Kamil Perry
Cheese curds are a popular snack in some parts of America, especially in the Midwest. They are a byproduct of the cheddar cheese-making process and are usually fresh, though they can also be flavoured with garlic, peppers, or horseradish. In some states, like California, fresh, raw milk cheese products, including curds, are illegal due to food safety concerns. However, cheese curds that have been aged for at least 60 days can be sold and are available in stores, though they may not be easily found in all regions. To get cheese curds in America, one can purchase them from specialty cheese shops, farms, or online retailers, who often ship them nationwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese curds in Minnesota | Battered and deep-fried cheese curds, dipped in sauce |
| Cheese curds in California | Illegal due to a food safety law regarding raw milk |
| Cheese curds in Wisconsin | Shipped fresh daily, known for their fresh, addicting taste and springy texture |
| Cheese curds in Pennsylvania | Sold by September Farm Cheese |
| Cheese curds in general | Made from pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, and seasonings; can be flavoured with garlic, pepper, horseradish, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Buy online from specialist cheese suppliers
If you're looking to buy cheese curds online from a specialist cheese supplier, there are several options available to you.
September Farm offers a range of flavored cheese curds, including Bacon Horseradish, Bacon Smoked, Cajun, Garlic Dill, Harvest Ranch, Old Bay, Roasted Garlic, and Wood Fired Pizza. They also offer an original flavor for those who want to enjoy the traditional taste of cheese curds. Their cheese curds are made with fresh farm milk from their family farm in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, and they ship directly to your home or business.
Gardners Wisconsin Cheese & Sausage is another option, specializing in White Cheddar cheese curds, a Wisconsin staple. They offer free cold packing and shipping for orders over $69 and recommend enjoying their cheese curds within two weeks for the best flavor.
Vern's Cheese, based in Wisconsin, offers "squeaky" Wisconsin cheese curds that are so fresh they make a squeaking sound when you eat them. They recommend express shipping to ensure the quality and freshness of their perishable product, especially during warmer weather.
When buying cheese curds online, it's important to consider the shipping options and temperatures to ensure that your cheese curds arrive in optimal condition. Some suppliers, like Vern's Cheese, may require certain shipping methods during the summer months to maintain freshness.
Additionally, some suppliers offer flavored cheese curds, allowing you to explore different tastes and find your favorites. Whether you're looking for traditional cheese curds or something more adventurous, buying online from specialist cheese suppliers gives you access to a variety of options that can be delivered straight to your door.
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Buy in-store from Walmart
If you're looking to buy cheese curds in-store from Walmart, there are a few options to choose from. Cheese curds are a byproduct of the cheddar cheese-making process and are usually fresh, but in California, they must be aged for at least 60 days before sale due to food safety laws.
Walmart offers a variety of cheese curds, including the Trivers brand, which sells Half Naked White Cheese Curds in an 8-ounce package with 20 per case. They also offer Half Naked Yellow Cheese Curds in the same size and quantity. These cheese curds are likely to be found in the deli or dairy section of the store, alongside other cheeses and dairy products.
Another option is the American Farmhouse brand, which offers Fresh Natural White Cheddar Cheese Curds in a 5-ounce plastic bag. These cheese curds are packaged in smaller quantities and can be a great option if you're looking for a quick snack or a smaller portion.
Additionally, Walmart carries Riverside Foods Homestyle Cheddar Cheese Curds, which are also available in a 5-ounce package with 32 per case. This option provides a convenient, individual-sized serving, making it ideal for on-the-go snacking or portion control.
When purchasing cheese curds from Walmart, it's important to check the freshness and quality of the product. Look for cheese curds that are moist, with a slightly springy texture, and avoid those that appear dry or crumbly. Fresh cheese curds should also have a mild, pleasant aroma and a tangy, creamy flavor.
By following these tips and choosing from the available options at Walmart, you can easily purchase and enjoy cheese curds as a snack, ingredient, or part of a delicious dish like poutine, which combines fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
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Make your own
Cheese curds are a byproduct of the cheddar cheese-making process, usually the curds that were not pressed into a mold, or which broke off in the process of cheddaring, or even those left over after the molds were filled. They are a type of "green cheese", as they are not aged. If you get them fresh, they will squeak when you bite into them for the first day or so. They are also used in a Canadian dish called poutine, which consists of fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy.
While cheese curds are available to buy online and in some stores in the US, they can be hard to find in certain states such as California, where fresh, raw milk cheese products are illegal due to a food safety law. However, you can make your own cheese curds at home. Here is a recipe for homemade cheese curds:
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Cheese culture
- Rennet
- Salt
- Egg
- Vegetable oil
- Milk or beer
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
Steps:
- Pasteurize the milk before it is ready for cheesemaking.
- When the milk is at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, add cheese culture. This activates the milk and turns the milk sugars into lactic acid.
- Add rennet, an enzyme that causes the milk to coagulate. The cheese will set up like custard in about 20 minutes.
- Cut the curd using curd knives, which are wires that cut the mixture into a quarter-inch grid.
- Cover the curds and heat to 98 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), stirring every 10 minutes for about 90 minutes.
- Squeeze curds together to check if they stick.
- Drain curds and transfer to a cheesecloth-lined strainer set inside a pot.
- Pour enough whey over the curds to reach about 3 inches at the bottom of the pot. Let drain for about 1 minute.
- Cover with cheesecloth and the pot lid. Heat the whey to keep curds between 112 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit (44 and 46 degrees Celsius); let drain for 10 minutes.
- Cut the slab of curds in half, re-cover, and let drain for 10 minutes.
- Flip curds over and re-wrap. Drain for 10 minutes more, keeping the temperature still between 112 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit (44 and 46 degrees Celsius).
- Cut the slab into smaller slabs and stack them inside the cloth. Return to the pot and cover.
- Continue draining, flipping, and rearranging the slabs every 15 minutes at the same steady temperature for about 1 hour total.
- Apply 1% kosher salt based on the weight of the finished curds. For example, if you have 400 grams of cheese curds, then season with 4 grams of salt.
You can serve these homemade cheese curds immediately, or cover them with a cheesecloth and let them sit for 12 hours for a tangier flavor. If you want to deep fry your cheese curds, heat vegetable oil to 375 to 385 Fahrenheit in a deep fryer or large pot. Combine egg, vegetable oil, and milk or beer in a medium bowl until well blended. Then, add flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder and mix until smooth. Drop the cheese curds in the batter and turn to coat thoroughly. Fry a few at a time for about 1 minute or until brown and puffed, turning to coat all sides.
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Find them in Wisconsin and Minnesota
If you're in Wisconsin, you're in luck—cheese curds are an iconic staple of the state. You can order gourmet Wisconsin cheese curds online from several vendors, who ship them fresh daily and even offer flavoured options like bacon and garlic dill. If you're in the northern part of the state, you can also try to find them in person at local cheese factories.
In Minnesota, cheese curds are also a popular snack. In Minneapolis, you can find them at various restaurants and pubs, including Stray Dog. If you're in St. Paul, check out Foxy Falafel, a restaurant and food truck that serves up gluten-free cheese curds tossed in cornstarch and fresh dill fronds, served with local wildflower honey.
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They are illegal in California
While cheese curds are widely available across the United States, there is one notable exception: California. Due to strict food safety regulations in the state, cheese curds are illegal in California. This is primarily because cheese curds are a fresh, unaged cheese product, and California law requires that all cheese sold in the state must be aged for at least 60 days. The aging process is thought to reduce the risk of foodborne illness by lowering the moisture content and creating an environment inhospitable to harmful bacteria.
So, what does this mean for cheese curd enthusiasts in California? Unfortunately, it means that finding fresh cheese curds in the state is not possible through legal means. Those craving the squeaky, salty snack have limited options and may feel like they are breaking bad... or at least breaking some cheese rules. Here are some ways Californians can (illegally) get their hands on cheese curds:
Cheese Smuggling: Some daring individuals choose to smuggle cheese curds into California from neighboring states where they are legal, such as Oregon or Nevada. This practice, often referred to as "cheese running," involves purchasing fresh cheese curds and quickly transporting them across state lines before they can begin to spoil. Of course, this method carries the risk of encountering law enforcement and facing penalties for transporting illegal cheese.
Black Market Cheese: In what could be considered a "underground cheese scene," some Californians turn to black market sources to acquire their beloved cheese curds. This may involve connecting with clandestine cheese suppliers who operate outside the bounds of legal food sales, often through discreet transactions arranged through personal connections or online forums. Obviously, this approach carries risks, including the possibility of encountering unscrupulous dealers or subpar (and potentially unsafe) cheese.
DIY Cheese Curds: For those with a do-it-yourself spirit and a penchant for dairy craftsmanship, making cheese curds at home is an option. While it requires specialized equipment and a careful adherence to food safety practices, some Californians choose to bypass the legal system by crafting their own cheese curds in clandestine kitchen operations. Recipes and tutorials can be found online, but the process demands precision and a thorough understanding of cheese-making techniques.
Political Advocacy: Some cheese curd aficionados in California channel their energy into advocating for a change in the state's food safety regulations. This involves engaging with local politicians, participating in food policy discussions, and raising awareness about the cultural and culinary significance of cheese curds. While it may not provide immediate gratification in the form of fresh cheese curds, advocating for legal reform offers a path toward enjoying cheese curds in California without breaking the law.
It is important to remember that while these methods exist, they are illegal and may carry consequences. The safest and most legal option for Californians is to enjoy aged cheeses or travel to states where fresh cheese curds are legally available. The situation in California highlights the complex interplay between food safety regulations, local food cultures, and the lengths to which people will go to satisfy their taste for forbidden cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese curds are legal in the US, although they must be aged for at least 60 days before being sold due to a food safety law regarding raw milk. In California, fresh, raw milk cheese products, including curds, are illegal.
You can buy cheese curds from various online retailers, such as September Farm, Cheese Bros, and Walmart. You can also buy them from local cheese factories and stores, particularly in the Midwest.
Fresh cheese curds are known for their "squeakiness". If your cheese curds have lost their squeak, you can try microwaving them for a few seconds to restore the squeakiness.
