Why Do Cheese Curds Squeak?

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What Are Cheese Curds?

Before we can explain that adorable squeak, we need togive you a quick primer on the role of cheesecurds in cheesemaking. You might be surprised to learn thatalmost all cheeses start life as cheese curds. That’s because the first step ofthe cheesemaking process is to separate farm-fresh milk into curds and whey,done by heating vats of milk with a whey starter and rennet.

The bacterium inthe starter acidifies the milk and forms curds, which are then separated fromthe whey and pressed into blocks. Although the specific details of this processvary by cheese, the fundamentals stay consistent.

Here in Wisconsin, theprocess for making the bite-size curds we all know and love closely followsthat of cheddar. Cheddar uses a unique process called “cheddaring,” whichinvolves stacking blocks of curds on top of each other to squeeze out any excesswhey or air trapped in the layers below.

The science behind the squeak

To understand why cheese curds squeak, we have to take a closerlook at the building blocks of cheese: proteins. On a microscopic level, cheesecurds are made up of proteins that are bound together with calcium. When youbite into a cheese curd, this protein and calcium structure rubs against theenamel on your teeth, making a squeaking sound.

If your cheese curds don’t squeak, don’t panic! Cheese curds onlystay squeaky for a few days at peak freshness. After a few days, thecalcium-protein bonds that cause the squeakiness begin to break, thus endingthe squeak-fest. This doesn’t mean that your cheese curds have gone bad,though. The squeak factor of cheese curds does not have any bearing on thetaste.

How do you make cheese curds squeak again?

If you’re missing out on those adorable squeaks from your cheesecurds, we have some good news: you can actually make them squeaky again! You can revive thesqueakiness in your cheese curds by putting them in the microwave for 3-5seconds. This re-bonds the calcium and protein structures, amping up the squeakfactor. (Sometimes we call this highly scientific process“re-squeak-ification.”) Don’t microwave them for longer, though, unless you’relooking to melt your precious curds.

How long do cheese curds stay squeaky?

Cheese curds will generally stay squeaky for 3-5 days after theyare made. Keep your cheese curds in the refrigerator and away from any moisturesources to keep them squeaky for as long as possible.

How should you store cheese curds?

For the rare occasion when you don’t eat all your cheese curds the dayyou get them, you can store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator.This will keep your curds fresh for around a week, although we recommendenjoying them when they’re as fresh as possible. If you are looking forlonger-term storage options, try freezing your cheese curds. You can keep unopenedbags and containers of cheese curds in your freezer for up to four months. Justlet them thaw in the fridge for a day or two before enjoying. For more cheesestorage tips, read our full guide that breaks down everything you need to know.

What is the difference between cheese and cheese curds?

In a nutshell, cheese curds are just young cheddar.Cheese curds are created early in the cheesemaking process where cheesemakers combinemilk, rennet, and a starter to separate solid curds from the liquid whey.Rather than pressing these cheese curds into large blocks for processing andaging, cheesemakers simply end the process here—giving us the adorable,bite-size cheese curds we know and love.

Our favorite Wisconsin Cheese Curd recipes

Squeak on, Friends!

We know what you’re thinking: it’s time to buy somecheese curds and have a cheese tasting. Have cheese and cheese gift baskets deliveredright to your door with our continuously updated list of cheesemakers andretailers that allow you to ordercheese online. Award-winning Wisconsin Cheese is just a click away.

Craving something else? Choose from our selection of over 400 recipesfeaturing Wisconsin Cheese.Don’t forget to share your creative cheesy creations with us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Why Do Cheese Curds Squeak? | Wisconsin Cheese (2024)

What Are Cheese Curds?

The science behind the squeak