Object number
74/85
Creator
Description
This is a curd cutter used for cutting the curd into cubes by the use of one cutter only. It was used to cut smaller quantities of curds in 12 gallon vats. This example is a small curd cutter with 22 horizontal on one side and 6 vertical steel knives. The wooden handle is at a right angle to the cutter and is fixed on by means of a brass ring. There are two circular grooves on the handle and slightly reinforced feet to protect the knives. The inscription suggests it was made by F. T. Whitmarsh of Blandford, Dorset. This item was donated as part of a collection of dairy related objects from the University of Reading Department of Food Science.
Physical description
1 curd cutter: wood, metal
Label Text
Curd cutter. This curd cutter was used for dicing curds in 12 gallon vats. Its inscription implies it was made by F. T. Whitmarsh of Blandford, Dorset. Milk is split into curds and whey via the application of acidity and rennet. At this stage, the curd cutter is applied to cube the curds and allow more whey to drain. For particularly hard cheeses, the process is accelerated by heating the curds. They are then salted, pressed and ripened to form cheese. Some soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, do not require a curd cutter as they do not need all the whey to be drained.
Archival history
MERL ‘History Artefacts’ card – ‘Curd cutter // Tinned brass and wood// stamped Whitmarsh Patent, F. T. Whitmarsh, Blandford, Dorset // University of Reading Department of Food Science // Description: A small curd cutter with 22 horizontal on one side and 6 vertical steel knives. The wooden handle is at a right angle to the cutter and is fixed on by means of a brass ring. There are two circular grooves on the handle and slightly reinforced feet to protect the knives. Use: For cutting the curd into cubes by the use of one cutter only. It was used to cut smaller quantities of curds in 12 gallon vats.’
Production place
Blandford
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_12197.tif - High resolution image
