Andy Montoya
Cold pack cheese, also known as club cheese or crock cheese, is a type of cheese spread that is created by blending natural cheeses without the use of heat. It was first made by a Wisconsin tavern owner during the Great Depression. Cold pack cheese is often made using Cheddar or Swiss cheeses as a base, with added flavourings such as spices, fruits, vegetables, or nuts. Smoked cheddar cold pack cheese is a popular variety, with a rich and tasty hickory-smoked flavour. It can be used in a variety of ways, including as an ingredient in sandwiches, on top of hot foods like baked potatoes, as a base for a cheese sauce, or simply on its own as a snack.
Characteristics and Values of Smoked Cheddar Cold Pack Cheese Food
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Soft, creamy, and spreadable |
| Flavour | Spices, fruits, vegetables, meats, almonds, port wine, horseradish, and smoked flavour |
| Colour | White to orange |
| Taste | Sharpens with ripening |
| Forms | Balls, logs, bulk tubs, and party cakes |
| Use | Table cheese for snacks, breakfast, sandwiches, hot foods, cheese sauce, or as an appetizer |
| Weight | 13 oz |
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What You'll Learn
- Cold pack cheese, also known as club cheese, is a type of cheese spread made without heat
- It was first made by a Wisconsin tavern owner during the Great Depression
- It is often made using cheddar or Swiss cheese as a base
- It is flavoured with spices, fruits, vegetables, or meats
- It is soft, creamy, and spreadable straight from the fridge
Cold pack cheese, also known as club cheese, is a type of cheese spread made without heat
Cold pack cheese, also known as club cheese or crock cheese, is a type of cheese spread made without heat. It was first made by a Wisconsin tavern owner during the Great Depression as a snack. Cold pack cheese is typically made using Cheddar or Swiss cheese as a base, with added flavourings such as spices, fruits, vegetables, or nuts. Common flavourings include almonds, port wine, and horseradish, and smoked flavour.
The process of making cold pack cheese involves blending natural cheeses without heat, resulting in a soft, creamy, and spreadable texture. It is similar in appearance to natural cheese and is available in various forms, including balls, logs, bulk tubs, and party cakes. Cold pack cheese is perishable and requires refrigeration due to the absence of heat treatment.
One popular variety of cold pack cheese is the smoked cheddar cold pack cheese spread. This variety combines the sharpness of cheddar with a smoky flavour, creating a rich and tasty spread. It is often sold in 13-ounce packages and can be easily spread straight from the fridge.
Cold pack cheese has a wide range of applications. It can be used as an ingredient in sandwiches, as a topping for hot foods like potatoes, as a base for cheese sauces, or simply enjoyed on its own with crackers as an appetizer. The FDA has established standards of identity for the production of "cold-pack and club cheese", ensuring consistency and quality in the industry.
Compared to cheese spreads made with heat, cold-pack cheese better preserves the taste and texture of its constituent cheeses. This makes it a popular choice for those who want a cheese spread that closely resembles the flavour and mouthfeel of natural cheese.
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It was first made by a Wisconsin tavern owner during the Great Depression
During the Great Depression, a Wisconsin tavern owner first created cold pack cheese, also known as club cheese or crock cheese. It is a soft, creamy, and spreadable blend of natural cheeses without the use of heat. The cheese was made for snacking during the height of the Great Depression.
The tavern owner, like many others at the time, likely created the cheese spread by mixing different cheeses as a snack for customers. This practice may have been influenced by Pot Käs, a similar potted cheese from Sweden. The result is a spreadable cheese that tastes much more like its base cheeses, such as cheddar or Swiss, and better preserves their texture and flavour.
Cold pack cheese is often made using Cheddar or Swiss cheeses as a base, with added spices, fruits, vegetables, or nuts as flavouring. Common flavourings include almonds, port wine, horseradish, and smoked flavour. The cheese gets its name from the fact that it is made without heat treatment or cooking, so it needs to be refrigerated and is not shelf-stable.
The FDA has standards of identity for the production of "cold-pack and club cheese", "cold-pack cheese food", and "cold-pack cheese food with fruits, vegetables, or meats." Wisconsin is particularly known for its cold pack cheese, with numerous producers across the state. Shullsburg Creamery, for example, offers a smoked cheddar cold pack cheese spread that has received positive reviews for its flavour and spreadability.
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It is often made using cheddar or Swiss cheese as a base
Cold pack cheese, also known as club cheese or crock cheese, is a type of cheese spread that is created by blending natural cheeses without the use of heat. It was first made by a Wisconsin tavern owner during the Great Depression. Cold pack cheese is often made using cheddar or Swiss cheese as a base, with added flavourings such as spices, fruits, vegetables, or nuts. Common flavourings include almonds, port wine, horseradish, and smoked flavour.
The process of making cold pack cheese involves blending different cheeses without applying heat, resulting in a soft, creamy, and spreadable texture. This method helps preserve the taste and texture of the constituent cheeses better than traditional cheese spreads made with heat. The FDA has specific standards for the production of "cold-pack and club cheese", "cold-pack cheese food", and "cold-pack cheese food with fruits, vegetables, or meats".
When cheddar or Swiss cheese is used as the base for cold pack cheese, it provides a familiar and versatile flavour profile. Cheddar, known for its sharp and tangy taste, blends well with various ingredients, making it a popular choice for cheese spreads. Similarly, Swiss cheese, with its mild and nutty flavour, offers a subtle base that can be enhanced with different additives.
The versatility of cold pack cheese made with cheddar or Swiss cheese allows it to be used in a variety of ways. It can be spread on crackers or sandwiches, melted on top of hot foods like potatoes, or served as an appetizer on its own. The addition of smoked flavour, as in the case of smoked cheddar cold pack cheese, further enhances the taste and makes it a unique and appealing option for consumers.
Shullsburg Creamery offers a smoked cheddar cold pack cheese spread that has received positive reviews for its flavour and spreadability. It is described as a rich and tasty cheese spread with a hickory-smoked flavour, perfect for special occasions or everyday snacks. The cold packaging ensures that the product remains fresh, even during delivery.
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It is flavoured with spices, fruits, vegetables, or meats
Cold pack cheese is a type of cheese spread that is created by blending natural cheeses, typically Cheddar or Swiss, without the use of heat. It was first made by a Wisconsin tavern owner during the Great Depression as a snack. Cold pack cheese has a soft, creamy, and spreadable texture, and it is often flavoured with spices, fruits, vegetables, or meats.
The addition of spices, fruits, vegetables, or meats enhances the flavour of cold pack cheese, making it more savoury and complex. These flavourings can be used individually or in combination to create unique and intriguing taste profiles. For instance, almonds are commonly used to impart a nutty aroma and texture to the cheese. Port wine is another popular choice, infusing the cheese with a rich, sweet, and slightly tangy flavour. Horseradish can be added for a pungent kick, creating a bold and spicy profile.
Meats are also used to flavour cold pack cheese, such as bacon or sausage, adding a savoury, smoky dimension to the spread. Smoked flavour is often incorporated, providing a subtle, smoky aroma and a hint of barbecue taste. This can be achieved by using actual smokers or smoke-flavoured ingredients. For example, hickory-smoked cold cheddar is a popular variety, where the cheese is smoked using hickory wood, resulting in a distinctively flavoured cheese.
The versatility of cold pack cheese allows it to be used in a variety of ways. It can be spread on crackers or bread, added to sandwiches, or served as an appetizer with meats and crackers. It can also be used as an ingredient in recipes, such as stuffed potatoes or cheese sauces, adding a burst of flavour to the dish.
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It is soft, creamy, and spreadable straight from the fridge
Smoked cheddar cold pack cheese food is a type of soft, creamy, and spreadable cheese that can be enjoyed straight from the fridge. It is a blend of natural cheeses, typically using Cheddar or Swiss cheese as a base, with added flavourings such as spices, fruits, vegetables, or nuts. The smoking process infuses the cheese with a rich, hickory-smoked flavour.
The soft and creamy texture of smoked cheddar cold pack cheese food makes it ideal for spreading on crackers, sandwiches, or even baked potatoes. It can also be used as an ingredient in recipes, such as stuffed Hasselback potatoes or marinated cheese appetizers. The cheese is typically sold in tubs or logs and needs to be refrigerated due to its perishable nature.
One popular brand offering smoked cheddar cold pack cheese food is Shullsburg Creamery, which ships its products with specialised cold packaging to ensure they arrive chilled and ready to enjoy. Their smoked cheddar variety has received positive reviews from customers, praising its flavour and spreadability.
The process of cold smoking cheddar involves using a smoker to infuse the cheese with smoke flavour without melting it. This can be achieved at home using a smoker, such as the Smokin' Tex model, and a cold smoke plate. The cheese is placed in the smoker with ice, and after smoking, it is chilled in the refrigerator until it is ready to be served.
In summary, smoked cheddar cold pack cheese food is a versatile and tasty option for those who enjoy soft, creamy, and spreadable cheese straight from the fridge. It can be used as a simple snack or incorporated into various dishes to add a smoky flavour and creamy texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Smoked cheddar cold pack cheese food is a soft, creamy, and spreadable blend of natural cheeses without the use of heat. It is often made using Cheddar or Swiss cheeses as a base, with added spices, fruits, vegetables, or meats for flavoring.
Smoked cheddar cold pack cheese food has a rich and tasty hickory-smoked flavor.
Smoked cheddar cold pack cheese food can be used as an ingredient in sandwiches, on top of hot foods such as baked potatoes, as a base for a cheese sauce, or simply on its own, served with crackers as an appetizer.
Smoked cheddar cold pack cheese food can be purchased from online retailers such as Amazon and directly from the manufacturer's website, Shullsburg Creamery.
Smoked cheddar cold pack cheese food is packaged in a way that keeps the product cold and fresh during shipping.
