Posted on 06/04/2023 7:24:01 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
June 4 is National Cheese Day. Not to be confused with other popular cheese related holidays like grilled cheese day, cheesecake day, or mac and cheese day. This day is in reverence of the queen of all dairy, the big cheese.
Cheese and its many varieties are celebrated on National Cheese Day on June 4.
History of National Cheese Day
Cheese making is an ancient, some might even say sacred, craft. So ancient in fact it predates recorded history. It is speculated that the magic of cheese making began somewhere around 8000BCE shortly after the domestication of animals. Archeological digs have found evidence of cheese around the world including strainers coated in milk-fat molecules in Kuyavia, Poland dated around 5500BCE, murals in Egypt dated at 2000BCE, and an artifact of preserved cheese in Xinjiang, China believed to be more than 3,000 years old! European Imperialism took their styles of cheese through Asia, sub saharan Africa, and eventually to the Americas.
The most popular cheese of all is (obviously) mozzarella. This delicious and pizza topping cheese was first created near Naples from the rich milk of water buffalos. At the time, it rarely left its home near Naples, as it was made from pasteurized milk, and a lack of refrigeration meant it had a very short shelf life. As both cheese technology and refrigeration systems advanced, this delicious cheese left the southern region of Italy and found itself traveling around the world.
There are two types of mozzarella produced within the United States — low moisture and high moisture. Low moisture mozzarella has a moisture content less than 50% while high moisture has a content of over 52%. Low moisture is made specifically for transportation and mass production as the lack of moisture gives it a longer shelf life.
Today, cheese dishes can be found on every continent served savory, sweet, melted, deep fried, and even chilled in ice cream. This household staple can still satisfy any craving after thousands of years.
By The Numbers
4% – the percentage of all cheese being sold that ends up stolen.
1,400 pounds – the weight of a block of cheddar cheese delivered to the White House once by President Andrew Jackson.
2 – the hours it took for 10,000 visitors to the White House to finish the block of cheddar cheese. 17th century – the period in which they started dyeing cheese orange to fool people into thinking it was higher quality.
½ – of the total cheese consumption in the world is of Gouda cheese.
1,000 – the estimated number of different French cheeses. 1615 B.C. – the year when the oldest known cheese was discovered in China.
National Cheese Day Activities
Charcuterie
Make a spread of some of your favorite cheeses to enjoy solo or with friends. Try working in new and international varieties you’ve never tried before. Check out Pinterest for ideas on the best meat, wine, and veggie pairings.
Take a cooking class
You may be surprised how many cheese themed educational experiences there are. Learn how to make your own cheese at home, the perfect drink and food pairings, or discover a new cheesy dish. With workshops, in person classes, and free online tutorials there are a lot of ways you can learn to enjoy this ancient culinary staple.
Cook something
Whether traditional comfort food like mac n cheese, the tangy sweetness of cheesecake, or the contemporary refinement of stuffed pull apart bread there are countless cheese recipes to try. Why not try a new twist on a family recipe or search the internet for the latest cheese trend. You can start simple with a five ingredient ricotta cheese recipe.
Take the National Cheese Day Quiz (scroll down at link)
https://nationaltoday.com/national-cheese-day/
My house is currently uncontaminated by cheese. Because I ate it all.
LOL!
I just had some Cottage Cheese for breakfast. I’m counting it! Graduation Party this afternoon where I am 100% certain there will be a Cheese and Sausage Platter. :)
One of their best. skits. ever. EVER! :)
Love cheese and meat platters, but gotta be careful as some cheese and meats have garlic- sadly it makes me sick now. 😫
Uh oh. This one could wheely go downhill fast.
I intend to moove out of the way.
Just make sure to cut the cheese for others to enjoy first though.
“½ – of the total cheese consumption in the world is of Gouda cheese.”
I doubt that one is correct.
Cheese is my downfall. I love so many cheeses. Among my faves that I have to hunt around for when I run out are Sage Derby, Cotswold, and Emmentaler. I can usually find the Cotswold and Emmi locally, but so far haven’t found the sage derby here. Luckily, there’s a market back in Cbus that we visit when we go there which usually has it on hand.
Finest in the district!!
Time to let the juices drip down!
I hereby declare the Summer 🏝️ of George!!!
Can you be more specific? What kind of cheese?
Yeah, where is American Process Cheese in this survey?
Holy Cow! I did not even know today was national cheese day but I cut some anyway.
My mouth is watering 😋😋😋
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