Cheesecloth
Cheesecloth is a coarse, loosely woven 100 % cotton cloth, created using carded yarns. It is named "cheesecloth" because its original use was for pressing cheese curds. The curds and whey were gathered up in the cheesecloth and squeezed. The whey dripped out through holes in the fabric and the curds stayed in, to be condensed and left in a cool room for weeks or years to become cheese.
Cheesecloth is available in at least seven different grades, from open to extra fine weave. (Grade is measured by the number of threads per inch in either direction.) Cheesecloth is also known as gauze weave, tobacco cloth, or, when an applied finish is added, it is referred to as buckram, crinoline or bunting.
Cheesecloth CharacteristicsCheesecloth is a lightweight, thin, loosely woven natural cotton cloth with the color of unbleached cotton. Cheesecloth has a gauze quality and an unfinished edge. Cheesecloth won't fall apart when wet and, when used for culinary purposes will not flavor the food it touches.
History of CheeseclothIn the 17th and 18th centuries, cheesecloth was produced in the town of Le Mans, France and exported to Italy, Spain and the West Indies. With the decline of the cheesecloth industry in about 1789, Le Mans lost much of its population due to economic difficulties.
During the 1960s and 1970s, cheesecloth was a very popular material for the design of blouses and dresses.
What is Cheesecloth used for?Cheesecloth is primarily used to drain large curd cheeses and line hard cheese molds when pressing cheeses. Cheesecloth also has a variety of alternative culinary uses including straining liquids, forming packets for storing herbs and spices, removing large chunks from fluids and draining soups and sauces. Unfinished cheesecloth is used for covering tobacco plants, tea bags and wiping cloths. Finished cheesecloth is used for curtains, bandages, dust cloths, hat lining, surgical gauze, cheap bunting, fly nets and food wrapping.
Cheesecloth is also used to apply stain and to polish surfaces. Old time craftsmen used to use cheesecloth to strain paints and varnishes to achieve a smoother, finer look. Cheesecloth is generally a great all purpose cloth for cleaning and wiping surfaces and walls.
Cheesecloth washing and care
Cheesecloth should be hand washed to retain its shape.
Iron into shape after washing, using a cool iron.
Do not dry clean.
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