Skip to main content

18 Amazing Cheese Facts

By Every Day Story18 items
Share

About this list

Some genius turned milk into a delicious, salty food: cheese. But there's more to cheese than milk, salt, and magic. Cheese science is fascinating, yet sometimes a little gross. As glorious as cheese is, its weird science might make you pause - but only for a second, because it's cheese.

Crowd-ranked
Anything
updating live18 items
  • 1
    We Have No Idea Where Cheese Originally Came From

    People have had cheese on menus for over 4,000 years. Some say it started with carrying milk in pouches made from sheep's stomachs because that starts the ripening process. We do not know who made the first cheese.We do not know who made the first cheese.The Middle East, Europe, and Asia all possess the right climate and materials. One of these areas likely influenced cheese creation. Your guess is as good as ours.

    Anything
  • 2
    There Are Over 1,700 Different Kinds of Cheese

    Store shelves show classics like Swiss, mozzarella, cheddar, American, and parmesan. The world of cheese goes past that. Worldwide, there are at least 1,777 different kinds of cheese to explore and love.There are at least 1,777 different kinds of cheese.You can explore and love these cheeses. Also, there are at least 74 countries with their own cheese types.There are at least 74 countries that have types of cheese all their own. Perhaps a world cheese tour awaits?Perhaps a world cheese tour awaits?

    Anything
  • 3
    Cheese Is Crawling with Bacteria

    You do not need to drop cheese to get bacteria on it. Making cheese requires starting the ripening process with a starter culture of bacteria.This starter culture is bacteria.This bacteria is friendly. It makes a tasty snack for crackers or bread. This bacteria can stay frozen up to two years.This bacteria can stay frozen up to two years.You eat bacteria with every bite of cheese. In some cases, this happens.

    Anything
  • 4
    Cheese Can Be Made with Basically Any Kind of Milk

    You have tried goat cheese and cow's milk cheese. Have you had camel cheese? It exists. If milk can coagulate properly, you can make cheese from it. Worldwide, you can find cheese made from it.You can find cheese.Cheese is made from b-uffalo, camel, donkey, horse, reindeer, sheep, water buffalo, and even yak.Cheese is made from b-uffalo, camel, donkey, horse, reindeer, sheep, water buffalo, and even yak. You can find milk made from human breast milk, however gross it seems.You can find milk made from human breast milk.Cheese can be made with basically any kind of milk.

    Anything
  • 5
    Cheese Is Genuinely Addictive

    A recent study shows that cheese-aholics might be addicts.A recent study shows that cheese-aholics might be addicts.The US National Library of Medicine study shows that cheese-aholics might be addicts.The US National Library of Medicine study shows that cheese-aholics might be addicts.Cheese has a chemical called casein. Casein releases opiates casomorphins when eaten. See the word "opiates" in opium? The substances are related and both are viciously addictive. Science backs your need for cheese.Cheese has a chemical called casein. Casein releases opiates casomorphins upon being eaten. See that word "opiates", like in the word "opium"? That's because the substances are related and both are viciously addictive. Your need for cheese is backed by science.

    Anything
  • 6
    About 10 Pounds of Milk Is Needed to Make Only One Pound of Cheese

    Getting a lot of high-quality milk is key to making cheese. For average cow's milk cheese, 10 whole pounds of milk make just one pound of cheese.Ten whole pounds of milk make just one pound of cheese.About ten pounds of milk makes only one pound of cheese.

    Anything
  • 7
    Fresh Cheese Curds Are Squeaky Clean

    Some people love cheese so much they talk to it, and this cheese actually talks back. Fresh cheese curds make a squeaking noise.Fresh cheese curds make a squeaking noise.You feel and hear the noise when you eat them. This happens because elastic protein strands in the cheese rub against your teeth enamel.Elastic protein strands in the cheese rub against your teeth enamel to make the noise.Note that after a few days, the cheese curds usually lose their squeak. This shows you what you are eating is fresh.After a few days, the cheese curds usually lose their squeak.The cheese curds lose their squeak after a few days, showing you what you eat is fresh.

    Anything
  • 8
    Eating Cheese Can Give You Sweet Dreams

    Cheese has been shown scientifically to help with nightmares before bed.A study shows eating cheese can give you sweet dreams.The British Cheese Board, which has a cheese pun name, showed different foods give different dreams. Those with cheese reported zero nightmares.Many people reported pleasant fantasy dreams.These dreams were probably about more cheese.

    Anything
  • 9
    Cheese Is Often Made With the Lining of Animal Stomachs

    To make cheese, you need a substance calledRennet is used.Rennet is.an enzyme taken from the stomachs of calves, lambs, and goats before they eat anything but milk. This enzyme forms curds and whey, which are vital for making cheese.Isn't that appetizing? We still want a slice of cheese now.

    Anything
  • 10
    Orange and Gold Cheeses Are Artificially Colored

    Some light yellow cheeses are naturally colored, but most are white or off-white. You never see an all-naturally colored orange cheese. If you see a tasty-looking orange cheese, remember it isOrange and gold cheeses get artificial coloring.This coloring uses.saffron, marigold, annatto (most common for cheddar), or even carrot juice!

    Anything
  • 11
    The Crunchy Stuff in Cheese Isn't Salt

    Some call these little crunchy bits "flavor crystals," and they are partially correct. Those crunchy bits arecalcium lactate crystals or tyrosine crystals,as cheesemakers call them.As cheese ages, this happens.good bacteria break down lactose into lactic acid. This process creates those crunchy bits of goodness.

    Anything
  • 12
    Cheese Is Great for Your Teeth

    Your teeth feel cleaner after eating cheese? Science explains it. A study by General DentistryThis showed cheese helps your teeth.cheese protects teeth against cavities. Some compounds in cheese stick to tooth enamel and shield it from acid. Scientists and dentists agree on cheesy snacks.

    Anything
  • 13
    The Holes in Swiss Cheese Have a Regulation Size

    The US government regulates many things. Did you know they regulate the holes in Swiss cheese? As of 2000,the USDA statedthat holes in Swiss cheese should not exceed3/8 of an inch (about the size of a dime). Cheesemakers made larger holes to give customers less cheese for their money. That is not good.

    Anything
  • 14
    The Blue Lines in Bleu Cheese are Made With Needles

    When cutting bleu cheese, straight lines appear. The color on those lines isMold makes the blue lines in bleu cheese., by the way. What makes those lines? They aremade by needles.. Cheesemakers pump air into the cheese with syringes to let blue mold grow. The resulting holes fill with mold, creating veiny cheese.

    Anything
  • 15
    Slicing Some Cheeses Can Ruin the Flavor and Smell

    Cheese platters are great, right? Only if you cut the cheese (or don't cut it) Slicing cheeses incorrectly ruins the flavor and smell.Pre-slicing cheese exposes more surface area where moisture leaves, ruining soft, creamy cheeses. Cutting a wheel into a wedge destroys the texture and flavor variation inside. Slice wheels like a pie instead.This presents many nuances.These nuances exist.

    Anything
  • 16
    Cheeses Can "Breathe"

    Many people take cheese storage seriously. They have a good reason. Cheese breathes.Cheese actually breathes.Cheese breathes in surrounding flavors and scents. Storing it near garlic or spicy food kills it. Plastic wrap suffocates cheese, making it taste plasticky. Cheese makers suggest cheese paper for storage.

    Anything
  • 17
    Cheese Can Be Good for Your Blood and Bones

    Cheese may add weight, but it offers a lot of benefits.Cheese provides health benefits.Science backs this up. Dairy builds strong bones; this is common knowledge. Cheese also contains minerals.Cheese has protein, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin B12. Much of this helps muscles, bones, blood cells, and the heart. Cheese is a health food.

    Anything
  • 18
    You Can Eat Cheese Even If You're Lactose Intolerant

    If you have lactose intolerance, you might mourn losing cheese. Don't worry, fellow cheese lover, you are still fine.You are still okay.Making hard cheeses uses lactose. The process turns it into less harmful lactic acid and calcium. Thus, hard cheeses remain okay for lactose intolerance in moderation. You still cannot eat processed cheeses.You cannot eat processed cheeses.Like Velveeta or mozzarella. We offer our deepest sympathy.

    Anything

Comments (0)

Join the conversation

Sign in to share your take and reply to others.

First take? Share what stood out to you.

More like this