National Cheese Curd Day
October 15
About National Cheese Curd Day
National Cheese Curd Day is celebrated on 15 October each year, paying homage to one of Wisconsin’s most beloved dairy delicacies. Founded in 2015 by Culver’s, the Midwestern restaurant chain that has elevated the cheese curd to something approaching an art form, the day celebrates the fresh, squeaky, irresistible treat that cheese lovers across the country have come to adore.
How to Celebrate National Cheese Curd Day
Whether you’re a cheese curd purist or a battered-and-fried devotee, here are the best ways to mark 15 October:
- Visit Culver’s – The restaurant chain that founded the day is the obvious first port of call. Culver’s offers its famous deep-fried Wisconsin cheese curds in multiple sizes. In past years, Culver’s has offered promotional deals to mark the occasion.
- Source fresh cheese curds – For the authentic experience, seek out fresh cheese curds from a specialist cheesemonger, farmers’ market, or Wisconsin dairy. Fresh curds should squeak against your teeth when you bite into them, a sign they’re genuinely fresh.
- Make fried cheese curds at home – Coat fresh cheese curds in a seasoned beer batter and deep-fry until golden. Serve with ranch dressing or marinara sauce. The result is an indulgent treat worthy of any state fair.
- Try poutine – The Canadian dish of French fries topped with cheese curds and beef gravy is the most internationally recognised use of cheese curds. Make a classic poutine at home to experience cheese curds in their most celebrated context.
- Explore different curd flavours – Beyond the classic natural flavour, cheese curds are available in Colby Jack, dill, garlic, jalapeño, and ranch varieties. Try a selection to discover your favourite.
- Learn about Wisconsin cheese – Wisconsin produces more cheese than any other US state and is home to hundreds of artisan cheesemakers. The Wisconsin Cheese website offers a wealth of information about the state’s dairy heritage.
- Host a cheese curd tasting – Set up a tasting of fresh, fried, and flavoured cheese curds alongside other Wisconsin dairy products. Pair with cold beer for an authentic Midwest experience.
- Visit a Wisconsin dairy – If you’re in the area, some Wisconsin cheesemakers offer tours and tastings that include watching the cheesemaking process and eating curds straight from the vat.
What is National Cheese Curd Day?
National Cheese Curd Day is an annual US food observance on 15 October, celebrating cheese curds: the fresh, unaged, bite-sized pieces of curdled milk that are a beloved product of the American dairy industry, particularly in Wisconsin. Cheese curds are the by-product of the cheesemaking process, formed when milk is curdled with rennet or an acid and the solid curds are separated from the liquid whey. Fresh cheese curds have a mild, milky flavour and a distinctive squeaky texture when eaten fresh. They are delicious on their own, deep-fried, or as the essential ingredient in poutine.
When is National Cheese Curd Day?
National Cheese Curd Day falls on Thursday, 15 October 2026. It is a fixed annual observance on 15 October each year.
The History of National Cheese Curd Day
National Cheese Curd Day was founded in 2015 by Culver’s, the Wisconsin-based fast food restaurant chain known for its ButterBurgers and deep-fried Wisconsin cheese curds. Culver’s began serving its now-iconic fried cheese curds in 1997, and the item has become one of the restaurant’s signature offerings, with the chain reporting over 41 million orders served in 2022 alone.
The story of cheese curds in Wisconsin is inseparable from the story of dairy farming in the state. German and Swiss immigrants began settling in Wisconsin in the mid-19th century, bringing with them the cheesemaking traditions of their homelands. The state’s climate, rich pastures, and growing dairy industry made it ideal for cheese production, and by the early 20th century Wisconsin had become the leading cheese-producing state in the country, a position it still holds today. Cheese curds are a natural by-product of the cheesemaking process: when the curds are first separated from the whey during the making of cheddar or colby cheese, they haven’t yet been pressed into wheels or aged. In Wisconsin, eating fresh curds straight from the vat became a beloved tradition among dairy workers and local communities.
Wisconsin’s state fair, county fairs, and roadside dairy stands helped cheese curds become embedded in the regional culture, and deep-frying them became a popular preparation at fairs and restaurants. National Cheese Curd Day built on this beloved heritage to create a national celebration of what remains a distinctly Midwestern food tradition.
Fun Facts About National Cheese Curd Day
- Cheese curds were founded as a National Day celebration by Culver’s in 2015, with the first observance on 15 October of that year.
- Culver’s reported serving over 41 million orders of cheese curds in 2022, equivalent to six orders for every person in Wisconsin.
- Fresh cheese curds should squeak when you bite into them. The squeaking is caused by air trapped in the protein matrix of the fresh curd rubbing against your tooth enamel. Curds lose this quality after approximately 12 hours.
- Wisconsin produces more than 600 varieties of cheese and accounts for approximately 26% of all US cheese production.
- Poutine, the Canadian national dish that uses cheese curds as its key ingredient, was reportedly invented in the Quebec town of Warwick in the late 1950s.
- Cheese curds are formed during the cheesemaking process when milk is curdled with rennet. The curds must be eaten within hours of being made for the characteristic squeak to be present.
Why National Cheese Curd Day Matters
National Cheese Curd Day is a celebration of artisan dairy tradition, regional food culture, and the particular joy of a truly fresh food experience. In a world of processed, shelf-stable dairy products, cheese curds at their best represent the direct connection between the dairy farm and the table. They’re also simply delicious, and sometimes that’s reason enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Cheese Curd Day?
National Cheese Curd Day is a US food observance on 15 October, created by Culver’s in 2015 to celebrate Wisconsin’s beloved cheese curds: fresh, squeaky, bite-sized pieces of unaged cheddar or colby cheese that are delicious fresh or deep-fried.
When is National Cheese Curd Day in 2026?
National Cheese Curd Day falls on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
What makes a cheese curd squeak?
The squeak in a fresh cheese curd is caused by air trapped in the elastic protein matrix of the fresh curd. As you bite into it, the rubbery protein structure rubs against your tooth enamel, producing the distinctive squeak. Cheese curds lose this quality as they age, typically after about 12 hours at room temperature.
Spread the Word
Share your cheese curd creations, your Culver’s visits, and your poutine experiments on social media with the hashtags #NationalCheeseCurdDay and #NationalCheeseCurdDay2026. Post your squeak test results and let the world know how fresh your curds are!
Related Awareness Days
- National Dessert Month – Running throughout October, this month celebrates sweet indulgence, a fitting pairing with National Cheese Curd Day’s celebration of savoury dairy treats.
- National Italian Cheese Month – A September observance celebrating the broad and wonderful world of artisan cheese, of which Wisconsin’s dairy tradition is proudly a part.
- National String Cheese Day – Observed on 20 September, this day celebrates another fun, fresh dairy product that shares the playful spirit of cheese curd culture.
Links
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