Why do cheese curds squeak?

When cheese curds squeak, it’s a sign of freshness. Making cheese requires skillful preparation of taking fresh milk, ripening it, adding culture, allowing the curds to set, cook, drain, undergo a cheddaring process, be milled, salted, and finally, enjoyed!

Cheese curds are an essential product of the cheesemaking process. Before cheeses like cheddar are formed into blocks or wedges and aged, they start out as curds. Fresh cheese curds squeak and have a slightly rubbery texture.

So what makes cheese curds squeak when you eat them? The elastic protein strands in the curds rub against the enamel of your teeth and create that infamous squeak. That squeak you hear and feel when you eat is a sign of freshness. After a few days, under proper refrigeration, curds will begin to lose their squeak. You can restore the elasticity in the protein strands of the curd, which will restore the squeak, with just a few seconds in the microwave.

Of course, the best time to eat a cheese curd is right after they’re made. This is why we always announce when we’re making fresh cheese curds – so you can stop in and get them at their best! We make fresh cheese curds at least once a week here at the creamery, so keep an eye on our Facebook page to know when we have freshly made cheese curds available.