Colby Cheese

The Journey of Colby Cheese from Dairy to Dinner Plate

Colby cheese—a mild, semi-solid cheese with a characteristic orange hue—has been an American favorite for decades. While consumers appreciate Colby for its taste, texture, and colorful appearance, fewer are likely to consider the lengthy journey the cheese travels before gracing their dinner tables. In this blog post, we’ll explore the process of creating Colby cheese and take a step-by-step look at its journey from the dairy to the dinner plate.

The Basics of Cheese Production

Cheese production follows a handful of steps that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. In essence, milk undergoes a five-step process that begins with pasteurization and ends with aging.

Pasteurization: The milk begins the cheese-making process by undergoing pasteurization. This centuries-old technique was developed to eliminate harmful bacteria and make dairy products safer for human consumption. Legally, all cheeses produced in the United States must be made with pasteurized milk.

Coagulation: After pasteurization, the milk is passed through an enzyme called chymosin (or rennet) which causes it to form a soft, jelly-like mass. This process is known as coagulation.

Curds and Whey: Next, the jelly-like mass is cut into small curds and left to drain in a warm environment. The solid “curds” portions separate from the liquid “whey” portion.

Draining and Pressing: The curds are then drained and pressed to separate even more of the whey and give the cheese its final shape. This step also helps determine the final texture of the cheese.

Aging: Finally, the cheese is aged, usually in a cool cellar, for several weeks or months. The aging process helps develop and enhance the unique flavor, smell, and texture of each kind of cheese.

Creating Colby Cheese

The process for creating Colby is closely related to its more popular cousin, cheddar. Unlike cheddar, however, Colby does not require extra acid, bacteria, or enzymes during its aging process.

The first step in making Colby cheese is the same as making any other cheese—pasteurization. Once pasteurized, the milk is mixed with rennet and left to rest for 40 minutes. During this time, the rennet causes the proteins in the milk to coagulate and form curd.

Afterward, the curd is cut into pea-sized pieces which are left to rest for another 45 minutes. This allows the curd to continue releasing whey. Once the desired level of drainage is achieved, the curd is then heated (or occasionally cooked) to approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit and stirredto evenly distribute the temperature throughout.

At this point, the curd can be pressed into molds, salted, and placed into a brine bath. This process helps to draw excess moisture out of the cheese and give it its desirable texture and flavor.

Next, the cheese is placed in a dry atmosphere for several days, allowing it to reach its aging potential. During the aging process, bacteria, enzymes, and flavors are all allowed to develop. During the last step of the aging process (up to four weeks), doses of microbial cultures can be added to give the cheese its characteristic orange hue.

Once the cheese has reached its desired flavor, texture, and moisture level, it is packaged and distributed for sale.

At Home

When your Colby cheese finally reaches home, there are several options for adding it to meals. Colby is a versatile cheese that lends itself well to all meals, from macaroni and cheese to burgers, sandwiches, and tacos.

With its mild flavor, it pairs well with almost any kind of foods and can be used in both cold and hot dishes. It is also a great addition to salads and appetizers. To get the most out of your cheese, it should be stored in a cool, dry place, and away from direct sunlight or heat.

From Dairy to Dinner Plate

As you can see, Colby cheese takes quite a journey before it reaches your dinner plate. From being pasteurized to its aging process, a lot goes into crafting this beloved cheese staple. Now that you know more about the production and journey of Colby cheese, you can better appreciate its deliciousness and versatility.