How
should I store the cheese.
Cougar Cheese should always be stored under
refrigeration. Cougar Cheese may be transported
at temperatures below 70° F for up to 10 days and should be
refrigerated upon arrival. Once opened, remove cheese from the
can and store in an airtight container. We recommend cutting into
smaller pieces and individually wrapping each piece. Life of the
cheese is diminished each time it is handled and exposed to air.
Storing cheese in the opened can or freezing it endangers the
quality. High temperatures will cause excess moisture (butterfat
and whey) in the can and the cheese will be very crumbly. While
safe for consumption, the quality will be diminished.
How
long will the cheese last?
As long as the cheese is unopened and refrigerated it will last
indefinitely. An unopened can of cheese becomes more flavorful,
sharp, dry and crumbly with age. Once opened, the cheese generally
lasts similar to other store bought cheese.
Why
is the Cougar Gold crumbly and hard to slice. Cougar Gold and our American
and Smoky Cheddars are aged cheeses. Each is aged for at least
one year prior to shipping. With age, these cheeses become more
flavorful, sharper, drier and crumbly. White-colored crystals
(the amino acid tyrosine) will also be present throughout the
aged cheese. These are all desired aspects well aged cheese. The
more aged the cheese, the more prevelant these characteristics
become. Some customers have aged our cheeses for over 30 years.
For easier slicing, we recommend bringing the cheese to room temperature
and using a wire cheese cutting. The cheese breaking into crumbles
allows for a unique presentation. Remember, this is not a processed
cheese.
Can
I freeze the cheese?
Freezing the cheese is not recommended because it will become
more crumbly and harder to slice than normal. However, many of
our customers do freeze the cheese. If you do freeze the cheese,
thaw only the portion you will be using immediately in the refrigerator.
Remember, if the can is unopened and refrigerated, it will last
indefinitely and continue to age.
Are
lids provided to cover open cans?
Although we provided lids for a short period of time, we discovered
that the cut edge of the opened can rusted and contaminated the
cheese. Therefore, we quit providing lids and strongly discourage
using them. However, if you still prefer to use a lid, a large
coffee can lid fits well.
What
is the date on the lid for? This is the date of manufacture (i.e. the date the
cheese was put in the can). It is not an expiration date.
If the cheese is unopened and refrigerated, it should last indefinitely.
Some of our customers age the cheese for over 30years. As the
cheese ages it becomes more flavorful, crumblier and may develop
crystals.
How
do I open the cans?
Use a sturdy, clean can opener and open like any other can. To
get the cheese out of the can, turn the can upside down and wiggle
it back and forth. You may need to run a knife around the edge
of the cheese or cut a wedge out of the cheese to get it out of
the can.
Which
wines should be served with Cougar Cheese? Visit our Cheese
and Wine page to help you make a selection.
Which
cheese is the most popular?
Our most popular cheese is Cougar Gold. Other popular flavors
include Viking, Dill Garlic and Crimson Fire.
What
sizes are available of Cougar cheese?
All cheeses come in a 30oz can. We do not sell smaller cans for
several reasons: we would have to purchases all new equipment,
production costs would increase and we sell out our cheese in
its current size.
What
is the price for Cougar Cheese?
The current price for Cougar Cheese is $18.00
per 30 oz. can.
Can
I send gifts to different addresses?
You can send gifts to as many different addresses as you would
like, but if there are over three different addresses please order
online or submit your order by mail or fax to ensure accuracy.
Are
enclosures provided?
Gift messages are printed on each package label going to an address
other than the buyer’s. Unless you request a special message,
it will read “A Gift from: your name.” Each gift package
comes with an insert telling about our cheese and a magnet.
How
is the cheese shipped and how much is shipping and handling?
We ship via UPS to street addresses within the lower 48 states.
Deliveries to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, APO’s, FPO’s
and PO Boxes are shipped through the US Postal Service. Priority
Overnight delivery is available through Federal Express (FedEx
does not deliver to PO Boxes).
Why don't you ship internationally?
Unfortunately, we no longer ship internationally. We do still
ship to APO/FPO addresses. There are many reasons we no longer
offer this service: extra duties being charged to customers, damage/loss
of product, increased customs restrictions, etc…. International
service may still be available to you as an individual through
the Post Office, UPS or other carrier. Please check with your
preferred carrier for restrictions, lists of countries and other
requirements for international shipping. We can ship the cheese
to you and you may be able to ship it internationally.
How
long will it take for my cheese to reach me?
With standard shipping, the cheese should be delivered within
one week after the order is received at the WSU Creamery. Federal
Express Priority Overnight service is available for faster delivery
(FedEx does not deliver to PO Boxes).
When
do I need to order to ensure that the cheese will arrive by Christmas?
Cougar Cheeses are popular holiday gifts and it is common to run
out of flavors. We need to receive your order by November 30th
to guarantee Christmas delivery. We accept orders after that time,
but cannot guarantee that they will arrive by Christmas.
Can
I take the cheese with me when I go sailing?
We recommend storing all our cheeses under refrigeration and are
not responsible for quality loss due to storage temperatures falling
outside the 40-50 degrees F range. Viking based cheeses will suffer
the most from variations in storage temperature. Cougar Gold,
American Cheddar, and Smoky Cheddar will be less affected by improper
storage. Since refrigeration is not always feasible, taking these
steps will insure a better product: (1) Store the cheese below
the waterline on the boat. The colder and more constant the temperatures
the better. (2) Check cans periodically for bulges and rust. (3)
If mold is present, discard the cheese.
Where
is Pullman?
Pullman is located in the southeast corner of Washington state,
very close to the Idaho border about 80 miles south of Spokane,
Washington. Pullman is about 300 miles east of Seattle.
Can
I buy Cougar Cheese in stores? Cougar Cheese is available on the Pullman campus at
Ferdinand's Ice Cream Shoppe. In the event Ferdinand's is closed,
you can purchased the cheese at several Pullman locations. Click
here for a list of local retailers. Outside of Pullman, Cougar
Cheese may be purchase at WSU Branch Campus Bookstores located
in Spokane, Richland and Vancouver. It is also sold at the Washington
State Connections store, located in the Westlake Mall in downtown
Seattle.
Why
don't you make Bleu or Swiss cheese? The molds used for making Bleu cheeses can spread throughout
a production facility and contaminate other cheeses. Bleu cheeses
are generally produced in a different facility than other cheeses.
The holes in Swiss cheese are created
by gases which develop from the cheese during production. Cougar
Cheese was created to produce little to no gas during production
so it could be stored in the can. If Swiss cheese were stored
in the can, the can would burst open from the gases produced.
Is
your cheese gluten free? Yes.
There are no grain products in any part of the cheese making process.
Some ice cream flavors (Apple Cup Crisp, Cookie Dough and Cookies
and Cream) contain gluten.
Why
have you discontinued some flavors? The main reason for cheese flavors being discontinued
is they didn't sell well. When flavors are discontinued, more
milk is available to produce more popular flavors. Some flavors
that have been discontinued are (all made with the Viking base):
Reduced Fat Viking, Cracked Pepper & Chive and Italian (Oregano
and Basil).
How
do I track a package? Tracking
for UPS packages is available online. You will need to log on
to the account for which you ordered the package.
Once
logged in, click on the blue box that says "Order Status"
located in the upper left hand corner.
Click
the order number you would like to track. The UPS package cannot
be tracked until it says shipped.
For Federal Express
packages, please contact customer service as they cannot be tracked
online.
We are unable to track packages that were sent through the Postal
Service.
Does
the WSU Creamery use rbST treated milk? In February, 2008 the Knott Dairy, Department
of Animal Sciences at Washington State University, stopped using
rbST in its dairy herd. This move was in response to the milk
marketing options available in eastern Washington. Questions regarding
this issue should be directed to: Dr. Margaret Benson, Chair,
Department of Animal Sciences.
The FDA has determined that no significant difference has been
shown between milk derived from rbST-supplemented and non-rbST-supplemented
cows.
Why
don't you accept American Express or Discover Card? Washington State University
does not have contracts with American Express or Discover. As
part of the university, we are subject to the rules the administration
puts forth.
