What Is It Wednesday: June 08 – Cheese Curd Knife

Welcome to “What Is It Wednesday” Revealed! Thanks to everyone who guessed! While this particular artifact is not on exhibit, please visit the newly-renovated Nebraska History Museum at 15th and P Streets to engage with more fascinating Nebraska History!

What Is It Wednesday – Jun 8

 

8846-3  Cheese curd knife Used by Mrs. Fred L. Miller 1900-1915 who lived 14 miles southeast of Crawford, Nebraska. Night and morning milk was saved and poured in a large wooden vat. Rennet was added to the sweet milk to hurry the process of souring. When clabbered, knives like this were used to cut the curd into squares. The whey was drained off and heated then returned to the curd (in the vat) to hurry the process of separation and again allowed to drain. The curd was then put into the cheese mold and the wooden press placed on top. The wooden press continued to press the whey out. The whey drained off through the holes it the bottom of the mold. When thoroughly drained, the block of curd was removed from the mold, covered with cheesecloth and paraffin, and left on the shelf in the cool dark cellar to age up to six months.

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