Aging Secrets: Cougar Gold Cheese's Longevity And Taste

Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University. It is aged for at least one year and has a nutty flavour resembling Swiss or Gouda. The cheese is sold in 30-ounce tin cans and has an indefinite shelf life if kept unopened and refrigerated. The cheese's unique packaging and longevity are a result of its development during World War II when the US government was exploring new food storage technologies.

Cougar Gold is aged for a minimum of one year

Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar cheese that is aged for a minimum of one year. This ageing process is what gives Cougar Gold its distinctive nutty flavour and crumbly texture. The cheese is produced at the Washington State University Creamery and has been made since 1941.

Aged cheese tends to have a longer shelf life compared to younger varieties, and Cougar Gold is no exception. When unopened and properly refrigerated, Cougar Gold can last indefinitely. In fact, the cheese is known to become more flavourful, sharp, dry, and crumbly with age. Some customers have even aged Cougar Gold for over 30 years.

The cheese's longevity can be attributed to its distinctive tin cans, which create a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth. However, once opened, it is recommended to transfer the cheese to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in wax paper to maintain its quality.

Proper storage is crucial for prolonging the shelf life of Cougar Gold. It should be kept refrigerated at temperatures between 35°F to 45°F (1.6°C to 7.2°C). Additionally, ensuring the cheese is tightly wrapped will prevent exposure to air, which can accelerate spoilage.

Despite its longevity, Cougar Gold is still subject to spoilage over time. Excessive mould growth, sour or ammonia-like odours, and a slimy or gritty texture are all signs that the cheese has gone bad.

It's sold in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans

Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar cheese produced at Ferdinand's Creamery on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Washington. It is sold exclusively in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans, a tradition that dates back to the 1940s.

The idea of selling cheese in tin cans originated from research funded by the US government and the American Can Company, who were looking for new food storage technologies to supply troops during World War II. The tin cans were chosen as plastic packaging materials had not been invented, and wax packaging sometimes cracked, leading to contamination. The tin cans were an effective way to preserve the freshness of the cheese as the canning process removes excess air, creating a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth.

The Cougar Gold cheese is aged for a minimum of one year, during which its flavour matures and intensifies. The cheese is notable for its nutty flavour and creamy texture, resembling Swiss or Gouda cheese.

The 30-ounce tin cans are not only practical for storage and transportation but also contribute to the extended shelf life of the cheese. When properly refrigerated, Cougar Gold cheese can last indefinitely in the unopened tin can. In fact, the cheese becomes more flavourful, sharp, dry, and crumbly with age, and it does not develop a bitter aftertaste over time. This unique characteristic has led to some customers ageing their Cougar Gold cheese for over 30 years.

The distinctive tin cans, with their yellow-and-white-striped packaging, have become synonymous with Cougar Gold cheese. Each can contains 30 ounces of cheese, measuring 6 inches in diameter and 2.25 inches in height. The dimensions ensure a generous amount of cheese for consumers, and the canning process guarantees its freshness and longevity.

The cheese is produced at Washington State University

Cougar Gold is an American Cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, Washington. More specifically, it is made at Ferdinand's Creamery on the university's campus. The university started making cheese in cans in the 1940s when the US government and American Can Company funded WSU's research into long-lasting cheese for troops. The cheese is aged for at least a year and is known for its nutty flavour and crumbly texture.

The WSU Creamery produces eight different flavours of cheese, Cougar Gold being the most popular. Around 250,000 cans of Cougar Cheese are produced annually, with around 80% being Cougar Gold. The cheese is notable for being sold exclusively in 30 oz (850 g) tin cans. The cans are important to the cheese's longevity as they remove excess air, creating a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth. The university also employs students to produce the cheese and sell products in Ferdinand's Ice Cream Shoppe.

The cheese was developed by Norman S. Golding, an Englishman who got his first job at the milk factory supplying Cadbury confectionery. After serving in World War I and obtaining several degrees in dairy science, Golding became a professor at Washington State College in 1934. With World War II approaching, Golding's research focused on canned cheese. The result was Cougar Gold, named in honour of Golding and the university's mascot.

Cougar Gold has won several awards, including a silver medal at the 2000 World Cheese Awards and a gold medal at the 2006 World Cheese Awards.

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

Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar with a nutty flavour. It is aged for at least a year, during which time it develops a creamy texture and nutty undertones. The ageing process intensifies the flavour of the cheese, making it sharper and more flavourful. It also dries out the cheese, making it crumbly and harder to slice.

The cheese is produced at Washington State University's creamery, and is notable for being sold exclusively in 30-ounce tin cans. The tin cans are excellent packaging for preserving freshness. The canning process removes excess air, creating a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth.

Cougar Gold is renowned for its rich flavour and creamy texture, and has earned a cult following among cheese enthusiasts worldwide. It has been recognised by the American Cheese Society and the World Cheese Awards.

To store Cougar Gold, it should be kept unopened and refrigerated, where it will last indefinitely. Over time, an unopened can of Cougar Gold will become more flavourful, sharp, dry, and crumbly. Once opened, the cheese should be removed from the can and stored in the refrigerator, where it will last similarly to other store-bought cheese.

Cougar Gold is not immune to spoilage

Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University and sold in distinctive 30-ounce tin cans. The cheese is renowned for its rich flavour and creamy texture, with nutty undertones. It is also known for its longevity, with unopened cans able to be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator.

However, despite its impressive shelf life, Cougar Gold is not entirely resistant to spoilage. Once the can is opened, Cougar Gold has a finite lifespan, similar to other store-bought cheeses. Proper storage and handling are crucial to prolonging the shelf life of Cougar Gold, or any other cheese for that matter.

When unopened, Cougar Gold should be stored in the refrigerator, where it will remain safe to consume indefinitely. The tin cans create a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth, contributing to the cheese's longevity. However, once the can is opened, the cheese becomes susceptible to spoilage. It is recommended to transfer the cheese to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in wax paper for optimal preservation.

Even with proper storage, Cougar Gold can eventually spoil. Excessive mould growth, sour or ammonia-like odours, and a slimy or gritty texture are all indications that the cheese has gone bad. These signs of spoilage are caused by bacterial contamination, which can occur despite the cheese's original vacuum seal.

While Cougar Gold boasts an impressive shelf life when unopened, proper care must be taken once the can is opened. By following recommended storage guidelines and regularly checking for signs of spoilage, consumers can extend the shelf life of Cougar Gold and safely enjoy its exquisite flavour.

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