Cheese Database

Cheese curds vs Leipäjuusto

Cheese curds, field guide plate
Cheese curds, photographed

Cheese curds

Facts

Milk
Cow
Texture
Fresh
Type
Fresh
Rind
No rind
Country
United States
Place
Upper Midwest

Cheese curds are the fresh curd of a cheddar-style make, sold before the cheese is pressed into a wheel and aged. Very fresh curds squeak against the teeth.

Leipäjuusto, field guide plate
Leipäjuusto, photographed

Leipäjuusto

Facts

Milk
Cow
Texture
Fresh
Type
Fresh
Rind
No rind
Country
Finland
Place
Southern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu

Leipäjuusto is a Finnish fresh cheese from Southern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, made from cow's milk and baked until brown spots mark the surface. The Finnish name means bread cheese, and many people also call the same round juustoleipä. A warm piece squeaks against the teeth, which is why English speakers say squeaky cheese. The shape is a flat disc, thicker than a cracker and firmer than curd spooned from a pot. It is meant to be heated, not only sliced cold from the fridge.