June 4 is National Cheese Day
Cheese lovers rejoice! June 4 is National Cheese Day and a time to celebrate with your favorite cheese. As much as some may not fancy cheese or are restricted from eating it for health reasons, most of us can agree that it is one of the best ingredients ever invented!
From toasties to pizzas, pastas and sauces, there are so many different types of cheese, and so many ways to enjoy it!
For cheese lovers, today is the perfect day to indulge and eat as much as desired.
Let’s celebrate National Cheese Day!
What is Cheese?
Cheese is one of the most diverse foods in the world, coming in a variety of flavors, textures, and shapes. Dairy is the most common source of cheese, but other animals such as buffaloes, sheep, goats, and even camels may be used to make cheese.
The basic ingredients for cheese are milk, salt, bacteria, and rennet. While cheese is often seen as unhealthy because of its high fat content, it actually contains beneficial bacteria that can be good for your health. This is why cheese is such a popular and versatile food, as it can be used in a variety of dishes. Whether you prefer a mild or sharp cheese, there is a type of cheese for everyone.
In today’s marked there are many non-dairy and vegan alternatives to dairy cheese. The textures and flavors of non-dairy cheeses have been perfected to the point where some non-dairy cheeses truly mimic their dairy counterpart. With so many non-dairy cheese options available, we all can join in on the cheese festivities.
7 Types of Cheese
Cheese-making is a special art, and each type of cheese has its own production method. There are seven types of cheeses with unique flavors and textures. Let us introduce you to the 7 types of cheeses.
1 – FRESH CHEESE has no rind
Soft ricotta, creamy goat cheese, delicate mozzarella, crumbly feta…these are all wonderful types of fresh cheese. Fresh cheese is appreciated for its straightforward but fulfilling flavor. Generally, fresh cheese has a mild taste, is not encased in a rind and is not left to mature for a substantial period. Without the rind, fresh cheese has the same look and texture inside and out.
2 – AGED FRESH CHEESE has a wrinkled white to grey-blue rind
Aged fresh cheese is ‘fresh cheese’ that has been allowed to grow a thin almost transparent rind. They can be aged for as little as just a few weeks. Some are aged longer but usually not more than six months. Aged ricotta, mozzarella and cottage cheese would fall into this category.
3 – SOFT WHITE RIND CHEESE usually has a soft, white fuzzy rind
Brie cheese is a great example of a soft cheese that contains a soft white rind. The cheese is housed in a solid white rind on the exterior. This white mold, named Penicillium candidum, is intentionally added by cheesemakers. This edible mold covers the surface of the paste and is then worked and molded, again and again, to form the rind. This ritual creates Brie’s unmistakable taste. Camembert and Saint–André cheeses are other great examples that contain a soft white rind.
4 – SEMI-SOFT CHEESE have a fine to thick grey-brown or orange-sticky rind
Semi-soft cheeses boast a creamy texture and amazing melting ability, and they share a common ingredient in their make procedure – whole milk, sometimes with added cream, but never part-skim milk. Some examples of semi-soft cheese are Fontina, Havarti, Monterey Jack and Muenster.
These cheeses come in two distinct styles – dry-rind and washed-rind. Washed-rind cheeses, also known as surface-ripened ones, are treated with a bacterial smear and washed with a solution to encourage the smear to grow, while dry-rind cheeses are cured without a surface treatment. Both styles offer a unique experience when it comes to taste and texture!
5 – HARD CHEESE have a crusty – grey polished, waxed or oiled rind
Creating hard cheeses involves a few interesting steps. The curd is cut much smaller than cheddar, the size of a wheat kernel. It is cooked at a higher temperature, resulting in a drier curd. The curd is then pressed and salted. It is repeatedly turned and rubbed down with vegetable oil. These cheeses have a longer life due to their low moisture content, making them perfect for grating. Classic examples of hard cheese are cheddar, pecorino, manchego, parmesan, gruyere, Romano and asiago.
6 – BLUE CHEESE have a gritty, rough, sometimes sticky rind
Blue cheese and gorgonzola contain blue veins and fall into the blue cheese category. When crafting blue and gorgonzola, the assorted blue molds are added right to the milk. Stainless steel needles are utilized to pierce the body of the cheese to allow oxygen in and carbon dioxide out of the inside, permitting the mold to flourish. If the cheese has been in vacuum packaging for some time, it will show up almost totally white. As soon as the bag is taken out, the cheese will start to “blue-up” in a matter of hours.
Blue cheeses are fantastic for melting. Thoroughly chilling these cheeses makes crumbling simpler.
7 – FLAVOR ADDED CHEESE any cheese that has been enhanced by various flavors
Flavor added type of cheese is exactly that. A flavor such as herbs, fruits, nuts, spices and seasonings are added or blended into the cheese. Some flavored cheese examples are hot honey gouda, cranberry cheddar, habanero cheddar, garlic and basil jack, truffled pecorino, almond crusted goat cheese, and the list of flavor combinations can be as creative as the cheesemakers’ imagination is.
June 4 is National Cheese Day
National Cheese Day has been celebrated for many years and it boasts an intriguing history of amusement and, of course, cheese. This special day was originally instituted in 1914, with its roots lying in Monroe, Wisconsin in the United States.
Despite our efforts, the mystery of National Cheese Day’s origin remains unsolved. We may not know who started it, but we do know why – to celebrate the beloved cheesy treats we all enjoy! We do know that every June 4th is National Cheese Day.
How to Celebrate National Cheese Day
- Create a cheese platter with a variety of cheeses, add cured meats, fresh fruits, nuts and toasted bread and enjoy!
- If dining out, order a meal that contains cheese.
- Incorporate cheese into one of your meals, have a cheeseburger instead of a hamburger.
- Host a dinner with close friends and/or family and serve a cheese board.
- Create a recipe using cheese. View our amazing list of recipes we curated using cheese.
- Create a social media survey asking your friends and family what their favorite cheese is.
- Add a cheese related gadget to your collection such as a new cheese knife, a rustic cheese board or a fondue maker.
- Invest in a book about cheese. It’s fascinating how much work and knowledge goes into making cheese.
- Share a selfie eating your favorite cheese. Use #NationalCheeseDay
- Share a fun cheesy cheese quote on social media.
Celebrate June 4th with these Cheese Hashtags on Social Media:
#cheese #cheesecake #saycheese #cheeseburger #creamcheese #macandcheese #macncheese #grilledcheese #cheeselover #cheeseboard #goatcheese #cheeseplatter #vegancheese #cheesetart #bluecheese #cottagecheese #creamcheesefrosting #cheesecakes #cheeselovers #oreocheesecake #fetacheese #phillycheesesteak #saycheesedigital #cheeseplate #cheeseplatter #cheesefries #cheeseburgers #cheesesteak #cheesey #cheesehead #cheeseporn #eatcheese #macaroniandcheese #cheeseday #wineandcheese #cheeselover #cheeseplease #juneholiodays #junefoodholidays #June4 #fooddringholidays
Cheese Quotes
“If I had to give up cheese or chocolate, I’d give up chocolate in a heartbeat.”
Amanda Peet
“You have to be a romantic to invest yourself, your money, and your time in cheese.”
Anthony Bourdain
“Grilled cheese and tomato soup is the ultimate comfort meal.”
Ina Garten
“Never be a food snob. Learn from everyone you meet – the fish guy at your market, the lady at the local diner, farmers, cheese makers. Ask questions, try everything and eat up!”
Rachael Ray
View all June Food Holidays. Don’t forget to follow our All About Cheese Pinterest Board!
How to Celebrate National Cheese Day on June 4
Cheese lovers rejoice! June 4 is National Cheese Day and a time to celebrate with your favorite cheese.
Materials
- Your Favorite Type of Cheese.
Tools
- Cheese Board
- Cheese Knife
