Cheese making is said to go back 5,000 years although it is not really clear as to who made it first. The oldest known cheese was found in Egypt in 2018 which was around 3,200 years old. In fact, many of the popularly known cheeses like Swiss, Cheddar, Parmesan, Gouda are relatively new with a history of about 500 years. Now, let’s look at some fun interesting facts about cheese:
Fun Fact #1
There are over 1,800 varieties of cheese available around the world! Although cheeses are classified in over 1,800 types, they come in majorly eight varieties that include blue, hard, pasta filata, processed, semi-hard, semi-soft, soft and fresh, and soft-ripened.
Some of the most popular cheeses that are mostly consumed worldwide are Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan), English Cheddar, Roquefort, Brie, Gruyere, Feta, Mozzarella, and Manchego; Mozzarella being the most consumed of all.
Fun Fact #2
As of 2020, Denmark is the top consumer of cheese worldwide followed by Iceland and Finland. It is said that an average Danish person consumes about 28.1 kg of cheese per year.
Fun Fact #3
A whopping 20 million metric tonnes of cheese is produced every year, and the largest cheese-producing country is the USA, accounting for 30% of the world’s production. Germany and France follow.
Fun Fact #4
The world’s most expensive cheese – Pule – is reportedly priced at US$600 per kilogram. The ginormous price is attributed to its rarity as only 100 Jennies are left of the Balkan donkeys landrace that is milked specifically for Pule-making. Added fact: It takes 25 litres of this milk to produce one kilogram of Pule cheese.
Fun Fact #5
Aristaeus is credited by the ancient Greeks for having discovered Feta, which is widely used in Greek cuisine
Fun Fact #6
Scientists believe that regular consumption of Roquefort blue cheese helps in longevity. Studies claim that cheese improves cardiovascular health.
Fun Fact #7
People who love cheese are called turophiles.
FACT: Nepali cheese is being increasingly recognised and loved. The Yak Cheese is a one of its kind and growing in popularity.
