Hoop cheese facts for kids
Hoop cheese is a classic cheese made from cow's milk. It was very popular in the Southern United States from the early to mid-1900s. You can still find it today, but it's not as common as it used to be. This cheese is made by taking curds (the solid parts of milk) from cottage cheese and pressing out the whey (the liquid part). The American Dairy Association doesn't have official rules for what counts as hoop cheese. However, some people have called it a type of pot cheese.
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What is Hoop Cheese?
Hoop cheese is a simple, fresh cheese made from cow's milk. It is created by pressing curds from cottage cheese. This process removes all the whey, which is the watery part of milk.
To make it, cheesemakers use a special tool called a "cheese hoop." This hoop is a ring that is open at both ends. They put the curds inside the hoop, often with a special fabric called cheesecloth. The hoop helps press out the whey, which drains through the cloth. The solid hoop cheese stays behind.
After pressing, the cheese is usually shaped into rounds. It is then wrapped in cheesecloth, parchment paper, or sealed in wax. Hoop cheese is known for being a "truly low-fat" food. It feels firm but not hard. Many people say it has a creamy texture and is similar to farmer cheese. Sometimes, you might see it sold with a red wax coating.
It can be hard to find hoop cheese in stores today. This is because it's difficult to make it using machines. Also, it doesn't stay fresh for a very long time. In the past, it was a common cheese in the Southern United States. Today, you might still find it at small shops, farmers markets, or even some gas stations in the South.
How is Hoop Cheese Classified?
Today, the American Dairy Association does not have specific rules for what makes a cheese "hoop cheese." However, in 1915, a government report from New York described hoop cheese as a type of pot cheese.
History of Hoop Cheese
Hoop cheese was once made in large amounts. For example, in the 1910s, it was mass-produced in Otsego County, New York. From there, it was sent to New York City by train on the New York Central Railroad. During this time, hoop cheese and farmer cheese were packed in cans and boxes. They were shipped in big batches, often 100 pounds at a time. This way of shipping hoop cheese continued in New York state through the 1920s.
Hoop cheese was so common that a special machine was invented to cut it. This machine was called a "hoop cheese cutter." It was used in general stores in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The hoop cheese cutter was patented in the United States in 1905. It looked like a spinning table with a knife blade above it. Companies that made scales also built these cutters. They helped store owners cut the exact amount of cheese a customer wanted.
Hoop Cheese vs. Farmer Cheese
Hoop cheese is different from farmer cheese. Farmer cheese is made using milk, cream, and salt. Hoop cheese, however, is made only from milk.
