When you typically think about Cheese Curds, you don’t think about their presence in Australian restaurants. So, how do you know that what you’re eating is the real deal?
Freshness is the first rule of cheese curds.
This might sound rather strange, but the cheese we eat is typically not exactly new & fresh. Cheese is sometimes categorised and valued based on its ageing characteristics. A cheese’s flavour and texture can be greatly enhanced by ageing. Cheese curds, however, should be fresh. The most internationally recognised Cheese Curds are made directly within Wisconsin. If you’re sourcing yours from elsewhere, they are potentially a lower quality product. That is why Pure Dairy source their Cheese Curds directly from the source.
So how do you know if Cheese Curds are fresh? Just take a bite. Their iconic squeaky texture is synonymous with fresh. High quality cheese curds have a distinctive squeak caused by protein strands rubbing against the human tooth’s enamel. A curd’s squeak normally disipates within three or four days after it is aged because enzymes released by the cheese cultures and coagulants break down proteins and other milk components. That is why Pure Dairy’s Cheese Curds are IQF, Instantly Quick Frozen. This maintains the freshness until you’re ready to use them.
The texture of fresh curds is characteristically bouncy. In the cheddar-making process, microorganisms are added to fresh milk to produce its flavour. From this process, it is necessary to add rennet, an enzyme that helps keep milk proteins together for the formation of solid curds and liquid whey. A light press is then used to remove any remaining moisture from the curds after they have been taken out of the whey. A traditional “curd” shape is then sliced back into and salt is applied, and voila! This delicacy is now ready to be enjoyed!
However, if you just miss that squeak, you can restore it! Sometimes microwaving the curds for a few seconds will make bring back that much wanted squeak prior to serving.
Cheese Curds – What Are They Like?
A cheese curd has a rubbery, squeaky yet moist texture. It has a mild, salty flavour that come in white, yellow, or orange, depending on the type of cheese and cow’s diet.
Curds are the baby cheddars.
Cheese curds aren’t special kinds of cheese. Basically, it’s a younger cheddar form without any ageing. As part of the cheesemaking process, the curds are separated from the whey, sliced and bagged rather than being moulded into a cheese wheel.
Old Cheese Curds may still be useable.
In case your curds don’t get consumed within a few days of defrosting, all is not lost. Any cheese curds that are packaged over a week old that is vacuum-sealed or gas flushed, is just plain cheese. Despite their age, older cheese curds can still be used in salads, poutines, eggs, and breaded and deep-fried. Frozen Curds once thawed, can break down more quickly. As soon as they are thawed, they are near new. In contrast, if they are breaded fresh – tempura, cornmeal, seasoned flour, pancake batter, etc. – and frozen quickly, they can become chewy & stringy.
Where can you buy Cheese Curds in Australia?
The consumption of raw cheeses in Australia was once prohibited. There are no longer any restrictions on this, which is great news for cheese lovers and producers. Where is the best place to find cheese curds in Australia? The answer is with Pure Dairy .
Regardless of where you are in Australia, Pure Dairy sells cheese curds via wholesale foodservice distributors, sourced directly from Wisconsin. Each Pure Dairy Cheese Curd is individually fast frozen to maintain its flavour, texture, nutritional contents, and squeak. End-users can better control portion sizes and reduce waste with Pure Dairy cheese curds’ storage and freezing technique, with 210 days worth of storage. Get in touch with Pure Dairy’s head office today to enquire about your next Cheese Curds order.