Me and my cake…Yum!

Have you ever seen a surprised loaf of cheese?

Well, let me tell you, I was about as surprised as they come on February 13 (our official founding day) when I was invited to the Cheese Factory where about 150 of my friends and family (employees and member-owners and their families) gathered for a party to celebrate Tillamook County Creamery Association’s 104^th birthday, and I was the special guest of honor!

We had birthday cake and any flavor of Tillamook Ice Cream a loaf could want! We played games like Beanie Cow Toss, Spin the Wheel, Pick-a-Milk-Bottle, and a family favorite, Bingo!

It’s not every day that a company turns 104, so it was sure nice to stop and recognize the hard work and dedication that everyone at TCCA puts into every product that is sold on store shelves!

One of my good friends having a good time playing Bingo!

My BFF Tillie even stopped by!

Everyone signed a giant birthday card for me, I’m hanging it on my wall!

The cake, it looks just like me!

By Loafy

Celebrate our 104^th birthday with us by munching on Squeaky Cheese Curds fresh from the Tillamook Cheese Factory. For today only, we’re opening the vats and releasing Squeaky Cheese Curds on the Online Shop. Supplies are limited, so get ‘em while they squeak! Funds raised will benefit the Oregon Food Bank to support hunger relief.

Order your tasty curds here!

By Callie

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 104^th 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!

By Tillamook

February is a very exciting month for many reasons: Valentine’s Day, Oregon’s Birthday, and most importantly, Tillamook’s Birthday!!! This year, on February 13, the farmer owned co-op is turning 104! That’s 104 years of delicious naturally aged cheese made in Tillamook, Oregon! In 1909, several small creameries teamed up to form Tillamook County Creamery Association with the mission to make delicious high quality cheese.

I have a lot to be thankful for! After all, if it wasn’t for those farmers 104 years ago, there’d be no me (Loafy)! Today, Tillamook is made up of 100 dairy farm families, many of whom are kin to the early pioneers. To celebrate this very exciting birthday, I’m writing and collecting birthday cards to share with our wonderful farmers! Will you join me!?!

Send your cards to:
Tillamook
c/o Loafy
4185 Highway 101 North
Tillamook, Oregon 97141

Learn more about Tillamook’s history here!

By Loafy

Most people are thinking about what they are going to make their sweetie for dinner tomorrow night, but there is a VERY important holiday (at least it’s a holiday in my mind) to celebrate today. February 13^th marks Tillamook’s Birthday! 103 years ago several small creameries teamed up to form the Tillamook County Creamery Association and deliver the highest quality dairy products to consumers. That’s something that we are still proud of and live by today. In honor of the occasion, we made a Baby Loaf cake!

How are you going to celebrate? Make your own Baby Loaf cake? Maybe grilled cheese for dinner? The possibilities are endless…

~ Laura of the Tillamook Team

By Laura

What are your weekend plans? When’s the last time you enjoyed a fresh scoop of creamy Tillamook Ice Cream at the Cheese Factory where it’s made?

This Sunday, February 13, Tillamook is turning 102 years old! Join us as we celebrate at the Cheese Factory – receive 1 free sundae topping when you purchase a dish of your favorite Tillamook Ice Cream.

I can’t think of a tastier way to spend the weekend!

Photo courtesy of Josh Bancroft

By Loafy