Colby cheese

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Colby
Country of origin United States
Region, town Wisconsin
Source of milk cows
Pasteurised
Texture Semi-hard
Aging time None
Certification

Colby cheese is a cow's milk cheese. It was originally called Colby "Swiss" Cheddar. [1]

Contents

[edit] History

Joseph F. Steinwand in 1874 developed a new type of cheese at his father's cheese factory near Colby, Wisconsin. The cheese was named after the village.[2], which had opened three years previously. [3]

An 1898 issue of the "Colby Phonograph" noted that "A merchant in Phillips gives as one of the 13 reasons why people should trade with him, that he sells the genuine Steinwand Colby Cheese." After the turn of the century Wisconsin became known as one of the great cheese producing centers in the United States.

[edit] Properties

Colby is similar to cheddar, but does not undergo the cheddaring process[4]. Colby is a softer, moister, and milder cheese than cheddar because it is produced through a washed-curd process. Colby is considered semi-hard. [5] The washed-curd process means that during the cooking time, the whey is replaced by water; this reduces the curd's acidity, resulting in Colby's characteristically mild, gentle flavor. Like most other cheeses, it takes a little more than a U.S. gallon of milk to produce just 1 pound (over 8 liters for a kilogram) of cheese. Monterey cheese is produced in an almost identical fashion as Colby, but is uncolored and softer[4].

Longhorn is the best known of the Colby cheeses. Colby should not be aged. Colby dries out quickly, so it is best used shortly after purchasing. [6] Colby cheeses are typically sold in half-rounds. Pinconning cheese is a sharp aged relative of Colby cheese.

[edit] Uses

Because it is such a mild cheese, Colby is seldom used in cooking. It is used as a table cheese, for grating and grilling, and in snacks and salads.

[edit] Derivatives

Colby is sometimes mixed with Monterey Jack to produce a marbled cheese often called Colby-Jack or Co-Jack.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Colby and Jack cheeses
  2. ^ Colby cheese at www.ilovecheese.com
  3. ^ History: The Home of Colby Cheese
  4. ^ a b Kowsikowski, F., and V. Mistry. 1997. Cheese and Fermented Milk Foods, 3rd ed, vol. I. F. V. Kowsikowski, L.L.C., Westport, Conn.
  5. ^ Colby cheese at Wisconsin FFA
  6. ^ Colby cheese at truestarhealth.com

[edit] External links

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