At What pH do Curds "Squeak" ?

[rsterne]

How low does the pH have to drop before curds "squeak" when chewed?....

Bob

[Aris]

From what I've gathered, 5.3-5.4. I don't use a pH meter, I go by looks, smell and taste. The curd should look like cooked chicken breast and smell/taste slightly sour.

[Chetty]

The squeak of curds is more about the calcium causing friction on the teeth.  There's alot that goes with that, temp ph affect calcium.  That's why fresh cheddar curds squeak but once put in fridge they dont.  Put in microwave for a few seconds and they'll squeak again. 

[rsterne]

I'm talking about fresh curds.... I am hoping that during a make I can get an idea of pH by when the curds start to squeak....

Bob

[mikekchar]

For traditional cheese curds, you want the same as a cheddar -- about 5.3.  Not sure if it strictly matches where it starts to squeak, though.