Gritty stuff on cheese from the delicatessen?

Question

Well, I don't no quite how to ask this, but here goes.

When I get cheese from the delicatessen, sometimes is it fine - nice and smooth feeling. But sometimes, the cheese feels bumpy or gritty. You can scrape the gritty stuff off with a knife, but it is a pain. Does anybody no what I am talkin about, and is the gritty stuff harmful? What is it??? This happens over and over! Sometimes the cheese is fine and smooth, and sometimes it has that annoying gritty stuff on it. And ya never no till AFTER ya get it home, of course!! :O

~Cindy! :)

I want to add that it is cut on a clean machine. They clean their machines at least daily, and only cheese is cut on the cheese slicers. :)

Answer 1

Cindy,

The gritty stuff on the cheese is little crumbs of cheese. Sometimes especially white american cheese is dryer than other times.

When it is dry the crumbs created by the blades cutting action are very small. This is the grit. Its actually perfect, cause you know that you can at least separate the slices of cheese easily since the cheese isn't too moist.

When the cheese is moist, the crumbs or grit, is much larger creating little balls which build up at the base of the cover on the slicer. That is when your cheese is smooth, but it will like to stick together.

Answer 2

some cheese makers use a salt rub that makes the skin of the cheese harden as it ages which protects the cheese from going bad. sometimes they use 'cheese cloth' a filmy type fabric that is wrapped around the cheese or they use a wax dip. its all for sealing and protecting the cheese. it won't hurt you, just really salty so just cut it off.

Answer 3

most likely it is residue from whatever they sliced beforehand. probably some other kind of cheese that is a bit crumbly. Sounds very annoying, but most likely not harmful.

Answer 4

Sounds like you need to ask them to make sure they slice it on a cleaned machine. . .may be other deli meat particles on your cheese.

Answer 5

I SORRY BUT I CAN NOT ADD ANYTHING TO TRUTH THAT
THE CHIEF WAS DONE SAID IT ALL. GOOD ANSWER CHIEF.