The Long-Lasting Deliciousness Of Cougar Gold Cheese

Cougar Gold is an American white, sharp cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University. It is notable for being sold exclusively in 30-ounce tin cans. The cheese is aged for at least one year and has a nutty flavor resembling Swiss or Gouda. When unopened and properly refrigerated, Cougar Gold can last indefinitely in the can. However, once opened, it must be handled and stored similarly to other store-bought cheese to prolong its shelf life.

Refrigeration is key to Cougar Gold's longevity

The key to Cougar Gold's longevity is proper refrigeration. When unopened and refrigerated, Cougar Gold can last indefinitely in the can. According to the WSU Creamery website, "As long as the cheese is unopened and refrigerated, it will last indefinitely." This indefinite shelf life is due to the canning process, which creates an airtight seal that protects the cheese from spoilage. However, once the can is opened, the cheese must be removed from the can and stored in the refrigerator, where it will last as long as any other cheddar cheese, approximately 4-6 weeks if handled and stored properly.

The history of Cougar Gold's canning process dates back to the 1930s when WSU Creamery became interested in different ways to store cheese. Plastic packaging was not yet invented, and wax packaging sometimes cracked, leading to contamination. In the 1940s, with funding from the US government and the American Can Company, WSU began researching how to successfully keep cheese in tins. This research led to the development of Cougar Gold, named after Norman S. Golding, one of the men involved in its production.

Today, Cougar Gold is still produced in the same yellow-and-white-striped packaging, with students manning the campus retail store and cheesemaking floor. The cheese is a popular product, with approximately 250,000 cans of Cougar Cheese produced annually, and 80% of those being Cougar Gold. The indefinite shelf life of unopened, refrigerated Cougar Gold means that customers can age the cheese for as long as they wish, with some reporting storing their Cougar Gold for over 30 years.

It's safe to eat even if the can is bulging

Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University. It is sold in 30-ounce tin cans and has a nutty flavor, becoming more flavorful, sharp, dry, and crumbly with age.

The cheese is known for its longevity, with an unopened can lasting indefinitely when properly refrigerated. This is due to its unique canning process, which involves introducing a second culture specifically designed to limit carbon dioxide production, preventing spoilage and creating a new variety of crumbly, nutty, yet creamy cheese.

While the cheese can last indefinitely, there may come a point when the can starts to bulge. This is due to the cheese emitting carbon dioxide as it ages, which can build up and cause the can to distend or bulge. However, this does not mean that the cheese has gone bad or is unsafe to eat. According to the WSU Creamery website, "As our cheese ages, it emits carbon dioxide. Eventually, enough gas can build up to distend/bulge the can. The cheese is perfectly safe to eat and of the quality you would normally expect."

So, if you notice your can of Cougar Gold cheese has a bulge, don't worry! It is still safe to consume. However, it is recommended to consume the cheese sooner rather than later, as once the bulging process starts, it will continue until the seal is released.

The cheese is aged for a minimum of one year

Cougar Gold is an American sharp cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University. It is aged for a minimum of one year and has a nutty flavour, resembling Swiss or Gouda. Cougar Gold is sold in 30-ounce tin cans and is notable for its indefinite shelf life when kept unopened and refrigerated.

The process of ageing Cougar Gold cheese for a minimum of one year enhances its flavour and texture. During this time, the cheese becomes sharper, drier, and more crumbly, developing amino acid crystals that contribute to the desired characteristics of well-aged cheese. The longer the cheese is aged, the more pronounced these traits become. Some enthusiasts have aged Cougar Gold for over 30 years, and the cheese only improves with time.

The indefinite shelf life of unopened and refrigerated Cougar Gold cheese is a result of the canning process. The cheese was originally developed in the 1940s with funding from the US government and the American Can Company, who were seeking a successful method for preserving cheese in tins. The canning process prevents spoilage due to dry, moist, hot, or cold conditions during ageing or transport. It also eliminates the risk of contamination that can occur when cheese is coated in wax, as cracking can expose the cheese to air and cause rot.

The Cougar Gold cheese-making process includes a unique step of introducing a second culture, known as "WSU19," specifically designed to limit carbon dioxide production. This innovation solved the issue of unsightly bulges or exploding cans that can occur when cheese is sealed in airtight containers. The WSU19 culture creates an entirely new cheese profile, with a crumbly, nutty, and creamy texture and a mild sharpness that dissipates pleasantly on the palate.

In summary, Cougar Gold cheese is a remarkable product with a minimum ageing process of one year, resulting in a unique flavour and texture that has been perfected over several decades. Its indefinite shelf life when unopened and refrigerated makes it a favourite among cheese enthusiasts, who appreciate its ability to develop complexity and character over time.

It's a white, sharp cheddar with a nutty flavour

Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar with a nutty flavour. It is produced at Ferdinand's Creamery on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Washington. The cheese is sold exclusively in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans and is notable for its long shelf life.

When properly refrigerated, Cougar Gold can last indefinitely in its unopened can. The cheese becomes more flavourful, sharp, dry, and crumbly with age, and Cougar Gold does not develop a bitter aftertaste over time, unlike some other varieties of cheddar. The cheese is aged for at least one year and is inoculated with a second culture of bacteria, known as "WSU19," which limits carbon dioxide production and creates its unique texture and taste.

Once the can is opened, the cheese should be removed and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. At this point, the cheese will last as long as any other store-bought cheddar, approximately 4-6 weeks, depending on how it is stored and handled. To extend the shelf life, some people wrap the cheese in a paper towel slightly dampened with white vinegar, then place it in a zip-top bag or vacuum-sealed bag.

The long shelf life of Cougar Gold is due to its unique packaging and production process. The cheese was originally developed in the 1940s when the US government and the American Can Company funded research at Washington State University to find a way to successfully store cheese in tins. The canning method was chosen over traditional wax coating, which could crack and cause the cheese to rot, and plastic packaging, which was not yet widely available. The result is a cheese that, when unopened and refrigerated, will last for years and develop a sharper, more crumbly texture over time.

Cougar Gold is only available at select retailers in Washington State

Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar cheese produced at Ferdinand's Creamery on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Washington. It is aged for at least one year and has a nutty flavour that somewhat resembles Swiss or Gouda cheese. Cougar Gold is notable for being sold exclusively in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans. The cheese was first developed in the 1940s when the US government and the American Can Company funded Washington State University's research into successfully storing cheese in tins. The unique packaging was originally designed for military use, but the arrival of cheaper plastic packaging and the need for refrigeration meant that Cougar Gold was never adopted for this purpose.

The cheese is still sold in cans today, and these cans play an important role in Cougar Gold's indefinite shelf life. When unopened and properly refrigerated, Cougar Gold will last forever. The can prevents exposure to inconsistent temperatures, which can cause high levels of butterfat and whey to separate from the cheese, changing its texture and quality. The can also protects the cheese from contaminants, which can cause spoilage. However, even in a can, Cougar Gold does age and will become more flavorful, sharp, dry, and crumbly over time. The cheese does not become bitter with age, unlike some other cheddar varieties.

While Cougar Gold's indefinite shelf life means that it can be purchased and stored in advance of consumption, it is important to note that the cheese is perishable once the can is opened. Opened cans of Cougar Gold should be removed from their packaging and stored in the refrigerator, where they will last for a similar duration to comparable store-bought cheeses. Proper storage methods, such as vacuum sealing or individually wrapping wedges of cheese, can help extend the shelf life of opened Cougar Gold.

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