Cheese Curds
Caring for Curds | How Long Do Cheese Curds Last and More
Mar
Have you just got your hands on a bag of fresh, delicious cheese curds? Whether you picked them up at your local grocery store or just got an exciting package, cheese curds are best when eaten as fresh as possible. But what if you don’t immediately eat your curds? How long do cheese curds last if you don’t eat them fresh?
Uneaten cheese curds don’t usually pose much of a problem. Cheese curds aren’t just something that Wisconsin-ers are obsessed with. Whether eaten straight out of the bag in all their squeaky glory or if they are deep-fried and dipped in a tangy aioli, their flavor has us all hooked.
Most cheese curds don’t make it from the grocery store out to the car without being consumed. They’re just so good that you have to dig in as soon as you buy them. However, maybe you bought multiple bags or want to save those curds for a special treat.
How long do cheese curds last? How do you care for cheese curds that are left uneaten? These may be questions you never thought you’d ask because you always consume your cheese curds within minutes. These questions need answers, though! That’s why we’re here! Keep reading to learn all you need to know about caring for cheese curds.
How Long Do Cheese Curds Last?
The answer to this question depends significantly on how you store your cheese curds. Cheese curds are best when eaten fresh. It’s a commonly acknowledged fact that cheese curds should be eaten as soon as they’re made. This isn’t always possible, though. Cheese curds can last up to 3 weeks or more, depending on how you store them.
Cheese curds are best when eaten within 3 days of being made. This doesn’t mean that after 3 days, they’re no longer suitable and safe to eat. It means that that iconic cheese curd squeak might be lost, and you’ll be left with regular cheese. Cheese curds still taste amazing, even if they don’t squeak.
Refrigerating cheese curds keeps them good for up to 3 weeks. The same rule of thumb you use for storing other types of cheese goes for cheese curds. Freezing cheese curds can make them last up to 4 months. We’ll cover that topic in a bit!
The question “How long do cheese curds last?” can be answered quickly: Eat your cheese curds immediately for the best bite. Store them in the refrigerator if they stick around for over a day. You’ll be preserving your cheese curds, but unfortunately, this preservation will make the iconic squeak disappear. If you don’t want to use your cheese curds for a few weeks or months, pop them in the freezer.
How to Tell if Cheese Curds Are Fresh
The best way to tell if a cheese curd is fresh is to take a bite. If the cheese curd squeaks against your teeth, your curd is fresh! If the squeak has disappeared, it doesn’t mean your curds are destined for the trash can. You’ll enjoy the flavor of cheese curds without being distracted by the cute little squeak.
When you’re buying cheese curds, make sure you check the date that the curds were made. Try buying a package of curds made either the same day or a few days before. This may only be possible for some grocery stores. Many cheese stores make, package, and sell their cheese curds on the same day. Cheesemakers understand the novelty of fresh cheese curd, and they want to do all they can so you can enjoy it!
How Long Do Cheese Curds Last with a Squeak?
So, how long does that squeak stick around? Usually, cheese curds squeak for around 3 days. The exact time depends on how the cheese curds are made and stored. The squeak will last longer if cheese curds are made with less rennet or lower acid levels.
Cheese curds start their life with a tightly knit protein structure bound together with calcium. The squeak of cheese curds comes from your teeth compressing the firm protein structure of the curds. This causes a vibration that makes the iconic squeak. However, this squeak isn’t a permanent feature of cheese curds. It’s a fleeting few-day phenomenon.
As cheese curds age, the calcium bonds are broken down due to the acid that is found in cheese. The more cheese curds age, the more calcium disappears, and the less chance of squeaking there is.
How Long Do Cheese Curds Last When Frozen?
Are you wondering if you can freeze cheese curds to make them last longer? Cheese curds can definitely be frozen! In fact, freezing cheese curds is a great way to keep them “fresh” for future use. You can freeze your cheese curds in the unopened package you bought them in, or you can put them in an airtight container for freezing.Â
Your frozen cheese curds will be good for up to four months. When you’re ready to eat them, let them thaw out in the refrigerator. Then you can enjoy them just as if they are fresh and straight from the cheese-making vat!
How Long Do Cheese Curds Last Unrefrigerated?
Most cheese fanatics believe that cheese is at its best when it’s room temperature or even a little warm. This is believed to enhance the flavor of cheese and improve the texture. Cheese curds are no exception to this rule. But how long do cheese curds last when they are not refrigerated? Is it safe to leave them sitting out?
When you buy cheese curds, should you refrigerate them to make them last longer or leave them out of the fridge so you can eat them at room temperature? If you’re planning on eating your cheese curds within twenty-four hours, you’re perfectly fine to leave them at room temperature. If you manage to exhibit enough self-control to make your cheese curds last a few days, store them in the refrigerator.
Cheese curds should only be left out for only 24 hours after they are made. After a day of life, cheese curds should be kept in the refrigerator for the good of all involved.
If you prefer your cheese curds at room temperature, don’t worry! Just take the curds out of the refrigerator a while before you want to eat them, and allow them to come up to room temperature. If you’re in a hurry, you can pop them in the microwave to heat them a little bit. Just watch them closely, and don’t overheat them!
How to Reheat Cheese Curds
Are you wondering how to use those frozen cheese curds in your freezer? Or you may have a stash of cheese curds in your freezer that you want to restore to their fresh deliciousness. Or maybe you made some deep-fried cheese curds last night, and they somehow didn’t get eaten up. There are a variety of methods for heating cheese curds. Let’s break it down.
Get Back the Squeak
Most importantly, is it possible to get back that squeak that you find in fresh cheese curds? Once cheese curds are refrigerated or frozen, is all hope of a squeaky cheese curd gone?
This is a bit of a debated topic. Most people agree that a very short time in the microwave will bring back the squeak. The heat is thought to re-bond the protein structure that has deteriorated and brings back the squeak. With the microwave method, you need to be very careful how long the cheese curds are heated. Only 3-5 seconds is necessary for getting the squeak back to cheese curds. Anything longer than that will risk your curds turning into a melty glob of cheese.
If your cheese curds are still in a sealed package, you can immerse the whole container in hot water to heat them. Get the water from your kitchen sink as hot as you can, and cover your sealed package of curds with the hot water. Let them sit in the hot water for a few minutes, and then enjoy! This is a great way to bring cold cheese curds to room temperature for optimum enjoyment.
Reheating Deep-fried Cheese Curds
How do you reheat deep-fried cheese curds? In the unlikely event that you have leftover fried cheese curds, you don’t want them to go to waste. A popular choice is reheating cheese curds in an air fryer.
For this, simply put them in your air fryer basket and reheat them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This will take about 5-8 minutes. You can also reheat cheese curds in your oven. Set the temperature at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and reheat for 5-8 minutes.
Where You Can Buy Cheese Curds
Now that you know all about how to care for your cheese curds and we’ve answered the question, “How long do cheese curds last?” it’s time you get your hands on some. If you have a local cheesemaker, then you are in business! Some grocery stores carry cheese curds. If you’re in certain cheese-loving states, your grocery store will surely carry these little morsels of cheesy goodness.Â
If you can’t find any fresh cheese curds around your area, don’t fear! September Farm Cheese ships fresh cheese curds straight to your door. You can buy our cheese curds online or in our store. We are passionate about producing delicious and top-quality cheese. Most of our orders arrive between 3-6 days, which gives you the perfect window of opportunity to enjoy those squeaky curds.
We make our cheese curds with a variety of different flavor options. This lets you explore new flavor combinations and find your dream cheese.
We’d love it if you could visit us at our store! You can find all our cheese products there. Watch us make the cheese, and try fried cheese curds from our sandwich shop! If you can’t make it to our location in Pennsylvania, you can still enjoy our cheese curds. Check out some of the flavors we ship all over the United States!
Buy Cheese Curds in our Online Store
