Definition & Meaning of "cheese press"

What is a "cheese press"?

A cheese press is a kitchen tool used in the process of cheese-making to apply pressure to curds, expelling excess whey and shaping the cheese into a desired form. It typically consists of a wooden or metal frame with a hole-filled mold inside and a mechanism for applying pressure, such as a lever or screw. To use a cheese press, freshly formed cheese curds are placed into the mold, and then the press is applied to compress the curds, gradually increasing pressure over time to remove moisture and shape the cheese. Cheese presses come in various sizes and designs, ranging from simple homemade versions to sophisticated commercial models.