What Is String Cheese?

String cheese is cheese that pulls off in strips, as opposed to breaking or crumbling typical of most cheeses. String cheese is most commonly sold as a snack item in the U.S., and it is especially popular with children. In other nations, such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East, braided cheese and string cheese are traditional products that are used in many ways.

How String Cheese Is Made

Typically, when cheeses are made, an acid is added to milk, and then rennet is added that causes curds to form in the milk. The curds are separated from the whey, the liquid that remains. Then the curds are shaped into blocks, stacked, and pressed. The curds undergo assorted processes dependent upon the type of cheese being produced.

The process for making string cheese is the same as with regular cheeses until the curds are formed. After allowing the curds to rest, they are placed in a vat of hot water or whey. Once they begin to float, the excess liquid is drained. The curds are then mixed together and kneaded until they become elastic. The pieces of the large strand of cheese are then separated into smaller chunks; each chunk will pull apart in strips or strings.

Types of String Cheese

Most string cheese sold in U.S. grocery stores is made from mozzarella cheese or a combination of mozzarella with another cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack. Just as with many packaged cheeses, they are available in regular or part-skim milk varieties. They are usually packaged as small, cylindrical sticks and are used primarily for snacking. In specialty shops, you may be able to find string cheese produced in other countries as well.

Armenian String Cheese

Armenian string cheese is a handmade, braided cheese produced from sheep’s milk. When purchased from a shop, it is usually soaking in saltwater brine. The salt is rinsed from the cheese before using it; the amount of salt you leave in the cheese is dependent upon your personal tastes. Armenian string cheese can be used in dishes, as salad topping, or to just eat as a snack. Some Armenian string cheese is flavored, including cumin and mahleb.

Slovakian String Cheese

In Slovakia, a type of string cheese called Korbáčiky is made into small braids, or whips. The cheese is produced from sheep’s milk. It comes in its natural, slightly salty state, but it can also be smoked. Other varieties use flavor enhancers, such as garlic. This is a traditional cheese in this region, and it has many uses in cooking, such as in dish preparation, on salads, or pulled apart and eaten plain.

Queso Oaxaca

This Mexican string cheese originates from southern Mexico. It is produced from cow’s milk. The taste is similar to Monterey Jack, but it has the elasticity of mozzarella. It is typically sold in a ball, from which strands can be used for cooking dishes such as empanadas and quesadillas. It can also be used as a topping or eaten as a snack.