Cheese cutter

Cheese cutter

  File:Cheese cutter.jpg

A typical wire cheese cutter

A cheese cutter is a kitchen tool designed specifically for cutting cheese. It is an essential utensil for cheese enthusiasts and professionals alike, allowing for precise slicing and portioning of various types of cheese. Cheese cutters come in several forms, each suited to different types of cheese and cutting needs.

Types of Cheese Cutters

There are several types of cheese cutters, each with unique features and uses:

Wire Cheese Cutter

The wire cheese cutter is one of the most common types. It consists of a handle attached to a thin wire, which is used to slice through cheese. The wire is typically made of stainless steel, providing durability and resistance to corrosion. Wire cheese cutters are ideal for soft to semi-hard cheeses, as they allow for clean cuts without crushing the cheese.

Plane Cheese Cutter

The plane cheese cutter, also known as a cheese plane, resembles a spatula with a sharp-edged slot. It is used by pressing the plane against the cheese and pulling it towards the user, slicing off thin pieces. This type of cutter is particularly useful for semi-hard cheeses like Gouda or Edam.

Rotary Cheese Grater

While not a cutter in the traditional sense, the rotary cheese grater is used to finely grate hard cheeses such as Parmesan. It consists of a cylindrical grater inside a housing, with a handle that rotates the grater against the cheese.

Guillotine Cheese Cutter

The guillotine cheese cutter features a blade that is lowered onto the cheese, similar to a paper cutter. This type is often used for hard cheeses and provides uniform slices.

History

The cheese cutter has evolved over time, with early versions dating back to the 19th century. The wire cheese cutter was invented by Thor Bjørklund, a Norwegian carpenter, in 1925. His design was inspired by the carpenter's plane, leading to the creation of the cheese plane.

Usage

Cheese cutters are used in both domestic and professional settings. They are essential tools in cheese shops, restaurants, and homes where cheese is a staple. Proper use of a cheese cutter ensures that cheese is served in aesthetically pleasing and manageable portions.

Maintenance

To maintain a cheese cutter, it is important to clean it after each use. Wire cutters should be checked regularly for tension and replaced if the wire becomes frayed. Cheese planes and guillotines should be kept sharp to ensure clean cuts.

Also see

• Cheese knife
• Cheese grater
• Cheese board
• Cheese storage