Product FAQ's: Cheese and Charcuterie

Question about the best cheese ever? Read on for more info.

I just placed my order online. When will I receive my shipment and how is it shipped?

Order will be fulfilled within a week and shipped within 2-3 weeks from day of purchase. 

If it has been over 3 weeks from the date of your receipt please email us at orders@goldathletics.com.

Will I received tracking when my order ships?

Yes, Tracking is emailed to you once the order has been fulfilled.  Please be sure to check your spam folder.

How are orders shipped?

Shipped either USPS or FedEx. Our fulfillment center chooses the carrier that will deliver most quickly, depending on their proximity to the fulfillment center.

What is a cheese curd?

Cheese curds are fresh pieces of cheese collected before it is dried and pressed into larger pieces. They have a mild, fresh, salty taste and high moisture content. You can eat them plain as a snack, deep fry them, or cook with them. Our curds are made from fresh cheddar.

My cheese is warm and/or the ice packs are melted, can I still eat it?

Good news! Although our cheese is a perishable product, it does not need to be kept chilled throughout the shipping process. If temperature is a concern, we will ship your order with ice packs. Just make sure to refrigerate any perishable items upon arrival! It is normal for the cheese to arrive warm or at room temperature. The only way the cheese becomes dangerous to eat is if it has grown mold or spoiled. If the cheese has been left warm for too long during shipping, you will notice an orangey/yellow sheen on the outside upon arrival that doesn’t go away when the cheese is chilled. This doesn’t affect the safety of the cheese, but it does impact the taste. If any part of your order arrives damaged or spoiled, please contact us at orders@goldathletics.com so that we can arrange a replacement.

There was no ice in my order.

Our cheese is a hearty product that does not need to be shipped with ice if the temperature remains below 60 degrees Fahrenheit during shipping. If your cheese is melted or spoiled, please contact us at orders@goldathletics.com with your order information and pictures of the affected products.

How long will my cheese last in the fridge? Can I freeze it?

Our blocks of cheese will last 8-12 months unopened in the refrigerator if they are refrigerated upon arrival. They should not be frozen as it can ruin the texture and taste. The big exception is our cheese curds. Curds are good unopened in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks but can be safely frozen due to their high moisture content. Cheese curds can be frozen for 2-3 months.

There's white stuff on my cheese, is it mold?

If you notice a white buildup on any of our smoked and aged cheeses, don’t worry! It’s not mold. What you are seeing is calcium lactate, a salt that naturallyrises to the surface of cheese during the natural aging process. It doesn’t have much of a taste but can sometimes be a little salty or crunchy. It is completely safe to eat! Mold is usually blue or green and will be more localized in shape. If you aren’t sure if what you are seeing is calcium lactate or mold, contact us at orders@goldathletics.com and our cheese experts will help you out. Please include a picture if possible so that we can help you more efficiently.

Are your products gluten free?

All of our hard cheeses except one are gluten-free, and so are our cheese curds. Trappiste Ale Washed Gouda is the only cheese we have that may have trace amounts of gluten. Our Cheese Spreads are NOT gluten free. Of our non-cheese products our jams, salami, and caramels are all gluten free.

What kind of milk do you use, and how are the cows treated?

All of our cheeses are made with pasteurized cow’s milk. We only use rBST free milk from family farms in Wisconsin.We want everyone who works with us to be treated well, and that includes the cows! The farmers who provide the milk for our cheeses feel they have an ethical and moral obligation to be attentive to all aspects of their cows' health and well-being. They follow strict standards in how the cows are housed and treated.

Is the cheese vegetarian?

All of our base cheeses are 100% vegetarian because they are made with vegetable rennet. This does not affect the nutritional value or taste of the cheese. The only non-vegetarian cheeses we offer have add-ins like bacon that are clearly listed in the product name, description, and nutritional label.

Is your cheese kosher?

Our cheese is not kosher certified.

Do you have low sodium/low fat cheese?

We do not offer any low sodium or low-fat cheeses. Our lowest sodium cheese is our Wisconsin Gruyere with 130mg/serving. Most of our cheeses are closer to 170mg/serving. The fat content is on average about 9g/serving.

Where can I find Nutritional Information?

CLICK HERE to view or download our printable PDF

Are the cheese shelf-stable?

No, our cheeses are not shelf stable. The cheese should be kept in a cool, dry area consistently below 60°F to maintain its best taste and texture. Harder, older cheeses like the Rhapsody, Northwoods Parmesan, and 8-Year Aged Cheddar will keep a little longer outside the refrigerator because of their relatively low moisture content but should still be kept cold long-term.

 

If there are any further inquiries or issues that haven't been addressed above, please feel free to reach out to us via email at orders@goldathletics.com.