The Holiday Cougar Gold Cheese Fiasco

EDITORS NOTE: IF I had only used the can opener seen in the above pic

- THIS whole story probably wouldn't have been written. More on that later

Cougar Gold cheese comes in a big tin can.

If you don’t know what this is, you should.

I’ll be honest - I’ve only heard of Cougar Gold Cheese. 

I haven’t had the opportunity to try this great cheese made in Pullman,Washington.

A local Wenatchee couple gifted me the locally known treasure - as a Christmas gift.

I looked at Wikipedia to learn more about Cougar Gold.

“Cougar Gold is an American Cheddar cheese produced at Ferdinand's Creamery on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, Washington. Like other cheeses sold at the creamery, Cougar Gold is notable for being sold exclusively in 30 oz (850 g) tin cans.”

 

Cougar Gold’s tradition of being sold in  tin cans has been around since the late 1930’s. Cans was the optimum way to store cheese since plastic wasn’t invented. 

I can speak from personal experience, that those Cougar Gold tin cans are rugged, child proof - and in my case, adult proof. 

Christmas Day, 2022. 

It's a joyful tradition at our house to host my in-laws, who live here in town. I remembered that we have the famous-Pullman made cheese to entertain our guests. Cliff, my father-in-law got his degree from Washington State University. This is gonna be a wonderful touch to a fun afternoon! 

I found our new agey - “Sharper Image-ish” black can opener that attaches onto cans very uniquely. 

I attached this new aged futuristic can opener to the big tin can. Took a couple turns. The can opener - fell off the thick tin edge. 

I put it back on - took another couple twists - same result. 
My wife suggests “Take your time and turn the can opener slowly” - I try doing that.

Same result. 

I THEN TRY TO USE MY STAINLESS STEEL CAN PUNCH - TO FORCE THE CAN OPEN - (Like my college days of desperately trying to open a can of Chunky Soup without a can opener.)

About 4 punches in, I realize that this is not the way to go. 

Jo, my mother-in-law makes an emergency call to my wife's brother, Kyle. He is expected to join us for dinner and is summoned to bring over the electric can opener. 

After this arrives - Cliff attempts to open it. I’m certain this will be a success.

[ADMISSION: This would have worked flawlessly IF we had started with the can opener mentioned above...not the space age...new age...neuvo can opener]

But, the tin lid is stubborn.

It.Won't.Come.Off.

The edges that were worked over by the first can opener doesn’t seem to want to cooperate.  The rugged tin lid is now pulled and tugged at - by needle nose pliers I found in the garage.

We have to have utmost care in this part of the assault - one slip and we’ll be gashed open - with a Christmas Day trip to the emergency room.

Finally - after almost an hour of twisting - punching - waiting - more twisting - pulling - The Cougar Gold Cheese tin lid finally concedes. Bits of tin shards are happily plucked out. (wow, there’s a fair bit of shards).

The slightly yellowish white colored cheese makes its final Christmas Day home on a fancy plate, usually reserved for occasions such as today. It's Christmas! Bring out the fine china!

I gotta say the Gold Sharp White Cheddar Cheese was really worth the struggle.

It has a sharp taste to it that paired well with our Holiday assortment of crackers. The white sharp taste is in the same ballpark of swiss or gouda cheese.

I highly recommend you use a quality electric or regular can-opener - that 98% of American households have in their kitchen.

You can find Cougar Gold Cheese tins at Safeway, Albertson’s, Amazon - and Pybus Market’s - D’Olivio Market (that we mentioned in the story that highlighted all the great tenants at Pybus.)

Click HERE to learn more about Cougar Gold Cheese