If You Grew Up In The South, Odds Are, You Used To Eat This Crunchy, Cheesy Snack - Tasting Table

"When attempting to trace the history of cheese straws, thrifty southern cooks in the late 1700s cut and made crispy cheese straws using leftover dough and sharp cheddar cheese. Incorporating cheese in this cracker helped keep it from going bad in the hotter temperatures found in the humid South. As southerners carved a reputation for hospitality, the popularity of these snacks also spread. Cheese straws particularly gained fame the 19th century, appearing in a White House cookbook and presented to influential guests."

"Cheese straws can make themselves equally at home at upscale wine tastings as on a picnic blanket in the park. The thickness of cheese straws can range from paper thin to thick enough to serve as a vessel for creamy hummus. Recipes can be flavored with a variety of spices and herbs and can make a fine addition to appetizer spreads and happy hour gatherings."

Cheese straws are a savory Southern snack made from buttery dough and sharp cheddar baked into crunchy twists. Origins are unclear, with possible links to the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain, and the snack appears in both casual and upscale settings. Thickness varies from paper-thin to sturdy for dips; recipes accommodate spices, herbs, and fillings like creamy hummus. Historically, thrifty southern cooks in the late 1700s used leftover dough and cheddar to preserve ingredients in humid climates, boosting the snack's popularity through the 19th century, including appearances in a White House cookbook. Puff pastry offers a quick shortcut, while many bakers prefer scratch recipes.

Read at Tasting Table