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National Cheese Day on June 4 celebrate all type of cheese that we eat made from cows milk or sheep's milk. Archeological digs centuries ago have found evidence the cheesemaking was part many culture in Poland, Egypt, China, and Europe. The popular cheese mozzarella was created near Naples Italy from the milk of a buffalo. When refrigeration became more common mozzarella cheese was exported around the world.
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A Brief History of Cheese
8-10,000 Years Ago
Cheesemaking began when animals that produced milk were domesticated and raised on farms for this purpose. The farm animals were sheep, cows, goats, and buffalo. Theories of how cheese was discovered abound. It might have been discovered due to the practice of storing milk in containers made from the stomach of animals.
Rennet is an enzyme found in the stomach of animals that cause milk to lump and separate in curds and whey. Another practice was to salt curdled milk to preserve it.
106 BC
Cheesemaking was practiced in Europe and the Mideast. In Rome when Julius Caeser ruled hundreds of different types of cheese were made and traded. Many of the popular cheeses today were made about 500 years ago.
17th Century
Cheese was produced in the US in the 17th century. Puritans immigrated to the US and used their skills and knowledge of dairy farming to produce cheese. In 1783 the state of Rhode Island, CT, and Eastern MA made the most cheese in the nation.
Other states like Vermont, Ohio and New York followed making cheese for their local communities. New York and Ohio became important cheese manufacturers during this time and this continued about 150 years in the US.
1800s
Immigrants from Germany, Norway, and Switzerland became involved in cheese manufacturing. Wisconsin in 1850 made 400,283 pounds of cheese on farms located in the state. In 1841 Anne Rickett established the first factory in the cottage industry. She used milk from local farmers. Most cheese at this time was made on farms.
In Green County Wisconsin a local factory opened that made limburger cheese. In this area between 1864-1874 over 53 cooperative cheese factories opened. The made Swiss, cheddar, limburger and other kinds of cheese. As agriculture switched to dairy and cheesemaking in Wisconsin it became one of the biggest manufacturers of cheese in the United States.
Top cheese states besides Wisconsin in 2023 are California, Idaho, New York, New Mexico, Minnesota, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa.
References:
National Historic Cheesemaking Center
Statista
Ways to Celebrate
Go to a restaurant and order an entree with cheese to celebrate during the month of May
Cook a new recipe with cheese or buy cheese you have never tried before
Make a healthy charcutiere board for the family and friends.
Learn about the history of some cheese and how to serve and cook with them.
How Create a Healthy Charcutiere Board
To celebrate National Cheese Day on the month of June create a healthy charcutiere board using cheese, meats, vegetables and fish. You can use a variety of cheeses cheddar, goat cheese, parmesan, flavored cheeses, spreads, mozzarella, blue cheese, feta, and more.
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You will need a large cutting board for serving or platter to put the food on. A sharp knife to cut cheese, meats and other food. Many cooks put the food on one board or platter or serve more than plate separate like meats, fish, cheese, and salads.
Shop at your local cheese department found in the deli and dairy departments of the local supermarket. Most store carry a variety of delicious cheeses. These boards can be used for family meals and entertaining. Wine and beer goes well with these boards and the type of food serve. Most markets have deli meats, fish, and vegetables you can use for this board.
What to Serve
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Roast Beef
Shrimp
Smoked Salmon
Roasted Red Pepper
Goat Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Salami
Pepperoni
Ham
Hummus
Mozzarella
Salad
Rye of Whole Wheat Bread
Olives
Hot Peppers
Fruit
Oliver
Hot Peppers
Fruit
Tuna Fish
Clams
Generally the board is served on a platter with dressing and spreads on the side. It is a casual way to enjoy cheese. You do not have to do much cooking as you can buy items cooked cut and serve. It can be a meal on days you do not want to cook
Photo Source: Flicker: Lou Stejskal
Types of Cheese To Serve:
American
Blue Cheese
Brie
Cheddar
Cheddar
Cream Cheese
Danish Blue
Goat
Gouda
Montrey Jack
Parmesan
Pepper Jack
Ricotta
Romano
Swiss
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