Wisconsin Week: Frozen Custard

This week I'm celebrating the state of Wisconsin, just because I can.   
There is ice cream and there is frozen custard.    Both are delicious.
When I'm Wisconsin-bound, I like to get my custard on!

Wisconsin Week:  Frozen Custard

Wisconsin can't take the credit for creating frozen custard, but I see it there more often in WI than anywhere else.     According to Wikipedia, a shop in Coney Island was the first commercial producer back in 1919.   It made its way to the Midwest for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.  

As you may know, it's not very far from Chicago to the Wisconsin border.
And it's not that far from the border to Milwaukee.    Milwaukee totally got on board the frozen custard express.

Milwaukee has highest number of frozen custard shops per capita.  

When I fly into Milwaukee, I'm committed to supporting these custard shops.    My sister lived in Milwaukee for years and she's partial to Kopp's.  So here I am, dragging from a red-eye flight from Hawaii to Wisconsin ready to take on the world now that I have custard in hand.  

#sorrynotsorry

Fun facts about frozen custard:

• Per the FDA it must contain 10% milkfat,  why do you think it tastes so rich and amazing?  
• 1.4% egg yolk solids....if it's less than that, it's merely ice cream
• Butterfat and egg yolk give frozen custard it's creamy and dense texture
• Most custard shops serve vanilla, chocolate and a flavor of the day

Trivia from Wikipedia

 If you can't make it to Wisconsin....other frozen custard spots I recommend:

• Denver:   Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard  - bonus, they offer Paw Benders for your furry friends
• Indianapolis:  Ritter's Frozen Custard & Burgers
• Champaign, IL:   Jarling's Custard Cup (totally brings back memories of college)
• Various locations:  Culver's (based in Wisconsin, but has locations in other states)

Have you tried frozen custard?   Do you have a go-to spot?  

Wisconsin Week: Cheese

This week I'm celebrating the state of Wisconsin, just because I can.   
The love of cheese is real.   

Wisconsin Week:  Cheese  

Wisconsin is known for it's dairy.   Cheese in particular.    For me, no visit to Wisconsin is complete without multiple servings of cheese curds.  

For many people, cheese curds may be just a thing of whispered legend.
Are they fried bar food?   
Are they served at fairs and festivals?   
Are they fresh and squeaky?  

Cheese curds are all of those things.    Cheese curds are a part of the cheese making process.   Before cheeses like cheddar are formed into blocks or wheels and aged, they start out as curds.   And yes, fresh curds squeak when you eat them.


Enhance your cheese curd knowledge at Eat Curds.   The Wisconsin milk marketing board wants YOU to know and understand the wonder of the cheese curd.  

Fun Wisconsin cheese and dairy facts to impress your friends:

• Wisconsin has 127 cheese plants, more than any other state 
• It takes 10 lbs of milk to make 1 lb of cheese
• On average, each American eats 34 lbs of cheese each year (that's a LOT of cheese)
• More than 96% of Wisconsin's dairy farms are family owned
• Wisconsin was named America's Dairyland in 1930
• Wisconsin is nation's largest producer of Cheddar cheese
• The first ice cream sundae was served in Two Rivers, Wisconsin (and yes, I've been there to celebrate that fact in person)

Trivia from America's Dairyland

Wisconsin makes it very easy to get your cheese fix.   Just look for a sign.  A big sign that says CHEESE.  

If you're in southern Wisconsin near Kenosha, perhaps a visit to the Mars Cheese Castle is in order?  

And when you're up near Door County, in Algoma or Sturgeon Bay?   A visit to Renard's is a must!

Or a mouse.

Let's celebrate with some cheese!

Wisconsin Cheese Curds for the win!

Do you love cheese too?