Factory Fresh: What goes into #ReleasingTheCurds
Over the years, we’ve heard countless stories of curd-lovers driving for hours to the Tillamook Cheese Factory just to get their Squeaky Cheese Curds. Because of the short shelf life and to maintain the freshness and quality of Tillamook Cheese Curds, they are normally sold exclusively at the Cheese Factory in Tillamook, Oregon… but if you’re a curd-lover, we’ve got great news!
In honor of our 104th birthday, we’re releasing the curds on February 13 for one day only! There will be a limited supply of Squeaky Cheese Curds for sale on our Online Shop! Squeaky Cheese Curd Day will benefit the Oregon Food Bank in supporting hunger relief. Click here to learn more!
This is so exciting! But why can’t Tillamook ship cheese curds every day?
Squeaky Cheese Curds are extremely perishable, and start to lose their “squeak” after just a few days. Because of this, cheese curds require overnight shipping very quickly after they are made, which we cannot facilitate on a daily basis. To make sure curd-lovers around the country are able to get fresh curds to celebrate Squeaky Cheese Day, the Tillamook marketing team will actually be taking several days away from their regular jobs to personally hand-pack and ship your order from the Tillamook Cheese Factory. We wish we could spread cheese curd joy all the time, but for now, you can satisfy year-long cravings for cheese curds by visiting the Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook, OR.
What is a cheese curd?
Cheese curds are created at the very beginning of the cheddaring process, when small pieces of cheddar cheese separate from the liquid whey naturally found in milk. These “curds” are usually then pressed together to form 40 lbs. blocks of our cheddars that will go on to naturally age for up to three years. However, we do save a small amount of the fresh curds to be sold at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. They taste mild and salty, and when they’re really fresh they make a slight “squeak” noise when you eat them! Try them for yourself on Squeaky Cheese Day!
What makes a cheese curd “squeaky”?
The squeak you might hear when you munch on cheese curds comes from the protein composition of fresh curds. When the protein in the cheese rubs against the enamel of your teeth it makes a “squeaky” sound. As cheddar ages, more moisture is released in the form of whey, and the protein in the cheese consolidates. Here at Tillamook, this consolidation is how cheese curds turn into Baby Loafs! That’s why our other cheddars (and curds older than a few days) don’t squeak! The cheese is still delicious to eat after it has stopped squeaking, but the squeak effect will be gone forever for that little curd.
Find out how you can get your squeaky cheese fix!
Get cooking with our Top 5 Cheese Curd recipes here!
P.S. You can follow the conversation about Squeaky Cheese Day with #ReleaseTheCurds on Twitter!
February 7th, 2013 at 8:17 pm
I visited the Tillamook Cheese Factory when I was about 10 years old. I remember watching the curds and whey being stirred in giant stainless steel troughs. I also remember that the forest on the way to Tillamook Oregon had been victim of a devastating fire. My Grandmother told me that my father had planted replacement trees in the forest with his school class. I have three different Tillamook cheeses in my fridge right now. I am a loyal customer for good reason. Have you tasted your competitors?
February 8th, 2013 at 8:25 am
Where in Northern AZ can I purchase these? Thanks! Mat
February 8th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Hi Susan!
Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing your memory of visiting the Cheese Factory as a child! I’m so pleased to hear your father took time to help restore the forest! Thank you so much for being such a wonderful loyal fan.
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 8th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
Hi Mat,
Tillamook Cheese Curds are only available at the Tillamook Cheese Factory in Oregon…with one exception! On February 13th, for one day only, you can buy cheese curds in the Online Shop and we’ll ship them to you! It’s our way of celebrating Tillamook’s 104th Birthday and benefit for the Oregon Food Bank!
You can learn more about this special day here: http://www.tillamook.com/campaigns/squeakycheeseday
I hope that answers your question!
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 8th, 2013 at 5:21 pm
I am lucky enough to live in Portland and am able to go to Tillamook whenever I like.. The squeaky cheese is worth the trip!
February 8th, 2013 at 9:17 pm
What will the total price and shipping be?
February 9th, 2013 at 1:01 am
My friend lives in Mexico, near Cancun. She misses TC and curds so much. Is this special day available for her too?
February 9th, 2013 at 4:58 pm
How much are these cheese curds? I so love these .
February 10th, 2013 at 3:50 am
My husband & I stopped at the Tillamook factory at the end of one of our motorcycle trips. We came up the coast from Santa Monica Pier (on the road for 2 weeks). We took the tour and ate some sample, and in general had a great time. We had always loved Tillamook , but with our visit, we love it even more.
February 11th, 2013 at 11:21 am
Hi Rhonda,
Thanks for the comment! I’m so happy to hear you’re a Squeaky Cheese Curd fan! Have you heard this silly rap yet!? http://bit.ly/ZiiQBX
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 11th, 2013 at 11:24 am
Hi Patti,
You’ll have to stay tuned for the shop to go live on Wednesday for those details!
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 11th, 2013 at 11:25 am
Hi Michelle,
Unfortunately, the Online Shop can only ship within the United States.
Thanks for your understanding.
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 11th, 2013 at 11:26 am
Hi Sylvia,
You’ll have to wait until the Online Shop launches Tillamook Cheese Curds on Wednesday morning to find out!
Thanks for your patience!
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 11th, 2013 at 11:34 am
Hi Caroline,
Thank you for sharing your story with us! That sounds like an amazing trip up the coast by motorcycle – I’m jealous!
I’m so pleased to hear the Tillamook Cheese Factory was a part of your adventure!
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 11th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
My family always loves to stop there. Last summer my mom and I stayed a few days on the north coast and had to make your factory a destination. Everyone who likes cheese should shop and witness the love, care, time the employees contribute and watch the process the products go thru to ‘become’ cheese. It is informative learning with a fun aspect.
Thank you for making such great products to bring to our tables and mouths :)
February 11th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Hi Pam,
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m so happy to hear you’ve had such wonderful experiences visiting the Tillamook Cheese Factory! Fans like you are the reason we love working for Tillamook!
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 12th, 2013 at 10:29 am
Oh. I am so excited. I just worry that I won’t remember to go on line and order mine in time!
What time do you go online?
February 12th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
I grew up on Tillamook Cheese. I remember trips to the factory being the highlight of every trip to the coast. I found the cheese here in Little Rock, AR. Got my wife so hooked on it, she wants to go to the factory for our honeymoon.
We have Colby Jack, and Medium Cheddar in the fridge right now, and doing Toasted Cheese for dinner tonight.
Thanks for 43 years of happy cheesey smiles from me to you!
February 12th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
I was wondering what time does the sale start and what time zone will that begin? How much will each bag cost? How long will it take to ship to Indiana? My wife and I took a trip back in April 2012 before I retired from the Navy. I was stationed up on Whidbey Island, WA. The factory tour and cheese samples were awesome!! I wish we lived closer.
February 12th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
Hi Denise,
The Online Shop will be ready to accept orders early tomorrow morning! Check back in first thing to place your order!
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 12th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Hi Matt,
Thank you so much for your comment! I absolutely love to hear that you’re converting Tillamook fans all the way down in Arkansas! I hope you guys will be able to visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory sometime soon!
Here’s to many more cheese filled years to come!
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 12th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
Hi Patrick,
I’m so happy to hear you and your wife were able to visit us at the Cheese Factory last year! The curds will go up for sale in the Online Shop first thing tomorrow morning (EST included). You’ll have to wait until the shop opens to see the cost and shipping details. Once your order has shipped, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know when to expect your order to arrive! I hope that helps.
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team
February 14th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
I’m very disappointed, I ordered my curds, paid $28 for one bag plus Fed-Ex 2 day shipping and was expecting to receive them in two days. Instead, two days later, I all received was an order confirmation e-mail that said to expect to receive my curds in 2-4 weeks. EPIC FAIL.
February 19th, 2013 at 11:44 am
Hi Jeremy,
Thank you for sharing your frustration with us here. I’m so sorry if you feel you were mislead! The reason for the shipping timing is because in order for Squeaky Cheese Day to be possible, the Tillamook Marketing Team is taking time away from their usual work to hand pack and ship each order. You can read more about what’s going on behind the scenes here: http://www.tillamook.com/community/loaflifeblog/factory-fresh-what-goes-into-releasingthecurds/
All the best,
Amalya, of the Tillamook Team