INSIDER’S GUIDE
A Guide to the Best Cheesecurds in the Area
Technically speaking, cheese curds are small pieces of curdled milk with a mild, cheddar-like flavor. They are literally freshly made curds of cheese. But we think the folks over at Wisconsin Cheese say it best, “these tiny morsels of squeaky goodness are the freshest of fresh cheese- let them sit for 24-hours, and ‘poof’- the magic and the squeak is gone.”
Find them in their natural state at farmers markets, cheese markets, and even in most = grocery stores in the area.
Wisconsin Pro Tip: do NOT take them from the refrigerated case. Instead, look for a display out at room temperature (I know, but don’t freak out). They come in a variety of flavors, but we still like plain best. Ask any of our amazing local cheese shops and grocers to open a bag for a delicious sample of Wisconsin history!
Our top 3 places to find Fresh Curds?
- Harmony Specialty Dairy at the Brookfield Farmers Market
- The Village Cheese Shop in Wauwatosa
- All Sendik’s locations
It Doesn’t Stop There!
Oh, we’re not done yet… Batter ‘em, deep fry ‘em, and they become chewy, stretchy little morsels of goodness – hot, salty, and the perfect beginning to your meal. We suggest a side of ranch for dipping because we are fancy like that.
Our favorite Deep Fried Cheese Curds?
- Any service club at any outdoor event like the Optimists, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus…pick the one that speaks to you.
- Oscar’s Frozen Custard
- Kopps Frozen Custard
- Culver’s
You won’t find anything like it anywhere. Humble in its beginnings, pure in flavor, happy to sit on your counter waiting to squeak.
“Rock on, baby cheese” say the folks at Wisconsin Cheese. Yes, rock on, indeed.
Brush Up On Your Cheese Curd Trivia!
Wisconsin’s Cheesy Facts:
- Our cheesemaking heritage goes back 180 years.
- We are the only state that requires cheesemakers to have a license.
- There are over 1,200 licensed cheesemakers in Wisconsin who produce more than 600 types of cheeses.
- We are the only place in the world besides Switzerland with a Master Cheesemaker program.
- Wisconsin produces the most flavors, styles, and variety of cheese in the world.
- We won 117 awards at the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest: 34 “Best of Class” awards, 36 seconds, 41 thirds, and more than 36% of the total cow’s milk cheese awards.
- Our cheese can be found in 99% of grocery retailers nationwide. (We won’t even talk about the other 1%.)
- Cheeses from Henning’s in Kiel, WI, and Schuman in Turtle Lake, WI made the list of top 20 cheeses in the world for 2024.
