# String cheese

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/String_cheese
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/String_cheese.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_cheese
> Source revision: 1356725977
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Elongated type of cheese

For the American jam band, see [The String Cheese Incident](/source/The_String_Cheese_Incident).

String cheese Traditional Korbáčiky from Slovakia Media: String cheese

**String cheese** is any of several different types of [cheese](/source/Cheese) where the manufacturing process aligns the proteins in the cheese, making it stringy.

When [mozzarella](/source/Mozzarella) is heated to 60 °C (140 °F) and then stretched, the [milk](/source/Milk) [proteins](/source/Protein) line up.[1][2] It is then possible to peel strings or strips from the larger cheese.

## Regional variants

### United Kingdom and Western Europe

In the United Kingdom and Ireland,[3] a popular brand of string cheese is Cheestrings, manufactured by [Kerry Dairy Ireland](/source/Kerry_Group).[4] The cheese is manufactured using grass-fed cows' milk which is matured into a mild flavour. The cheese is heated, stretched and then cut to size for retailing.[5] From 2004 to 2016, Kerry expanded their operations to continental Europe and currently export to France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Spain and Italy.[6]

Cheestrings first appeared in the UK during the 90s and originally included cheddar, smoky bacon and pizza flavour.[7][8] A later variant was the two-color Twister made from [cheddar](/source/Cheddar_cheese) and [mozzarella](/source/Mozzarella). The brand's mascot is a cartoon character called Mr. Strings.[9][10][11]

### Central and Eastern Europe

In [Slovakia](/source/Slovakia), [korbáčiky](/source/Korb%C3%A1%C4%8Dik) are made,[12] which is a salty [sheep's milk](/source/Sheep's_milk) cheese, available smoked or unsmoked. It is traditionally made by hand-pulling steamed sheep's cheese into strings and braiding them. Cow milk versions are also available.[13][14] The town of [Zázrivá](/source/Z%C3%A1zriv%C3%A1) is known as the center of the production of this cheese. Similar cheeses are found also in the adjacent regions of South [Poland](/source/Poland).

### West Asia

In Turkey, the most common type of string cheese is dil peyniri ("tongue cheese"), a fresh white cheese made from cow's milk, traditionally in the provinces of [Bilecik](/source/Bilecik_Province) and [Bursa](/source/Bursa_Province). The stringy texture of dil becomes even more prominent when the cheese is melted.[15]

Armenian traditional [tel panir](/source/Tel_panir)

In [Armenia](/source/Armenia), traditional string cheese, [chechil](/source/Chechil), is made with a white base. The type of milk used usually comes from an aged goat or sheep depending upon the production methods of the area of choice.[16] It is seasoned with [black cumin](/source/Nigella_sativa)[17] and [mahleb](/source/Mahleb), and is traditionally sold in the form of a braided endless loop.[18] The cheese forms into strings due to how it is pulled during processing. It is also made in [Syria](/source/Syria) and [Turkey](/source/Turkey), both countries with significant Armenian populations.

In [Syria](/source/Syria), string cheese is known as [jibneh mshalleheh](/source/Tresse_cheese). It contains spices such as [mahleb](/source/Mahleb), [cumin](/source/Cumin), [anise](/source/Anise), and [caraway](/source/Caraway).[19]

[Russia](/source/Russia) is the primary importer of chechil, having an 80% market share for Armenian cheese exports, attributed to its sizeable Armenian diasporas.[20][21]

In [Georgia](/source/Georgia_(country)) string cheese is known as tenili ([ტენილი ყველი](/source/%E1%83%A2%E1%83%94%E1%83%9C%E1%83%98%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98_%E1%83%A7%E1%83%95%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98) [[ka](https://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%83%A2%E1%83%94%E1%83%9C%E1%83%98%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98_%E1%83%A7%E1%83%95%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98)], [Тенили](/source/%D0%A2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8) [[ru](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8)]). It is made from fermented [sheep](/source/Sheep)'s milk and [cream](/source/Cream) allowed to mature for 60 days in a salted and dried [veal](/source/Veal) stomach.

### Mexico

In [Mexico](/source/Mexico), the first type of string cheese was invented in 1885 by Leobarda Castellanos García at 14 years old. A very popular type of string cheese called [quesillo](/source/Quesillo) is sold today in balls of various sizes. It is also known as [Oaxaca cheese](/source/Oaxaca_cheese) or "queso Oaxaca", referring to the place where it was invented, and now it's widely popular in all Mexican territories.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### United States

American string cheese

In the [United States](/source/United_States), string cheese generally refers to snack-sized servings of low-moisture [mozzarella](/source/Mozzarella). This form of string cheese is roughly cylindrical, about 6 inches (15 cm) long and less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.

The cheese used is commonly a form of mozzarella, or a combination of mozzarella and [cheddar](/source/Cheddar_cheese). This type of string cheese gets its name because it can be eaten by pulling strips of cheese from the cylinder along its length and eating these strings.[22] It was invented in 1976 by Frank Baker.[23]

### Central America and Caribbean

In the [Dominican Republic](/source/Dominican_Republic) "Queso de Hoja" is produced in the form of a ball. It is mostly served with toast or crackers.

### Oceania

In Australia, string cheese is sold by the [Bega Group](/source/Bega_Group) and is called Bega Stringers.[24][25]

## See also

- [Food portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Food)

- [Armenian cuisine](/source/Armenian_cuisine)

- [List of cheeses](/source/List_of_cheeses)

- [List of stretch-curd cheeses](/source/List_of_stretch-curd_cheeses)

- *[Pasta filata](/source/Pasta_filata)*

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["What Makes String Cheese Stringy?"](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/16/string-cheese_n_1423938.html). *[HuffPost](/source/HuffPost)*. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Julie R. Thomson (6 March 2017), [*The Real Difference Between String Cheese And Mozzarella Cheese*](http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/string-cheese-vs-mozzarealla-cheese_us_58add1f3e4b0d0a6ef472558), retrieved 16 February 2018

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Kerry opens new cheestrings factory in Ireland](https://www.foodbev.com/news/kerry-opens-new-cheestrings-facility-in-ireland)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Kerry Group"](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kerry_Group&oldid=1296248544), *Wikipedia*, 18 June 2025, retrieved 19 October 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Lunchbox treats Ireland](https://www.dailyedge.ie/90s-lunchbox-treats-ireland-2761429-May2016/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Kerry eyes European market](https://www.just-food.com/news/kerry-group-eyes-more-european-markets-for-cheestrings/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-auto1_7-0)** ["31 foods that made being a kid in the nineties so damn good | Metro News"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171014074332/https://metro.co.uk/2014/11/10/31-foods-that-made-being-a-kid-in-the-nineties-so-damn-good-4942418/). 14 October 2017. Archived from [the original](https://metro.co.uk/2014/11/10/31-foods-that-made-being-a-kid-in-the-nineties-so-damn-good-4942418/) on 14 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Cheestrings Pizza"](https://stringsandthings.com/our-products/cheestrings-pizza/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Kerry Group - Strings & Things"](https://stringsandthings.com/our-story/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Daily Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/shoppers-cry-life-changing-luncbox-32600790)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [24 year old cheestrings found in Tesco warehouse](https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2024/07/01/its-older-than-me-tesco-worker-discovers-24-year-old-cheestrings-whilst-clearing-out-stores-warehouse/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Slovak Cheeses – The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110224023604/http://www.fgslovakia.com/2007/11/9/slovak-cheeses). Archived from [the original](http://www.fgslovakia.com/2007/11/9/slovak-cheeses) on 24 February 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Versatility of sheep milk – Typical Slovak craftsmanship, folk skills and traditions – Slovak Folk Culture Through Amateur Eyes](https://web.archive.org/web/20030405233846/http://www.sazp.sk/parabow/parabow2/traditions/topics/sheepmilk.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Orava natives cheesed off by Polish competition for beloved wares"](https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20004390/orava-natives-cheesed-off-by-polish-competition-for-beloved-wares.html). *[The Slovak Spectator](/source/The_Slovak_Spectator)*. 12 February 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Dil (Dil peyniri)](https://www.tasteatlas.com/dil-cheese). [TasteAtlas](/source/TasteAtlas), 8 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["AOH food – String cheese"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110928054607/http://artofhacking.com/aohfood/59000/59083-stringcheese.htm). Archived from [the original](http://artofhacking.com/aohfood/59000/59083-stringcheese.htm) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Middle Eastern salad"](http://archive.boston.com/ae/food/articles/2007/04/11/middle_eastern_salad/). *[The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe)*. 11 April 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Armenian String Cheese Braided String Cheese Angel Hair Fine Tresses Mshallaleh Mediterranean"](https://www.karlacti.com/angel-hair-mshallaleh.php). *www.karlacti.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [https://www.tasteatlas.com/jibneh-mshallaleh](https://www.tasteatlas.com/jibneh-mshallaleh)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Cheese in Armenia Trade | The Observatory of Economic Complexity"](https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/cheese/reporter/arm#bespoke-title-1146). *OEC Profiles*. 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2025. In 2023, Armenia exported a total of $11.1M in Cheese, primarily to Russia ($8.84M), United States ($1.71M), and Georgia ($290k).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Armenia - Cheese production and export supply chain"](https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/856631517565616040/armenia-cheese-production-and-export-su). *World Bank Group*. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2025. Russia and the United States are the main export markets for Armenian cheese exporters. The main consumers of Armenian cheeses in foreign markets are Armenians in the diaspora.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["What Makes String Cheese Stringy?"](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/16/string-cheese_n_1423938.html). Kitchen Daily. *[HuffPost](/source/HuffPost)*. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Basu, Tanya (21 November 2014). ["The Secret Life of String Cheese"](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/11/the-secret-life-of-string-cheese/383001/). *[The Atlantic](/source/The_Atlantic)*. [Atlantic Media](/source/Atlantic_Media). Retrieved 23 November 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["String Cheese"](http://www.begacheese.com.au/Static/Default.aspx?Page=cebd99d4-28db-4a16-a0da-e5f578ff2af5). *Bega Cheese*.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Stringers Cheddar"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130409223828/http://www.bega.net.au/products/cheese/kids-snacks/stringers-cheddar/). *Bega Cheese*. Archived from [the original](http://www.bega.net.au/products/cheese/kids-snacks/stringers-cheddar/) on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.

## External links

- [Process of making mozzarella cheese](http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5567464/description.html); [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121011123934/http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5567464/description.html) 11 October 2012 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) — US Patent 5567464

- ["Kraft Polly-O String Cheese"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150814093439/http://www.kraftbrands.com/pollyostringcheese/products.html). *Kraft Brands*. Archived from [the original](http://www.kraftbrands.com/pollyostringcheese/products.html) on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.

v t e American cheeses Types Kraft Singles Baby Swiss Bergenost Brick Cheese curd Colby Colby-Jack Cream cheese Creole cream cheese D'Isigny Farmer Hoop Humboldt Fog Kunik Liederkranz Maytag Blue Monterey Jack Muenster Pinconning Red Hawk String Regions Wisconsin cheese

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [String cheese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_cheese) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_cheese?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.