October is American cheese month. We enjoy a lot of cheese in the U.S., so let’s learn some fun facts about this fine food:
- Americans eat about 34 pounds of cheese per year. Denmark leads the world by eating about 62 pounds per year!
- Cheesemaking has been around for about 4,000 years. We don’t know who made the first cheese, but historical records indicate that travelers from Asia introduced cheesemaking to Europe before the start of the Roman Empire.
- Mozzarella is the top selling cheese in the U.S., followed by Cheddar.
- The first factory for the industrial production of cheese opened in Switzerland in 1815. However, successful mass production didn’t begin until 1851, when Jesse Williams opened his assembly line in Rome, New York.
- It takes 10 pounds of milk to make just 1 pound of cheese.
- More than 25% of cheese is made in Wisconsin. The rest comes mostly from California, Idaho and New York.
- If you want to enjoy cheeses made with raw milk, such as Brie de Meaux, Reblochon, Valencay, Epoisses, Roquefort and Camembert de Normandie, you’ll have to travel to France. These are banned for sale in the U.S.
- Cheese contains a protein called casein which strengthens tooth enamel and helps to prevent cavities. It also helps prevent acid from destroying tooth enamel.
- Serendipity’s in New York City has the most expensive sandwich in the world. It starts with French bread made with Dom Perignon and baked with 23-karat gold throughout. It is stuffed with caciocavallo podolico, a very rare Italian cheese. It comes covered with a special Truffle spread and gold flakes. Only $214.00! How many of these will you order for lunch today?
