least one year.
