Mark your calendars, cheese fans—January 20th is National Cheese Lovers Day! It’s the perfect excuse to celebrate all things cheesy, gooey, melty, and delicious. From a sharp slice of cheddar to a creamy wheel of Brie, this day is about giving cheese the love and appreciation it truly deserves.
A Brief Look at Cheese History
Cheese has been around for thousands of years, it’s older than most civilizations. The story goes that cheese was discovered by accident when someone stored milk in an animal’s stomach (gross but genius). The natural enzymes in the stomach caused the milk to curdle, and boom—cheese was born. Fast-forward a few thousand years, and we now have an endless variety of cheeses from all over the world, each with its own unique story and flavour.
So Many Cheeses, So Little Time
Let’s talk numbers. There are over 1,800 kinds of cheese worldwide. Think about that for a second—1,800! Whether you like your cheese hard, soft, aged, stinky, or smoked, there’s something for everyone. Brie, Gouda, mozzarella, blue cheese, Gruyère, feta—the list goes on.
Cheese isn’t just food; it’s an experience. It’s that perfect pull of melted mozzarella on a pizza slice, the sharp tang of Parmesan on pasta, or the creamy goodness of Camembert on a cracker. And let’s not forget the real MVP of any party: the cheese board. Pair it with some wine or craft beer, and you’re golden.
A Few Fun Cheese Facts
- The most expensive cheese in the world is made from donkey milk and costs over $1,000 per pound.
- Wisconsin makes more cheese than any other state in the U.S. (they don’t call it “America’s Dairyland” for nothing).
- Cheese is scientifically proven to be addictive.