Posted on 02/13/2025 8:11:30 AM PST by Red Badger
NATIONAL CHEDDAR DAY
National Cheddar Day adds some cheesy goodness on February 13th!
#NationalCheddarDay
Grilled cheese would be buttered bread without melt-able slices piled high; burgers would be lackluster without a perfect ooze; mac & cheese would just be…mac, to be frank. So many of our iconic American dishes simply wouldn’t be the same without a slice of cheddar’s deliciousness.
CHEDDAR HISTORY
There’s some history to this love of cheddar as well. How exactly did cheddar become a staple in so many of our favorite foods? Let us tell you!
Cheddar first rolled into being in the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England in the 12th century. While cheddar accounts for more than a third of all the cheese sold in the United States, it is a royal hit in the United Kingdom where it was created. In fact, more than half of the cheese sales in the UK go to cheddar.
In 1894, renowned cheesemaker Peter McIntosh brought his cheese-making skills to Tillamook County, Oregon where it rains a lot and the grass was always green. He taught the locals all he knew, and in due time he earned himself the nickname “Cheese King of the Coast.” Today, there are more cows than people in Tillamook, and those local farmers have since formed the farmer-owned cooperative we know today as the Tillamook County Creamery Association.
No wonder cheddar finds its way into so many recipes or a simple snack. That rich, creamy and sometimes crumbly flavor is what keeps us coming back for more, bite after delicious bite.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHEDDAR DAY
Hashtag it! Show the world just how much you love cheddar by sharing your favorite creation with #NationalCheddarDay on social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Celebrate with others by hosting your own National Cheddar Day party.
Share your favorite cheddar recipes.
Bring friends and family together for a wine and cheese night, impromptu fondue, or a grilled cheese cook-off, whatever your favorite cheesy recipe, there are tons to choose from here.
Finally, if you’re local to Tillamook or traveling to the Pacific Northwest, add the Tillamook Creamery as a destination to see just how cheddar is made; sampling a thing or two as well. Today, nearly one million visitors make the trip to the Creamery each year! That’s a whole lotta chedda.
NATIONAL CHEDDAR DAY HISTORY
After over a century spent perfecting its award-winning cheddar recipe,Tillamookfounded National Cheddar Day on February 13, 2019, to celebrate its 110th birthday and share a passion for cheddar with cheese-lovers nationwide, giving cheddar a day to shine on its own.
Founded on the coast of Oregon this farmer-owned cooperative continues to produce the most consistent, best tasting, high-quality dairy products made the most natural way possible. Guided by its values and the belief that everyone deserves real food that makes them feel good every day, Tillamook has earned top awards for their cheese, ice cream, sour cream, butter, and yogurt products made the Tillamook Way. Committed to unwavering values that never sacrifice quality for profit, Tillamook is excited to share National Cheddar Day with cheddar lovers everywhere for years to come.
In 2019, the Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Cheddar Day to be observed every February 13th.
Cheddar FAQ
Q. How many varieties of cheddar cheese are there?
A. Basic cheddar cheeses are extra sharp, sharp, and mild ranging from a real tangy bite to a mild smooth flavor. However, herbs and spices can be added to cheddar for even more flavor!
Q. Is cheddar a good slicing cheese?
A. Yes! Unlike softer cheeses, cheddar slices very easily. It's also a great melting cheese.
Q. Does cheddar cheese go well on pizza?
A. Mmmm...yes! Even though mozzarella is more common on pizza, cheddar is another delicious cheese option.
Notable Birthdays for February 13
John Aaron Rawlins (1831-1869) - Major General for the Union Army.
William Whedbee Kirkland (1833-1915) - Brigadier-General of the Confederate Army.
Hal Chase (1883-1947) - MLB player known as "Prince Hal" and considered one of the best first baseman of all time.
Alfred Carlton Gilbert (1884-1961) - Founder of the A. C. Gilbert Company.
Bess Truman (1885-1982) - The 35th First Lady of the U.S. and wife of President Harry S. Truman.
Grant Wood (1891-1942) - Gothic painter.
Jean Muir (1911-1996) - Actress who was blacklisted after her name appeared in an anti-Communist pamphlet.
Dorothy Bliss (1916-1987) - Zoologist and pioneer in the field of hormonal control in crustaceans.
Chuck Yeager (1923-2020) - The first pilot to break the sound barrier.
Peter Tork (1942-2019) - Member of the musical group The Monkees.
Stockard Channing (1944-Still Living) - Actress known for her role as Betty Rizzo in Grease.
Denise Austin (1957-Still Living) - Fitness instructor.
Neal McDonough (1966-Still Living) - Actor known for his role as Buck in Band of Brothers.
Kelly Hu (1968-Still Living) - Actress who played significant roles in Sunset Beach and The Scorpion King.
Memorable Events for February 13
1741 - The first magazine is published in America (American Magazine).
1795 - The University of North Carolina opens as the first University in the U.S.
1799 - The first law regulating insurance is passed in the MA legislature.
1826 - The American Temperance Society is formed in Boston.
1837 - Riots in NY break out due to the cost of flour.
1861 - Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the U.S.
1914 - The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers is established to protect the copyrighted musical compositions of its members.
1920 - The Negro National League is formed.
1932 - George "Spanky" McFarland to introduced to Our Gang.
1935 - The first operation is performed for angina pectoris.
1943 - The Women's US Marine Corps is established.
1954 - Frank Selvy first and only NCAA Division I basketball player to score 100 points in one game.
2011 - The Umatilla tribe are able to hunt and harvest a bison just outside Yellowstone National Park, restoring a guaranteed by a treaty signed in 1855.
CHEESY PING!...........................
My wife and our 6.5 lbs. Shorkie that she has turned into a cheese crackhead say thanks! 😁
Don’t forget how good it is on a slice of warm apple pie.
Scalloped Potatoes!!
Or shredded on canned pear halves...............
There’s not much call for it round these parts.
I knew that was coming!...........
I liked Bandon cheddar better, back in the 70s when I worked in Gold Beach. Tillamook ice cream is great, though, every flavor I’ve tried.
I’m surprised none of the usual suspects beat me to it.
I thought we had National Cheddar Day a few weeks ago.
Ahh!
Bandon cheddar was the best. There’s a cheese place in Bandon again now, but I haven’t had opportunity to try their cheese. https://facerockcreamery.com/
But should I go for hot dogs or stewed tomatoes as the add in?
I have both.
Use both!...............
Cabot Creamery Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
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