There’s a reason why Wisconsin is called “America’s Dairyland”, and that’s because this state is one of the biggest producers of cheese in the United States aside from California. In fact, there are over 600 varieties of cheese in this region and they also pair it with other dishes to come up with unusual food combinations, like apple pie and slices of aged cheddar for instance.
The thing is there are many reasons why cheese is the most famous Wisconsin food. And we’ll go through the details from the scientific facts to the “cheesy” ideas about this tangy, sharp, and undoubtedly tasty milk product in today’s article.
A Late Bloomer
Wisconsin may be a top cheese producer in the country, but the state did not start processing cheese until the 1800s. Now that’s considered late compared to its Egyptian and European counterparts who were the first to produce cheese 4,000 years ago.
Nonetheless, the timing was perfect for cheese was already considered as a primary commodity at that time when it was unwittingly introduced to the “American Consciousness” by Thomas Jefferson.
The Scientific Process Of Making Cheese
Today, the basic process of making cheese has changed a little, though cheesemakers don’t store milk from hollowed-out stomachs of cows anymore like the ancient times. Cheese is made from milk, but it comes in a variety of other types as well. All cheeses have fat in them and this is what makes them curdled.
The first step is to make the milk curdle by adding rennet and then proceed to the other steps which are fermenting, adding flavors, and etc. Rennet is an enzyme that is normally found in the 4th stomach of young cows, though mostly cheese manufacturers now use synthetic rennet to curdle milk.
And while adding rennet is the most popular “starting agent” for making cheese, milk can also be curdled using various plant extracts and lactic acid.
Most, If Not, All Restaurants In Wisconsin Have Items In Their Menus With Cheese
These days, it’s almost impossible to find a restaurant in the Badger State that doesn’t offer dishes with cheese. That’s very unusual. In fact, if you check out the smallest food spots in Milwaukee to the top restaurants in Waukesha, WI you will certainly find an appetizer, main course, or dessert with cheese in it.
Cheese Curds
A Wisconsin staple, cheese curds is a type of snack made from fresh cheddar. And it can be eaten as is, top it in a pasta dish, or fried with buttermilk or beer batter. There’s just no wrong way of eating cheese curds.
The Cheese Festival
While the process of making cheese is an art in itself, Wisconsinites treat cheese as a sacred food. In fact, a Great Cheese Festival is held in this state at the start of summer which features impressive activities like a parade, music, free cheese tasting, food, and cheese carving.
Moreover, you can also find a lot of cheesy souvenirs during this month-long celebration.
If you’re looking for a place that serves authentic Wisconsin food, you can check out Tofte’s Table restaurant in Waukesha, WI.