What Exactly Is String Cheese?

There’s something irresistibly satisfying about biting into something gooey and warm, like a mozzarella stick, and watching that cheese stretch and pull. But that stringy consistency? It’s a rare gift in the cheese world—except for one key player: string cheese. Created to be pulled apart, almost like angel hair pasta (there’s cathedrals everywhere for those with eyes to see, or so a poet said), string cheese is a childhood favorite and even beloved by the pickiest of eaters. But, really, what is it we’re snacking on?

Is String Cheese Really… Cheese?

The short answer? Yes, string cheese is absolutely cheese. Specifically, it’s mozzarella, made from cow’s milk. The magic behind string cheese lies in its ability to pull apart into fine strands, and that’s thanks to how mozzarella is made. Mozzarella is heated and stretched during production, a process called plasticization, which aligns the milk proteins in such a way that allows the cheese to be peeled apart. So, if you're feeling fancy, you can proudly proclaim that your snack is a science-driven mozzarella masterpiece.

How Is String Cheese Made?

Now, not all cheese can don the string cheese crown. In fact, string cheese is typically made only from mozzarella. During production, the mozzarella curds are heated to just the right temperature and then stretched repeatedly until the proteins align in a parallel fashion. This is what gives string cheese its signature texture—it’s all about the stretch! You can’t pull apart a wedge of brie or gouda the same way (trust me, I’ve tried). Mozzarella is unique in this sense, making it the go-to for all your string cheese needs.

How Do You Really Eat String Cheese?

There are two types of people in this world: those who peel their string cheese and those who take a bite out of it like a savage. (Kidding… kind of.) String cheese was born to be pulled apart, strand by strand, a playful snack experience in itself. The act of peeling it adds to the joy of eating. However, no one’s judging if you’re more of a “just bite into it” person—after all, it’s still delicious. It’s the perfect grab-and-go snack, an ideal addition to lunchboxes, and a fantastic option for those late-night cravings.

String Cheese vs. Cheese Sticks: What’s the Difference?

Here’s where it gets tricky. While all string cheese is technically a cheese stick, not all cheese sticks are string cheese. Confused yet? Cheese sticks refer to any stick-shaped cheese, which could be cheddar, colby jack, or even pepper jack. These cheese sticks don’t have the stretchy, peelable quality that string cheese does. So, if you’re looking for that fun, stringy texture, make sure you’re grabbing the mozzarella variety. Otherwise, you might just end up with a regular ol’ block of cheese disguised as a snack stick.