Randy Chandler
Tillamook is an American dairy co-op based in Tillamook County, Oregon, that produces cheese, ice cream, butter, cream cheese spreads, yogurt, sour cream, and frozen meals. Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds are made from cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, and annatto (a natural colouring extracted from the seeds of annatto trees grown in the tropics). Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds are exclusively sold at the Tillamook Creamery, Tillamook Market (at the PDX Airport), and their Online Shop. Tillamook Cheese Curds are not available in grocery stores because they lose their freshness quickly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto (color) |
| Texture | Crispy and crumbly on the outside, bold and melty on the inside |
| Flavor | Bold |
| Preparation | Fried |
| Availability | Tillamook Creamery, Tillamook Market (PDX Airport), Online Shop, Select Regal theatres |
| Exclusivity | Not available in grocery stores |
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What You'll Learn
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds ingredients
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds are made with the highest-quality ingredients. The ingredients used in Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds are:
- Cultured pasteurized milk: This milk is rBST-free and sourced from local farms in Tillamook County, Oregon. The milk is cultured and pasteurized to ensure food safety and the right flavour profile.
- Salt: Salt is added to enhance the flavour of the cheese and to act as a preservative.
- Enzymes: Enzymes, specifically rennet, are added to help coagulate the milk and turn it into curds.
- Annatto: Annatto is a natural colouring extracted from the seeds of annatto trees grown in tropical regions. It gives Tillamook Cheddar its distinctive yellow colour without affecting the flavour.
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds are crafted with care and the company's over 100 years of cheese-making experience. The cheese curds are currently exclusively sold at the Tillamook Creamery in Tillamook, Oregon, the Tillamook Market at the PDX Airport, and seasonally in their online shop.
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Where to buy Tillamook Cheese Curds
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds are exclusively sold at the Tillamook Creamery in the charming coastal town of Tillamook, Oregon, the Tillamook Market at the PDX Airport, and seasonally in their online shop. Tillamook Cheese Curds are not available in grocery stores because they lose their freshness very quickly.
The Tillamook Creamery is open seven days a week from 10 am to 6 pm. You can visit the flagship facility to learn about its rich history, take guided tours, and enjoy cheese and ice cream tastings. The Tillamook Creamery also has a restaurant with a cheesy twist, where you can enjoy a meal inside or on their covered patio. If you're looking for a sweet treat, they also have an ice cream counter. The Tillamook Market at the PDX Airport offers a similar experience to the Tillamook Creamery, allowing you to sample their products.
If you can't make it to the Tillamook Creamery or the Tillamook Market, you can purchase Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds from their online shop. The online store is always open, and they ship their products directly from their factory to your home. Their fresh curds batch tends to go fast, and your order may include either Yellow Cheddar or White Cheddar curds. These cheese curds are creamy, salty, and bite-sized snacks with a shorter shelf life than their aged cheddars.
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Tillamook Creamery
The Tillamook Creamery offers guided tours, cheese and ice cream tastings, and fun activities for all. The Creamery has an American Classic-inspired menu with a cheesy twist, created by Tillamook's Executive Chef, Josh Archibald. The menu includes fried cheese curds, a fan-favourite, and other dishes with a cheesy twist. The Creamery also has an ice cream counter, serving up iconic, extra-creamy flavours, sometimes even before they hit the stores.
The Creamery has a variety of event spaces and premium experiences perfect for meetings, gatherings, or events, with delicious catering options for groups of all sizes. The building was designed by the Seattle-based architect duo, Olson-Kundig, and is designed to look like a modern barn. The new facility is bigger and more interactive than the previous one, with unique features for guests to enjoy.
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds are exclusively sold at the Tillamook Creamery, Tillamook Market at the PDX Airport, and seasonally in their online shop. They are not available in grocery stores as they lose their freshness quickly.
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Tillamook Cheddar Cheese recipe
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is made with four natural ingredients: cultured milk, enzymes (rennet), salt, and annatto. Annatto is a natural coloring that gives Tillamook Cheddar its distinctive yellow color. It is extracted from the seeds of annatto trees, which are grown in tropical climates. Although annatto does not affect the flavor of the cheese, Tillamook also produces several white cheddar cheeses that do not contain this ingredient.
To make Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, start by sourcing high-quality, rBST-free milk. The milk is then cultured and pasteurized before adding the remaining ingredients: salt, enzymes, and annatto. The mixture is then carefully crafted and aged to develop its bold flavor and signature texture. The longer Tillamook Cheddar cheeses age, the sharper and more flavorful they become. For example, the Extra Sharp White Cheddar and Maker's Reserve cheeses are aged for 2 to 6 years, depending on the specific product.
The Tillamook Cheddar recipe is based on over a century of cheese-making expertise. The cheese can be sliced, shredded, or melted and is incredibly versatile. It can be enjoyed on its own, as a snack, or used as an ingredient in various dishes, such as fried cheese curds, a popular menu item at the Tillamook Creamery. The Tillamook Creamery, located in the charming coastal town of Tillamook, Oregon, is a popular destination for cheese lovers, attracting over a million visitors annually.
In addition to the Tillamook Creamery, you can purchase Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds at the Tillamook Market at the PDX Airport and, seasonally, in their online shop. The company takes great pride in the quality and freshness of its cheese curds, which is why they are not available in grocery stores. If you're looking to buy Tillamook Cheddar Cheese in block form, you may have better luck finding it in grocery stores or purchasing it online.
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Tillamook Cheddar Cheese aging process
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is made with four natural ingredients: cultured milk, enzymes (rennet), salt, and annatto. Annatto is a natural colouring that gives Tillamook Cheddar its distinctive yellow colour. The cheese develops its flavour through the natural process of aging. The longer it ages, the sharper and more flavourful it becomes.
The aging process of Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is carefully controlled to ensure the development of the desired flavour and texture characteristics. The cheese is aged in temperature and humidity-controlled environments, typically for a minimum of 60 days but can be longer for sharper varieties. During this time, the cheese is regularly turned and brushed to ensure even aging and the development of a uniform texture.
Tillamook Cheddar is aged in 40-pound blocks, which helps to promote even aging and allows for better control over the process. The aging rooms are carefully monitored to ensure the ideal conditions for cheese maturation. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and air circulation are all controlled to create the optimal environment for the cheese to develop its characteristic sharp flavour and firm texture.
The Extra Sharp White Cheddar and Maker's Reserve varieties of Tillamook Cheddar are aged for the longest period, ranging from 2 to 6 years depending on the specific product and desired flavour profile. This extended aging gives these cheeses their strong, sharp flavour and firm, crumbly texture. Even after this lengthy aging process, the cheese will continue to age and develop flavour once it is in the consumer's possession. As such, it is recommended to store the cheese in the coldest part of the refrigerator until ready to be consumed.
The Tillamook Cheddar recipe and aging process are based on over 100 years of cheese-making experience. The combination of high-quality ingredients, traditional methods, and careful aging techniques results in a consistent, award-winning cheese with a bold flavour and smooth texture that has become a favourite among cheese lovers.
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Frequently asked questions
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds are sold at the Tillamook Creamery in Tillamook, Oregon, the Tillamook Market at the PDX Airport, and seasonally in their Online Shop. They are not available in grocery stores as they lose their freshness quickly.
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds are made with cultured milk, enzymes (rennet), salt, and annatto. Annatto is a natural colouring that gives Tillamook Cheddar its distinctive yellow colour.
Tillamook's Executive Chef, Josh Archibald, has described Tillamook Fried Cheddar Curds as "golden crisp and delicious melt [s]". Each curd is coated in a breading that stays crisp as it cools.
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds were originally crafted and offered only at the Tillamook Creamery in Oregon. The Tillamook Creamery is the largest tourist attraction on the coast of Oregon, attracting over one million visitors each year. The Tillamook Cheddar recipe is based on over 100 years of cheese-making experience.
