If you are a cheese lover, you know that the world of cheese is a vast and delicious one. From creamy brie to tangy blue cheese, there is something to tantalize everyone's taste buds.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the wonderful world of cheese and cover some of the basics of how it's made, along with some tips for buying and enjoying it.
Get ready to dive into a delicious world of cheese!
A Brief History of Cheese
Cheese has been around since the dawn of time, but the exact origin is still up for debate. It is believed that cheese was first discovered by accident when milk was stored in an animal stomach and turned into curd and whey thanks to the rennet inside. Archaeological evidence suggests that cheese making dates back as early as 5500 BCE in what is now Poland. In Egypt, cheese was found as far back as 2000 BCE painted on tomb walls.
Cheeses from this time would have been quite sour and salty, similar to feta cheese. As the cheeses evolved in Europe, they became less salty and more flavorful. In fact, the world's oldest cheese was discovered in a Chinese desert and dated back to 1615 BCE.
The popularity of cheese has spread much further since then. In 1815, the first factory was opened for industrial production of cheese in Switzerland.
It wasn't long before cheese had spread to the United States. Credit usually goes to Jesse Williams, a dairy farmer from Rome, New York, who in 1851 started making cheese in an assembly-line fashion using the milk from neighboring farms. This made cheddar cheese one of the first US industrial foods.
Since then, advances in technology have allowed for mass-produced rennet and pure microbial cultures to be used in cheesemaking. This has allowed for a more standardized cheese to be produced and has become increasingly popular worldwide. In fact, by 2012, it was reported that cheese was one of the most shoplifted items from supermarkets around the world!
As you can see, cheese has come a long way since its humble beginnings and is now a staple ingredient that can be found in almost any kitchen. Cheese is truly an amazing food that has been enjoyed for centuries and continues to surprise us with its amazing flavors and textures. With so many different cheeses available today, it's no wonder it has become such a popular staple at dinner tables around the world.
The Different Types of Cheese
With over 500 varieties of cheese around the world, there’s something for everyone. From soft to hard cheeses, young to aged varieties, and even cheeses made from different animal milks, the possibilities are endless.
The most common way to classify cheese is based on moisture content and fat content. Soft cheeses are higher in moisture, while hard cheeses are drier. Additionally, cheeses can be classified by their ripening or curing methods. Some cheeses are aged for months or even years!
In the United States, cheese is an integral part of our culture. Whether it's melted onto a burger, sprinkled atop a pizza, or spread on a bagel, these 5 popular cheeses have become staples in most American kitchens.