America’s Dairy land

By Aman Sirohey

Think about that glass of milk you drink. Now think of 2,739 gallons of milk being produced each year, by cows around the state. Which sate exactly is this? The one, the only, Wisconsin! Right next to America’s Bread Basket, to wash all that wheat down, is Wisconsin, America’s Dairy Land. Cheese is a wonderful snack when accompanied with bread, as well. And guess what? The milk produced is turned into that cheese. Are you getting hungry? Well, be quick! Grab a snack (preferably cheese or anything containing dairy…) and let’s hop to it! I’ll tour you through the famous ice cream factories (and shops) of Wisconsin, and stopping at cheese factories, too! Here we go!

Site that provided me with this image: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu

I scream, you scream!

“I scream, you scream, we all scream for…ICE CREAM!” Ah, what’s more refreshing then eating a cold, milky dessert on a scorching summer day? Ice cream is always a delightful treat, whether it’s for dessert after dinner, or just a snack. So many brands to choose from! But, which one’s are in Wisconsin? Well, one leading brand is ‘Oberweis Dairy.’ Founded in North Aurora, Illinois by Peter J. Oberweis, this company provides ice cream for ALL Wisconsinites! Offering flavors like; Chocolate, Coffee, Black cherry, Vanilla, Strawberry—Don’t those flavors sound delicious? Well, if your favorite flavor isn’t in there—don’t worry! Oberweis offers a huge variety of flavors! Of course, no article about Wisconsin can go without mentioning “Kopp’s Frozen Custard.”

Founded by Elsa Kopp in 1950, this restaurant is hard beat! Hamburgers and Custard galore, this place sure fulfills orders for your fast-food craving demand! Located in Milwaukee, tourists from all around the world come just to try a bite of Kopp’s food! Whether you’re in the mood for ice cream, or if you want some hamburgers with custard, these two places are sure to satisfy you!

Site that provided me with this image: https://shepherdexpress.com/locations/oberweis-dairy/

Site that provided me with this image: https://www.kopps.com/menu

A Wisconsin Cow’s diet

Sure, the milk you like to drink matters, but what really goes into it matters, too. You’re basically drinking grass. Yes, you read that right, grass. “How in the world am I drinking GRASS?!” You might find yourself asking that right now, and it’s a pretty good question. Well, a majority of Cows in Wisconsin eat just that. But, some Cows are fed a different meal, other than…grass. Some farmers prefer to feed their beloved state animals hay, just like a horse. Or maybe even grains, pretty nutritional and filling for both you and the animals! Think about it: Healthy cows produce fresher, more delicious milk. Wisconsin farmers don’t use any bad preservatives and such in their feed, they even give an oath and swear by it!

Site that provided me with this image: https://www.wiscontext.org/wisconsins-decisive-shift-towards-dairy-cow

Cheesy!

So many choices to chose from! Whenever you’re hungry, cheese will always serve the job of an appetizer, snack, or even a meal! The most popular in Wisconsin (and in the nation) is mozzarella. Usually, in any other state or country, mozzarella is made from Water Buffalo milk. Yet, in Wisconsin, since the population of Water Buffalo is low, we use regular cow milk. This cheese starts out from being pulled. Next, it is packed in water. The outcome is a buttery, soft, sweet taste and texture. Wisconsin is famous for its cheddar, as well. The cheddar production initiated in the mid-1800s and is still one of the well-known cheese of Wisconsin! By the 1880s, Wisconsin provided more cheddar than any other type of cheese in the states! Wisconsin Cheddar has a strong, flavorful taste and is hard to chew and bite. A huge cheese producer is called “Sargento Cheese.” The headquarters are located in Plymouth, Wisconsin. This reigning cheese production company isn’t the only one, though. Another, is BelGioioso Cheese Inc. located in many parts of Wisconsin, and was founded in 1979. Currently, BelGioioso holds power over 8 manufacturing facilities that produce cheese. Yum! Doesn’t that sound delicious? Well, you’d have to come to Wisconsin to get some, of course!

Site that provided me with this image: https://www.ronscheese.com/cheese-70/mozzarella-cheese.html

Site that provided me with this image:

https://www.wisconsincheeseman.com/blog/cheese-nation/wisconsin-cheddar-it-doesnt-get-better/

Conclusion

Here we are, at the end of our journey. We went from exploring Ice Cream and sweet treats, to a Wisconsin cow’s diet, and of course, cheese.

There are so many treats and snacks to enjoy in Wisconsin! Of course, there are so many more places of America’s Dairy land to explore, but I think we deserve a rest, for now! I hope you enjoyed our trip, and I will be parting ways with you (for now…) on different paths! If you ever get the chance to stop here in Wisconsin, you’ll be welcomed with open arms! Farewell for now, I look forward to the next time we meet! Where will we go next time? That’s for me to know, and you to find out. Goodbye!