If you grew up in the Midwest, you probably heard the term “squeaky cheese” long before you had any idea why it squeaked. Around here, cheese curds aren’t just a random snack, they’re practically a cultural experience. And yes, that glorious squeak between your teeth is all a part of the fun. It’s a sound that tells you what you’re tasting is fresh, local and crafted with care. While the squeak gets much of the hype, there’s a bigger story behind every bag of Ellsworth Cheese Curds, and we’re here to share that story too.
What makes curds squeak?
But first, we want to answer the age old question, When are cheese curds the squeakiest? The answer is simple: right after they’re made. Cheese curds are squeaky because of the fresh casein (the main protein in milk) and calcium that rubs against the enamel of your teeth, causing the high-pitch squeaky sound we’ve all come to love and enjoy. It’s a tiny moment of joy that only happens when the cheese is very fresh, typically lasting 1-3 days before the calcium-protein bonds start to break down.
That’s why the squeakiest curds you’ll ever hunt down are the ones you get directly off the line at our Ellsworth store. Every morning around 11am, you can walk in and pick up curds that came off the line hours ago, often still warm, shockingly fresh, and bursting with that iconic squeak. If you’re on a mission to “chase the squeak,” (like we are) there’s no better place to start than right here in the Cheese Curd Capital.
Bring back the squeak. Is it possible??
If you’re eating your curds several days after purchasing from a retail store, you might notice the squeak has mellowed out a bit. But don’t worry, it does not mean that the quality is gone. The curds just need a little bit of warmth to wake them back up.
Pop them in a microwave for 4-6 seconds.
Not long enough to melt them, just enough to soften the proteins again.
It’s a simple trick to breathe some squeak back into your curds.
Squeak or no squeak, quality comes first
Here’s the truth: the squeak is amazing… but it’s not the only sign of great cheese. Even after the squeak fades, our curds are still made from incredibly high-quality milk, and are a good source of calcium and protein for a wholesome snack from our local farmers. They’re crafted with quality ingredients, handled with care, and produced by teams who take a whole lot of pride in every part of the process.
So yes, chase the squeak. Celebrate it. Enjoy it. Chase it! But also know that every bite – squeaky or not – is nutritious, flavorful, and crafted to our exceptionally high standard. Squeak is a moment (to be chased!) Quality is the constant.
The Ellsworth Way
Ok, now back to the bigger story behind the curd (and the squeak). Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is an entire community working together to create something truly exceptional. Farmers who work tirelessly to provide the highest quality milk, milk haulers who face some of the wildest weather to deliver that milk to the creamery, cheesemakers who know this craft like it’s second nature, and teams across the cooperative who work in the plant, packaging, marketing, sales and more who are passionate about bringing this product to life for our customers. That is a story worth being a part of! All of us championing the idea that Cheese Brings People Together.
We like to think of our cheese the way people talk about travel: it’s not about where you go – it’s about who you go with. Cheese curds are best shared with people you love, whether you’re tailgating, road-tripping, hosting friends, or introducing someone to squeaky cheese for the very first time, Ellsworth Cheese is crafted for connection. And the same level of connection that is required to bring our cheese to life is carried all the way to the people who enjoy it. And when you bite into that perfect, squeaky curd fresh off the line… well, that’s just the cherry on top.
Our Invitation: Chase The Squeak
Get the freshest curds at either of our stores in Ellsworth everyday and in Menomonie Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only. Bring home a few bags to share with people you love. And when the squeak fades, revive it with those 4-6 seconds in the microwave. Make the squeak part of the ritual, but let the quality, the protein, the flavor, and the story behind the curds be the reason you keep coming back. Because at Ellsworth, the squeak is a great start, but not the end of the story.
#chasethesqueak
