Click here for more kitchen tips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnbzopdwFrnbw7lMXc3_Ry36bEucTzGdvWatch our Equipment Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WprgFWLgguM&list=PLE720EF13D4C23DDCEXPERIMENT: We purchased Cabot Creamery cheddars aged for three, 16, and 24 months (all were sealed against evaporation during aging) and baked slices from each block on top of inverted metal cups that we preheated in a 175-degree oven until each slice had melted.RESULTS: The three-month-old cheddar melted smoothly, evenly flowing down the cup’s sides. Meanwhile, the 16-month-old cheddar showed signs of clumping as it slid down the metal, and the 24-month-old cheese actually broke into two large pieces and never melted.EXPLANATION: Moisture plays a part in how cheese melts, but the state of its protein—specifically, its network of casein protein—affects it most. In freshly made cheeses, casein proteins are in tightly wound clusters, allowing for little interaction with one another. As cheese ages, it goes through a process called proteolysis, in which bonds between individual casein molecules are “snipped,” allowing the clusters to unwind and bind with other casein molecules, forming a matrix. Early in this process, the matrix is flexible, allowing young cheeses to melt smoothly. With time, the proteins bond together tighter, forming a stronger network that requires more heat to melt and is less flexible when melted. This can result in more separated fat and clumps, as with our older samples.ABOUT US: Located in Boston’s Seaport District in the historic Innovation and Design Building, America's Test Kitchen features 15,000 square feet of kitchen space including multiple photography and video studios. It is the home of Cook’s Illustrated magazine and Cook’s Country magazine and is the workday destination for more than 60 test cooks, editors, and cookware specialists. Our mission is to test recipes over and over again until we understand how and why they work and until we arrive at the best version.If you like us, follow us:http://americastestkitchen.comhttp://facebook.com/americastestkitchenhttp://twitter.com/testkitchenhttp://instagram.com/testkitchenhttp://pinterest.com/testkitchen
