What Are Curds & Whey?

As most of us do when hearing about Little Miss Muffet, we wonder what those curds and whey really are. Here's the scoop: Milk naturally thickens and forms curds when left in a warm place or when a coagulant like rennet is added. Cutting the curds allows them to release water (whey). Eventually the whey is poured off, leaving only curds, which are then formed or pressed into rounds or other shapes and creating cheese. Miss Muffet probably ate a combo of fresh curds and whey. She may have added something sweet or savory or eaten them just plain.