Bushra Griffith
The Minnesota State Fair is an annual festival that showcases a variety of food items, including cheese curds. In 2018, Mouth Trap, a vendor inside the Food Building, served a total of 65,000 pounds of Ellsworth cheese curds over the course of the 12-day festival. The Minnesota State Fair cheese curds have gained popularity among fairgoers, with some considering them to be the “best and amazingly well done.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the cheese curd | Mouth Trap Cheese Curds |
| Amount consumed at the Minnesota State Fair | 65,000 pounds over 12 days |
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What You'll Learn
Mouth Trap Cheese Curds
The Mouth Trap Cheese Curds are a true crowd-pleaser, with people raving about their freshness and flavour. These cheese curds are so popular that people are willing to brave the heat of the Food Building to get their hands on them. And it's not just the curds that are a draw, but also the unique atmosphere of the Minnesota State Fair itself. With its friendly people and incredible food, it's no wonder that the fair is a highly anticipated event, offering a true taste of "Minnesota Nice".
The process of making Mouth Trap Cheese Curds is an art in itself. Fresh Ellsworth cheese curds are battered and deep-fried, resulting in a light and crispy exterior that gives way to a gooey, cheesy centre. The curds are then served hot, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth experience. For those who can't get enough of cheese, Mouth Trap also offers mozzarella cheese curds breaded with Italian seasoning and deep-fried, served over a bruschetta-style blend of tomatoes and basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze and accompanied by crostini.
But Mouth Trap isn't the only vendor serving up delicious cheese curds at the Minnesota State Fair. For those who like their curds with a twist, Nelson's offers fried curds with added flavours. There are also creative variations like pepperoni, sausage, and pizza-flavoured fried cheese curds in a crispy flour shell, topped with marinara sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. For a sweet and savoury option, there are white cheddar cheese curds coated in funnel cake batter, deep-fried, and topped with lemon whipped cream and a drizzle of berry sauce.
Whether it's Mouth Trap's classic cheese curds or one of the many creative variations offered at the Minnesota State Fair, one thing is clear: cheese curds are a beloved staple of the event. With their gooey, crispy goodness, they have become a symbol of the fair's unique food culture, leaving visitors with fond memories and a serious craving for more.
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Ellsworth cheese curds
The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, based in Wisconsin, offers a variety of cheese curd flavours, including Natural, Ranch, Garlic, Hot Buffalo, Cajun, Taco, Dill Pickle, and Hickory Bacon. These cheese curds are a popular snack, enjoyed straight from the bag or heated in the microwave to enhance their "squeakiness". They are also used as an ingredient in recipes, adding a big cheesy flavour.
The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery's commitment to using the finest ingredients and their over 100 years of cheese-making experience have made their cheese curds renowned. Their unique packaging process also ensures an extended shelf life of over six months for their cheese curds when kept refrigerated and unopened. This allows consumers to enjoy the delicious taste of Ellsworth cheese curds for longer.
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Fried cheese curds
The fair is renowned for its eclectic and indulgent offerings, and fried cheese curds have become an iconic dish among attendees. While Mouth Trap is a popular destination for curds, other vendors also put their spin on this classic. Nelson's, for example, offers fried curds with added flavours, providing a unique twist on the traditional favourite.
The Minnesota State Fair presents a variety of cheese curd preparations, showcasing the creativity and versatility of this simple yet delicious ingredient. Beyond the classic fried cheese curds, innovative variations have emerged, such as mozzarella cheese curds breaded with Italian seasoning and served over a bruschetta-flavoured blend of tomatoes and basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze. Another variation includes pepperoni, sausage, and pizza-flavoured fried cheese curds in a crispy flour shell, topped with marinara sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
White cheddar cheese curds coated in a funnel cake batter and deep-fried, topped with lemon whipped cream and a drizzle of berry sauce, offer a sweet and savoury twist on the traditional fried cheese curds. The Minnesota State Fair's embrace of fried cheese curds reflects the local passion for this delicacy and has helped elevate it to a level of culinary fame.
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White cheddar cheese curds
Cheese curds are the youngest form of cheese. They are the product of the cheese-making process, extracted from the cheese vat after the whey separation step, before being pressed into mature cheeses like Cheddar or Colby. White cheddar cheese curds are known for their mild flavour and firm, springy texture. They are often referred to as "squeaky cheese" due to their distinctive texture and sound when bitten into.
At the Minnesota State Fair, vendors get creative with their cheese curd offerings. In 2025, fairgoers could indulge in white cheddar cheese curds coated in funnel cake batter and deep-fried, then topped with a scoop of fresh lemon whipped cream and a drizzle of berry sauce. Another unique twist on the classic is the addition of Italian seasoning and deep-frying the curds, serving them with a bruschetta-style blend of tomatoes and basil, and a side of crostini.
Whether enjoyed as a snack or incorporated into recipes, white cheddar cheese curds offer a delicious and versatile cheese experience, especially when showcased at events like the Minnesota State Fair.
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Pizza-flavoured cheese curds
The Minnesota State Fair is a celebration of all things delicious, and one of the most iconic foods on offer is cheese curds. In 2018, Mouth Trap inside the Food Building served up a whopping 65,000 pounds of Ellsworth cheese curds over the course of the 12-day festival. That's a lot of cheese!
For those who want to take their cheese curds to the next level, pizza-flavoured cheese curds are a must-try. These delicious morsels are made with farm-fresh, pasteurized Ayrshire milk, known for its high butterfat content and creamy texture. The milk is sourced from a herd of Ayrshire cows raised on a farm in Elverson, PA.
To create the pizza flavour, the curds are infused with classic pizza spices and tomato powder, giving them a delightful cheese and tomato flavour that will tantalize any pizza lover's taste buds. The result is a delicious, squeaky bite with a perfect blend of cheese and tomato in every mouthful.
At the Minnesota State Fair, you can find pizza-flavoured fried cheese curds served in a crispy flour shell, topped with marinara sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. It's a mouth-watering twist on the traditional cheese curd, combining the best of both worlds: pizza and fried cheese.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try making your own pizza-flavoured cheese curds at home. Some companies, like Cedar Grove Cheese, offer flavoured cheddar cheese curds that can be ordered online, allowing customers to specify their desired flavour. So, whether you're enjoying them at the Minnesota State Fair or in the comfort of your own home, pizza-flavoured cheese curds are a delicious treat for any cheese lover.
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Frequently asked questions
The Minnesota State Fair uses 65,000 pounds of cheese curds over the course of the 12-day festival.
Mouth Trap inside the Food Building is a popular spot for cheese curds at the Minnesota State Fair.
Cheese curds are small chunks of curdled milk, often from cow's milk. They are known for their gooey texture and are usually fried with a crispy batter.
The Minnesota State Fair offers a wide variety of foods, including deep-fried sweets, pizzas, burgers, and more.
The Minnesota State Fair is an annual event, typically held in late summer or early fall. It is one of the largest and most well-known state fairs in the United States.
