For years, cheese has been a popular delicacy, and it is much more fascinating when you learn some of its incredible facts. Cheese is full of surprises, from its history to its wide range of variants.
Cheese has something for everyone, whether it is used as a pizza topping or as the centerpiece of a charcuterie board.
Because of its history and adaptability, it is a common sight in kitchens all around the world. These amazing facts about cheese will increase your appreciation.
15 Amazing Facts About Cheese
1. Cheese Dates Back Over 7,000 Years
Ancient pottery dating back 7,000 years has been found to have evidence of cheese-making.
It was probably found by accident by early humans while they were preserving milk in animal stomachs.
As a result, one of the oldest foods still consumed today was created.
2. The World Has Over 1,800 Cheese Varieties
There is an incredible variety of cheeses, ranging from sharp Parmesan to smooth Brie.
Depending on the milk and technique used, each type has a different taste as well as texture.
Artisanal cheeses from places like France and Italy are well-known.
3. Mozzarella is the Most Popular Cheese
Around the world, mozzarella is adored for its mild flavor and stretchiness. With the rise of pizza, its popularity soared, and it became a household favorite.
The smooth, creamy texture of fresh mozzarella makes it particularly valued.
4. Some Cheeses are Naturally Blue
Safe, edible mold gives blue cheeses like Gorgonzola and Roquefort their blue stripes.
The cheese gets its powerful flavor from this mold that grows as it ages. For balance, these cheeses are frequently served with nuts or honey.
5. The Smelliest Cheese is Vieux-Boulogne
Scientific researches have confirmed that this French cheese is famous for its strong odor.
Many cheese fans admire its thick and creamy flavor despite its pungent scent. Bacteria on the rind during fermentation are the source of its odor.
6. Cheese is Mildly Addictive
Casein, a protein found in cheese, breaks down to release casomorphins.
These substances have the ability to make the brain feel pleasant. Perhaps this explains why it is so difficult to resist a second piece of cheesy pizza.
7. The Largest Cheese Wheel Weighed Over 4,000 Pounds
In 2018, Wisconsin produced a cheese wheel that weighed more than 4,400 pounds. The milk used to make it came from thousands of cows.
This big cheese came to represent Wisconsin’s passion for dairy products.
8. Cheese Production is a Global Industry
The world’s top producer of cheese is the United States, followed by France and Germany. More than 600 types of cheese are produced in Wisconsin alone.
A key component of many economies around the world is the production of cheese.
9. Donkey Milk Cheese is the Most Expensive
Pule cheese, which is produced from the milk of Balkan donkeys, costs more than $600 per pound.
Because donkey milk is difficult to produce in large amounts, it is uncommon, adding to the amazing facts about cheese.
In Serbia, this opulent cheese is produced in small quantities.
10. Some Cheeses are Meant to Age for Decades
Over time, cheeses like Parmesan and aged Gouda develop nuanced flavors.
You can mature these cheeses for 10 years or longer. Their sharpness and distinctive textures are enhanced with age.
11. Cheese is Celebrated with Festivals
Rare cheeses can be tasted and purchased at cheese festivals held in several countries.
Cheese is even made into a sport in places like England’s Cheese Rolling Festival.
Cheese followers from all around the world come to these festivities.
12. France and Greece Consume the Most Cheese
More cheese is consumed per person in France and Greece than in any other country, highlighting the amazing facts about cheese.
A mainstay of their diets, cheese is used in everything from advanced meals to easy snacks.
13. Cheese Contains Essential Nutrients
Cheese is a nutrient-dense option because it is high in calcium, protein, and vitamins. It can be heavy in fat, but you can still benefit from it if you eat it in moderation.
Cheese is a common source of a rapid energy boost.
14. Astronauts Take Cheese to Space
Cheese has been transported into orbit to observe its response to microgravity.
It is a useful meal choice for astronauts because of its small size and extended shelf life.
15. Cheese Has Its Own Museum
Cheese is the exclusive focus of Amsterdam’s Cheese Museum.
In addition to tasting Dutch varieties, visitors may observe traditional tools and learn about its history. For any cheese lover, it is a must-see such facts about cheese.
Bottom Line
These amazing facts about cheese highlight just how interesting and flexible this cuisine is.
From its historical origins to modern inventions, cheese has captured the attention of people all around the world.
Cheese has a universal appeal, whether it is eaten on a platter or in a sandwich, fresh or aged. We value each taste much more after learning about its origins and manufacturing process.
Remember the amazing facts about cheese origins the next time you eat it.
