Steven Helmer Publications

  I came across Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery Cheese Curds at one of our local grocery stores a couple weeks ago. They were on sale for $2.50 per pack, so I picked up some to give a try. Overall, it wasn't a bad purchase. These weren't as fresh as some other cheese curds I've purchased. I mean, they didn't taste old or anything like that, but you can tell by the lack of a squeak when eating them.  That said, I thought the curds had a good flavor to them. A lot of times, you'll buy a brand of curds and all you'll taste is salt rather than cheese. That was not the case with this brand though. The curds had a mild cheddar flavor, and I couldn't taste much, if any, salt when eating them. They also proved to be filling. At first, I thought I'd end up eating the whole bag in one sitting. However, it took me about three tries to get through it, adding even more value for the lower price. Another thing I found intriguing about this brand was the wide range of ...

I'm a big fan of cheese curds, mostly because I am somewhat lactose intolerant, and curds tend to be one of the few dairy products I can eat in a reasonable quantity without getting an upset stomach. I've tried quite a few brands, and Malcore's is easily one of my favorites. The first time I saw curds from this Appleton, Wisconsin-based company, I was admittedly a bit curious. Normally, you find a product like this in the grocery store's refrigerated dairy section. These, however, were displayed prominently on a table nowhere near the refrigerator. They were also a bit warm. As it turns out, that isn't the only thing different about these. For one, they are some of the freshest curds I have ever purchased. I can tell because they squeak when you eat them. Even in the dairy state, that's not always a given. In fact, I'd say the majority I've purchased over the years, even those made right here in Wisconsin, didn't squeak. Another thing I like about th...

  I honestly didn't even know Muenster cheese curds were a thing until I happened to notice them while at the grocery store last night. I was intrigued, mostly because this one of my favorite types of cheese, and picked up a bag ($3.49). I gave them a try last night and was glad I made the purchase. One thing that really stood out for me when it came to these cheese curds is they weren't as salty as some others I've purchased. The curds had a nice mild flavor that made them enjoyable to eat and, because they weren't salty, I didn't feel like I needed to have something to drink immediately after. In fact, I liked the flavor so much, I had to force myself to put them back in the fridge because I was afraid I would wind up accidentally finishing the bag in one sitting (I still wound up sneaking a few more before getting ready for bed). I also liked how these cheese curds were cut in cubes. It's something relatively simple but it makes the product more attractive fo...