If you’ve ever bitten into a fresh cheese curd and heard that unmistakable squeak, you already know there’s something a little different about this snack. 

But what exactly is a cheese curd? Why does it squeak? And what makes fresh cheese curds so special? 

National Cheese Curd Day is October 15, and there’s no better time than now to get to know one of our favorite ways to enjoy cheese. 

What are cheese curds? 

Cheese curds are young pieces of cheese created during the cheesemaking process. 

As milk is transformed into cheese, it separates into solid curds and liquid whey. Those fresh curds can continue through the cheesemaking process to become finished blocks or rounds of cheese, but they’re also delicious on their own. 

That means a cheese curd isn't simply a tiny piece cut from a larger block of cheese. Its characteristic shape and texture come directly from the cheesemaking process. 

The result is a bite-sized snack with a springy texture, fresh dairy flavor and, when the conditions are right, that famous squeak. 

Why do cheese curds squeak? 

The squeak is real—especially if you've tried cheese curds from The Creamery.

Fresh cheese curds have a firm, elastic texture. When you bite into one, the proteins in the curd rub against the surface of your teeth, creating the characteristic squeaking sound cheese-curd fans know and love. 

And that brings us to another question. 

Why does freshness matter? 

The fresher the curd, the more noticeable its characteristic texture and squeak tend to be. 

Over time, changes in the cheese affect that texture, so the squeak naturally becomes less prominent. That doesn't mean a curd suddenly stops being delicious. It simply means the quintessential squeaky-curd experience is closely associated with freshness. 

Additionally, the process of vacuum-packing cheese curds removes the moisture that gives them optimal squeak. That's exactly why each bag of The Creamery's cheese curds is hand-bagged and closed with a twist tie—the same way we've done it for decades.

Cheese curds come in delicious flavors.

Classic cheese curds are only the beginning. 

Different seasonings can take that familiar cheesy bite in entirely new directions, from savory and herbaceous to bold and spicy. Trying different cheese curd flavors is an easy way to discover a new favorite without losing the fresh, satisfying texture that makes a curd a curd. 

If you like a little more heat, Fiery Cheese Curds offer a bolder take on the classic snack. They're also included in Artisan Heat, The Creamery's curated box built around big, spicy flavors. 

How do you eat cheese curds? 

Our favorite answer might be the simplest: straight from the bag. But there are plenty of ways to enjoy them. 

• Pack them for a road trip. Cheese curds make a fitting snack for a Utah road trip, especially if that road trip happens to include a stop at The Creamery in Beaver, Utah.
• Add them to a cheese and charcuterie board. Cheese curds can add a playful element to a cheese and charcuterie board. Their irregular shape creates visual variety alongside sliced or cubed cheeses, while flavored curds can add another dimension to your spread.
• Fry them to perfection and dip in your favorite sauce. Try this recipe for our top-selling fried cheese curds served in the Creamery Kitchen, and watch them disappear first at your get-togethers this fall.
• Use them in place of shredded cheese as a soup topping. Chili? Yes. Loaded Baked Potato Soup? Yes. Butternut Squash Soup? Also yes. Soup season is here and it's calling for cheese curds.
• Use them in recipes. There's a reason our Signature Cheese Curd Pizza is a staff favorite. Cheese curds add a delicious texture and flavor to recipes. Feeling bold? Add fried cheese curds to a vanilla sundae with a sweety and spicy fruit sauce. Feeling creative? Add them to your oven-baked nachos for game day.
• Serve them as an easy snack. Sometimes cheese doesn't need much dressing up. Set out a bowl of cheese curds as an easy snack for family or friends, or keep your favorite flavor on hand for when you're craving something savory.

Celebrate National Cheese Curd Day 

National Cheese Curd Day is October 15, but we'd argue a good cheese curd deserves more than one day a year. 

If you've never experienced the squeak for yourself, consider this your invitation. And if you're already a cheese curd fan, National Cheese Curd Day sounds like a pretty good reason to stock up on an old favorite or try a new flavor. Save 15% when you order the Cheese Curd Bundle and try all five flavors.

Shop The Creamery's cheese curds and find your next favorite flavor. 

Looking for something with an extra kick? Explore the Artisan Heat curated box, featuring Fiery Cheese Curds alongside a collection of bold flavors made for sharing.