The Canned Cheese That’s Outlasted Trends—and Might Outlive Us All

Your Apocalypse Snack Board Just Found Its MVP

When you think “cheese in a can,” your brain probably jumps to that orange, pressurized goo you squirt onto crackers at parties you don’t want to be at. But what if we told you there’s a canned cheese out there that’s not only legit, but legendary—aged, sharp, nutty, and practically immortal?

Welcome to the cult of Cougar Gold—a cheese with the kind of origin story Marvel wishes it had.

Photo From: GoCougs.WSU.edu

Cheese, But Make It Academic

Cougar Gold isn’t made by a big dairy corporation or some hipster creamery in Brooklyn. Nope. This cheese comes straight out of Washington State University, thanks to a group of food science nerds who were trying to solve a World War II problem: how to get real cheese to U.S. troops without it turning into a biohazard.

While most cheeses are aged in porous materials like wax or cloth (which, yes, can crack and invite bacteria to the party), these researchers had a wild idea: put cheese in a tin can. But cheese expands as it ages, so they had to crack the code on how to let it mature without blowing the lid off.

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Can You Age Cheese at Home? I Tried It So You Don’t Have To

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Enter Dr. N.S. Golding—yes, the Golding in Cougar Gold. He developed a unique bacterial culture that still defines the cheese today, nearly 80 years later. The result? A sharp white cheddar with a rich, nutty flavor that develops over time—and doesn’t spoil as long as the can stays sealed and refrigerated. We're talking decades. Some fans on Reddit and cheese forums proudly show off their 20-year-old cans like fine wine.

Photo From: GoCougs.WSU.edu

Not Your Average Grocery Find

Each 30-ounce can (yes, can) of Cougar Gold sells for $33. That might sound steep, until you realize you’re buying a piece of culinary history that doubles as a science experiment and triples as your future snack board centerpiece.

The cheese is so beloved that WSU produces about 250,000 cans a year, with Cougar Gold being the star player. They also offer other flavors like smoky cheddar, dill garlic, sweet basil, and crimson fire, but Cougar Gold is the one fans rave about across Instagram, YouTube, and every food nerd corner of the internet.

Once opened, the countdown begins—you’ll want to eat it within the same window you would a regular block of cheddar. But trust us, that won’t be a problem. Try crumbling it onto garlic toast, melting it into mac and cheese, or pairing it with a bold red or crisp white wine. You’ll suddenly understand why people stockpile this stuff like it’s treasure.

Why It Belongs on Your Radar

In an era where we’re all a little obsessed with doomsday prepping, pantry upgrades, and ultra-Instagrammable snacks, Cougar Gold checks all the boxes:

• Insane shelf life? Check.

• Comes from a university lab? Yup.

• Has a fanbase that treats it like collectible Pokémon? Absolutely.

• Actually tastes amazing? That’s the kicker.

Cougar Gold isn’t just cheese in a can—it’s living proof that even if the world ends, your cheddar stash will still be thriving.