National Cheese Curd Day
Observed
annually on October 15th (since 2015)
Dates
Founded by
Culver's in August 2015
Tags
Food & Drink
Snacks & Desserts
Hashtags
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese_curd
https://www.culvers.com/stories/food-cravings/culvers-10-tasty-facts-for-national-cheese-curd-day-
https://www.dairybusiness.com/heard-about-the-curd-national-cheese-curd-day-oct-15/
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/culvers-celebrates-a-guest-favorite-on-national-cheese-curd-day-300938188.html
https://www.streetdirectory.com/food_editorials/snacks/cheese/facts_on_cheese_curds.html
National Cheese Curd Day was created by Culver's, a fast-food restaurant that started in Wisconsin that is located mainly in the Midwest, that as of 2020 has restaurants in 25 states. One of their most popular menu items, their cheese curds, are made with white and yellow Cheddar cheese. The fresh cheese curds—which they source from LaGrander's Hillside Dairy in Stanley, Wisconsin—are breaded with their signature blend of herbs and spices and then deep-fried. Culver's sold over 17.7 million orders of cheese curds in 2015, and over 28 million orders in 2018. During the month of October, when they hold National Cheese Curd Day, they offer chances for people to win cheese curds and other prizes. They've even given away a year's supply of cheese curds as their grand prize.
Cheese curds are popular in the Midwest, particularly in Wisconsin. They also are common in Quebec, Canada. Cheese curds are fresh, made by separating the curd from whey during the cheese-making process. Instead of going through the whole process, where a block of cheese is made, a solid curd of cheese with a milky flavor is formed. Cheese curds are mainly made of young Cheddar, either white or yellow, although some are made from mozzarella, Muenster, Colby, or Monterey Jack cheese. Fresh cheese curds are moist and rubberlike and will squeak when eaten when their elastic protein strands rub against tooth enamel. They begin losing their squeakiness after 12 hours and are no longer considered fresh about two days after being made. They are rather mild in flavor with a bit of saltiness and are often flavored with dill, garlic, spicy Cajun, taco seasoning, ranch, or jalapeno.
Cheese curds are commonly eaten as a snack or appetizer. Not only can they be eaten fresh, but they can be deep-fried, after being covered with a breading or batter—sometimes a beer batter. They are often then dipped in marinara sauce, ketchup, or ranch dressing. Deep-fried cheese curds are popular at state fairs, carnivals, and bars. They are also common at some fast-food restaurants, Culvers and A&W being two that offer them. Cheese curds are also used to make poutine. No matter if you eat deep-fried cheese curds at Culver's today, or enjoy them somewhere else or made in another manner, you are sure to find National Cheese Curd Day most enjoyable!
How to Observe National Cheese Curd Day
Some ways to observe National Cheese Curd Day include:
- Pick up some cheese curds at Culver's. Watch their social media accounts for chances to win cheese curds and other swag.
- Have some cheese curds at another restaurant, at a bar, or at a carnival or fair.
- Pick up some fresh cheese curds at a store or shop, or make your own.
- Make your own deep-fried cheese curds.
- Plan a trip to the next Cheese Curd Festival.