Curd
Curd is a dairy product obtained by curdling (coagulating) milk with rennet or an edible acidic substance such as lemon juice or vinegar and draining off the liquid portion, called whey.
Curd products vary by region and include cottage cheese, quark and paneer (the latter by definition being curdled with lemon juice, thus qualifying by some definitions as a vegetarian food).
Cheddar cheese curds are popular in Quebec and the Midwest in the United States. They are freshly made morsels of cheddar cheese before being pressed and aged. In Quebec, they are popularly served with french fries and gravy as poutine. In the U.S., they are breaded and fried or are eaten straight; these often squeak when bitten.
