Cheese Graters

A guide to cheese graters

A cheese grater is an indispensable tool for anyone who truly loves the taste and texture of Wisconsin cheese. Graters have been used for centuries to shred, slice, and grate cheese into a variety of textures for cooking and garnishing dishes. With the right cheese grater, you can quickly transform a wedge of cheese into fine ribbons, coarse shreds, or thin slices of milky goodness for whatever cheesy dish you have in mind.

Choosing the right cheese grater comes down to the type of cheese you’re grating, the size of shredded cheese you want to end up with, and your personal preference for the way you’ll use and interact with this essential cheese technology.

Wisconsin: Where cheese graters are essential

Here in Wisconsin, cheese graters are must-have tools for every true fan of cheese. After all, our cheesemakers produce more than 600 flavors, styles, and varieties of cheese, and we do our best to consume and cook with them all. That means preparing cheese in as many different ways as possible – and lots and lots of grating. We know that having the best cheese grater makes work easy – whether grating an aged Wisconsin parmesan or a delectable Wisconsin mozzarella  – and lets you spend more time enjoying the incredible flavor and indulgent texture of Wisconsin’s finest cheeses.

Everything to know about cheese graters

Most cheese graters are made from stainless steel. This highly durable material is resistant to rust and can maintain sharp edges despite frequent use. Stainless steel is also ideal for preventing cheese from sticking to the surface of the grater. Some graters, especially rasp-style microplanes, are made of ultra-sharp, surgical-grade stainless steel that stays sharper longer. You may also come across plastic graters, which are lighter and less prone to rust, but which may not perform as well with harder cheeses.

Types of cheese graters

There are several common types of cheese graters.

• Box grater. The box cheese grater is one of the most common cheese tools. The typical model has four sides with different types and sizes of grates. Course holes allow you to shred larger pieces of cheese for topping pizzas or salads. Fine holes work best for grating hard cheeses like parmesan into very small shreds. Slicing blades make it easy to thinly slice cheese for sandwiches or platters. And zesting blades are ideal for finely grating hard cheese.
• Microplane grater. This rasp-style grater is a long, flat tool with fine, sharp blades that are designed to grate hard cheeses like parmesan into very fine shreds. The microplane can also be used to grate spices, zest fruits, and create delicate, fluffy piles of cheese.
• Rotary grater. This cheese grater is designed to simplify the task of grating by placing the cheese in a small compartment and turning a crank that rotates a drum filled with grating blades. Rotary graters are ideal for grating hard cheeses directly over pastas and salads, and they provide extra protection for fingers from sharp edges.
• Flat grater. A flat grater, or paddle grater, is a flat piece of metal with holes for grating cheese. It’s essentially like having one side of the four-sided box grater. It’s often used for softer cheeses like a young cheddar or mozzarella. Flat graters are simple to store and are best used when less cheese is needed.
• Electric grater. These machines automate the grating process, allowing home cooks to grate large amounts of cheese quickly.

The origin of cheese graters

The first definitive evidence for cheese graters dates from the Aegean region, where graters have been recovered from tombs of warriors buried in the ninth century BCE. Graters are mentioned in Homer’s The Illiad, where a passage recounts goat cheese being grated into a large ornate cup containing wine as refreshment for Achilles’ messengers. More modern cheese graters date to the 1540s, when a Frenchman and an Englishman both claim to have invented a new form of a cheese grater.

Choosing a cheese grater

Consider these criteria when choosing the right grater for you.

• Sharpness. Ideally, your grater should cut through cheese with little resistance, making grating a safer and more pleasing experience.
• Stability. A box grater is a much more stable tool, allowing you to apply more force when shredding cheese. Microplane rasp-style graters are better for quick use than for applying lots of pressure.
• Size. Graters with coarse shreds produce cheese that will melt evenly. Lighter, finer shreds are ideal for cheeses like parmesan, but these finer blades can get clogged when used with soft cheese like mozzarella or cheddar.
• Ergonomics. Because grating cheese can be hard on the hands, you’ll want a grater that has a good and comfortable fit. A non-slip handle will offer a more secure grip, while rubber or silicone handles deliver extra comfort.
• Cleanup. Ease of cleaning is another important factor to consider. Many stainless steel graters are dishwasher-safe, making cleaning easier. Graters with finer blades or intricate parts may need more attention, while graters with removable parts may help make cleaning more convenient.

Cooking with grated cheese

Cheese graters help home chefs everywhere prepare some of the most beloved dishes more easily and successfully.

• Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that combines cooked pasta with a creamy cheese sauce, often made from grated cheeses like cheddar, gruyère, or parmesan reggiano. The cheese melts into the sauce, creating a rich, velvety texture that coats every piece of pasta.
• Quesadillas are a simple Mexican dish consisting of tortillas filled with melted cheese along with other ingredients like chicken, vegetables, or beans. Cheeses like queso oaxaca, monterey jack, queso quesadilla are grated and spread evenly inside the tortillas before being cooked on a griddle or skillet until crispy and golden.
• Cheese fondue is a Swiss and Alpine dish that combines melted cheese with wine and a touch of garlic. The grated cheese is melted in a fondue pot, creating a smooth, rich dipping sauce for bread, vegetables, or meats.
• Baked ziti is a staple Italian-American comfort food that features layers of pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, along with grated mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. The dish is baked until bubbly and golden brown, with the cheeses creating a luscious, melty top layer.
• French onion soup features caramelized onions simmered in broth, topped with crusty bread and a layer of grated gruyère or Swiss cheese. The soup is broiled until the cheese melts and becomes golden and bubbly.
• Cheesy garlic bread is made by spreading garlic butter on slices of bread, then topping them with grated mozzarella and parmesan before baking or broiling. The cheese melts into the bread, creating a gooey, savory topping.
• Pizza is one of the world’s most popular dishes that features grated cheese. A variety of cheeses can be used, including Wisconsin brick cheese if you’re in Detroit, as well as mozzarella, parmesan, provolone, and others, depending on the desired texture and flavor. The grated cheese melts over the pizza sauce and toppings, creating a delicious, cheesy layer.
• Lasagna is a classic Italian casserole layered with pasta, meat or vegetable filling, tomato sauce, and plenty of grated cheese, including mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta.
• Tacos are best served with a sprinkle of grated cheese that adds a rich, creamy element to the dish. Cheddar, monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese blend are commonly used to complement the spiciness of taco fillings.
• Cauliflower cheese is a comforting British dish. It features cauliflower florets baked in a creamy cheese sauce made with grated cheddar and topped with additional cheese before being baked until bubbly and golden.