How are Cheddar Cheese Curds Made?

Have you ever wondered how cheddar cheese curds are made? There are a lot of different steps that go into making this delicious cheese product and if you’ve eaten it you’ll appreciate the time that goes into making the perfect cheese curds. Let’s take the time to take a closer look at how cheddar cheese curds are made.

Making Sure the Ingredients are of Quality

So, there is a very technical process that goes into making cheese curds, and to get the perfect cheese curd, it needs to be followed. First, you have to be sure that you are using quality milk to get the best cheese curds. To get just one pound of cheese you are going to need about ten pounds of milk. For a professional plant that makes cheese and cheese curds, the milk must be tested to be sure that it meets quality and purity standards. Once everything has passed the testing, the milk must be standardized, where it is weighed in and pasteurized so that it is safe and everything it goes into has a uniform product.

Making the Cheddar Cheese Curds

Once everything has been determined to be safe and uniformed, now it is time to make the cheese curds. To get the cheddar flavor, a starter culture is added to the milk and that will determine what flavor and what texture the cheese curds will have. From there, the coagulant is added which is rennet, which will create custard and is now the first step in making the curds. Once the product begins to firm up, the curds must be separated from the whey and this is done through a process called cutting. Now, the curds and the whey are cooked and stirred with a heat process until the curd gets to the temperature and firmness that is needed to meet standards or fits the requirements of the person that is making them. From there, the whey must be drained off which leaves the curd behind. To get the curd cut into the pieces that people are used to and purchase to eat, it simply needs to be cut up.

Making cheddar cheese curds isn’t as hard as you think, and with the great taste that comes with them, it’s time to either head out to buy a batch. You will be able to appreciate how they were made! Or, you can make your own; it’s really not that hard!