News • Wisconsin Dells •
Wisconsin •
United States •
2014-05-31
WISCONSIN CHEESE
To know Wisconsin is to know its cheese. As the nation’s top cheese producer, Wisconsin is home
to classics such as Cheddar and Colby, and also is American’s leader in specialty and artisan
cheesemaking. In fact, Wisconsin boasts the fi rst and only advanced training certifi cation for
cheesemakers – the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker – and we put that expertise to use making the
best artisanal cheese in the nation, reaping more awards than any other state.
MORE CHEESE, PLEASE
As one might expect for a state known for
originality, there is no shortage of creativity
among Wisconsin’s cheesemakers. Some 60
cheesemakers are currently producing
more than 600 different types of cheese,
including hundreds of complex, one-of-a-kind
artisanal, farmstead and organic varieties
made by hand in small batches. But lest you
get overwhelmed keeping track of all of this
glorious cheese, they all fall into a handful
of delicious categories:
• Blue cheese has characteristic blue or green
streaks of fl avor-producing (and harmless)
mold throughout the interior. This veining
typically gives blue cheese an assertive and
piquant fl avor.
• Hard cheeses are well-aged, easily grated
and primarily used in cooking. Examples
include Parmesan, Romano and Asiago.
• Pasta Filata cheeses have curds that are
heated and stretched or kneaded before
being molded into shape. The cheese
stretches when melted – think of mozzarella,
provolone and string.
• Processed cheeses are a blend of fresh
and aged natural cheeses that have been
shredded, mixed and heated with an
addition of an emulsifi er salt, after which no
further ripening occurs.
• Semi-hard cheese is just what it sounds
like. Examples include classic cheeses like
Cheddar, colby, Edam and Gouda.
• Semi-soft cheeses are made with whole milk
and melt well when cooked. These grilledcheese
ready cheeses include brick,
Muenster, fontina and havarti.
• Soft and fresh cheeses have a high moisture
content and lactic acid cultures. This
category includes cheeses like cottage
cheese, cream cheese, feta, mascarpone,
ricotta and queso blanco.
• Soft ripened cheeses are named for their
soft body and include Brie and Camembert.
• Cheese Curds. Yellow or white, fried or fresh,
seasoned or plain, but always a tasty treat.
Wisconsin cheese curds are usually made
from fresh cheddar, mozzarella, or Colby,
and yes, they really do squeak when you
eat them! We like cheese-curds so much,
Ellsworth even has a fun and food-fi lled
weekend to celebrate them, every year
in June the town celebrates Ellsworth
Cheese Curd Festival.
FARM & FACTORY TOURS
Just as the oenophile heads to Napa Valley
for their grand wine tour, the compass for
the artisan cheese enthusiast points directly
to Wisconsin where its long list of master
cheesemakers are passionate about their
goods and share them proudly. Wherever
you fi nd yourself in Wisconsin, chances are
you are within a short drive of one of
these tours:
• Emmi Roth Käse USA, Monroe – Self-guided
tours are available, and a viewing hall
allows you to observe the cheesemaking
process. Best times to catch some action
in the viewing hall are weekdays from
9 am – 1 pm.
• Carr Valley Cheese Factory, La Valle –
The La Valle factory and retail store is open
Monday – Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm, but
the staff at Carr Valley recommends visitors
come early for the best show.
• Widmer’s Cheese Cellars, Theresa – Open
during the week, Widner’s Cheese Cellars
features a guided tour Monday – Friday
starting at 9:30 am. Please call in advance
to make a reservation.
• Union Star Cheese Factory, Fremont – Union
Star Cheese Factory offers tours of its
facility every morning except Sundays. The
tour includes pit stops at pivotal steps in the
cheesemaking process, and a cheese tasting
at the end.
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