Cheese strings are a popular snack food that typically contain mozzarella cheese. But how much cheese is actually in one of those skinny little sticks? Let’s take a closer look at the size and weight of cheese strings to find out.
What is a Cheese String?
A cheese string, also sometimes called a cheese stick, is a snack made of mozzarella cheese that has been heated and stretched out into a long, thin string. The stretching aligns the proteins in the cheese, giving it a stringy, chewy texture.
Cheese strings are a fun and portable snack for kids and adults alike. Major brands like Frigo Cheese Heads and Sargento are widely available at grocery stores. You’ll find cheese sticks stocked near other snacks like chips, crackers, and yogurt. They are usually displayed in single-serve packs.
In addition to mozzarella, some cheese string products also contain other cheese varieties like cheddar or Monterey jack. They may be flavored with ingredients like garlic and herbs or even coated in nuts. But generally, cheese strings contain mild and melty mozzarella as the main ingredient.
Serving Size of Cheese Strings
The most common single-serve cheese string package contains one stick that weighs around 0.75 ounces (21 grams). This is considered one serving.
Some product sizes and serving sizes you may see for cheese strings include:
- 1.5 ounce (42 gram) single cheese stick
- 1 ounce (28 gram) single stick
- 0.75 ounce (21 gram) individually wrapped cheese string
- 5 ounce (141 gram) multi-pack with 5 to 7 cheese sticks
- 8 ounce (226 gram) bag with 10 to 12 cheese strings
Ounces and grams are the most common units used to measure the weight and serving sizes of cheese strings. Certain brands may also list the length of the cheese strings in inches on the label.
Nutrition Facts for Cheese Strings
Here are some typical nutrition facts for a 0.75 ounce individually wrapped cheese stick:
| Amount Per Serving | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Fat | 5g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Sodium | 190mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | less than 1g |
| Protein | 7g |
As you can see, a single 0.75 ounce cheese stick contains 70 calories and 7 grams of protein, making it a convenient protein-rich snack. It also provides calcium, but is high in saturated fat and sodium.
How Many Ounces in a Cheese String?
Now that we’ve looked at typical cheese string sizes and nutrition information, how many ounces of cheese are really inside one skinny stick?
The most common single-serve cheese string package contains 0.75 ounces (21 grams) of cheese. So if you grab a cheese stick for a quick snack, you’re eating right around 3/4 of an ounce of mozzarella cheese.
This is equal to:
- 21 grams of cheese
- About 1/8 of a cup of shredded mozzarella
- 1.5 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
Some jumbo cheese sticks may contain up to 1.5 ounces (42 grams) of cheese per stick. While smaller 0.5 – 0.6 ounce (14 – 16 gram) individually wrapped sticks are also available for kids.
Volume and Dimensions
In addition to weight in ounces and grams, examining the volume and dimensions of a cheese stick can provide more insight into how much cheese is inside.
A typical single-serve cheese string has the following volume and dimensions:
- 1/4 cup volume
- Around 6 inches long
- Up to 1/2 inch wide
- Roughly 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick
So while a cheese stick may look skinny, its puffed up texture actually gives it a decent 1/4 cup volume. When pulled into strings the cheese also expands to a surprising length!
Equivalents to Cheese String Ounces
To put the amount of cheese found in popular cheese stick sizes into perspective, here are some equivalents:
- 0.75 ounce cheese stick = 1.5 tablespoons shredded mozzarella
- 1 ounce cheese stick = 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 1.5 ounce jumbo cheese stick = 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
So snacking on a 0.75 – 1 ounce cheese string provides about the same amount of cheese as what you’d add to top a bowl of pasta or baked potato.
Cost Per Ounce
One final way to analyze the amount of cheese you’re getting in a cheese string is by looking at the cost per ounce. This takes the total package price and divides it by the total ounces.
Here are some average costs per ounce for different cheese string products:
- Individually wrapped cheese sticks: $0.50 – $0.75 per ounce
- Multi-pack cheese strings: $0.35 – $0.60 per ounce
- Large bag of cheese sticks: $0.25 – $0.50 per ounce
Buying larger quantities typically provides a lower cost per ounce. But for convenience, the single-serve packs make great portable snacks, even if they cost a bit more per ounce.
Do Cheese Strings Shrink When Baked?
You may be wondering – if you baked up some cheese strings, would they shrink significantly or retain their full size and ounces? Let’s take a look.
When exposed to heat, cheese begins to soften and melt. The proteins start to breakdown and the fats separate. So when baked, cheese strings will get softer and stretchier as the heat transforms their dense texture.
However, cheese doesn’t tend to reduce in volume or shrink down substantially when baked. It simply becomes molten and oozes into a thick, flowing mass. The weight in ounces will remain nearly the same after baking.
For example, if you take a 1 ounce cheese stick and bake it, you’ll still end up with right around 1 ounce of melted cheesy goodness once it cools. The cheese becomes more viscous when melted, but the overall quantity doesn’t decrease.
So rest assured that baking won’t drastically alter the ounce weight of cheese sticks. Their transformed gooey texture may make them seem smaller, but the total amount of cheese stays the same.
Do Cheese Strings or Cheese Whips Contain More Cheese?
Cheese whips are another popular cheesy snack made with mozzarella string cheese. But do cheese whips or regular cheese strings contain more cheese in each serving?
Cheese whips are made by twisting and braiding together multiple mozzarella cheese strings to form a puffy cheese rope. The twisting process integrates air into the cheese, giving it a light and fluffy texture.
Most cheese whips contain around 0.75 – 1 ounce of cheese per serving. So they are fairly comparable to the amount of cheese found in regular string cheese sticks, which also provide right around 0.75 ounces of cheese per stick.
In the end, there is no significant difference in the total cheese content between cheese strings versus cheese whips. They both deliver a similar snacking portion of stretchy mozzarella.
Should You Refrigerate Cheese Strings?
Properly storing your cheese strings will help them maintain quality and freshness for longer. So should you refrigerate cheese sticks?
The answer is yes – for best quality, always refrigerate cheese strings and keep them stored at 40°F or below. The cold temperature helps slow down spoilage.
Cheese is a perishable food due to its high moisture and nutrient content. Refrigeration extends the shelf life of cheese strings by slowing the growth of bacteria and mold.
Refrigerated cheese strings will maintain optimal texture and flavor for around 1-2 months past the sell-by date. In comparison, cheese sticks left at room temperature may start developing off-flavors within 1-2 weeks.
For extra convenience, many individually wrapped cheese sticks can be safely kept in a lunch box or bag without refrigeration for up to 8 hours before opening. But once opened, uneaten portions should be promptly refrigerated.
Storing cheese strings properly helps lock in that savory, melty mozzarella flavor and texture that makes them such a tasty snack!
Can You Freeze Cheese Strings?
Freezing is another option for preserving your cheese strings if you buy them in multi-packs or large bags. But how does freezing affect their taste and texture?
The good news is that yes, you can absolutely freeze cheese sticks! With proper freezing methods, cheese strings can be frozen and thawed while still retaining excellent quality.
Here are some tips for successfully freezing cheese strings:
- Make sure cheese sticks are not past their sell-by date before freezing.
- Tightly rewrap any opened packages.
- For best texture, freeze cheese sticks in their original packaging.
- If repackaging, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
- Freeze immediately at 0°F or below.
- Avoid freezer burn by minimizing air exposure.
- Once frozen, cheese strings can be stored for 2-3 months.
Thaw frozen cheese sticks overnight in the refrigerator. Letting them thaw slowly prevents the cheese from getting mushy. Properly frozen and thawed cheese strings will taste fresh and maintain their signature stringy bite.
Conclusion
From looking at nutrition facts, volume, dimensions, and cost per ounce, we’ve uncovered that a standard 0.75 ounce or 1 ounce individually wrapped cheese stick provides a nice single-serve portion of mozzarella cheese.
Cheese strings supply protein, calcium, and that irresistible melty and stringy texture we love – all in a handy on-the-go form. Keep them fresh and flavorful by refrigerating after opening. And utilize your freezer to conveniently store bulk packages.
So next time cheese string cravings strike, you can grab one of these skinny little snacks knowing just how much cheesy goodness is inside. When handled properly, cheese strings can be a nutritious and delicious part of a well-balanced diet.
