Sharp cheddar, creamy brie, salty feta, stretchy mozzarella: there are said to be more than a thousand kinds of cheese in the world. National Cheese Lover's Day, on January 20, celebrates them all. It is the perfect day to build a cheese board, melt something gooey into a grilled cheese, or visit a cheese shop and try a variety you have never heard of.
History of National Cheese Lover's Day
No one knows exactly who made the first cheese, but it is very old. A popular legend tells of a traveler who carried milk in a container made from an animal's stomach and found it had turned into curds, because the stomach lining contains rennet, an enzyme that makes milk curdle. Archaeologists have found traces of cheese-making in pottery from Poland that is around 7,000 years old.
Cheese was valued because it preserved milk for months. The ancient Greeks and Romans made and traded many cheeses, and in medieval Europe, monasteries developed varieties that are still made today.
In the United States, the first cheese factory opened in Rome, New York, in 1851, beginning large-scale production. Wisconsin became famous as 'America's Dairyland', and today the U.S. is one of the world's largest cheese producers. Who created National Cheese Lover's Day is not documented.
Why National Cheese Lover's Day Matters
Cheese is one of the world's great traditional foods, with each region's varieties reflecting local animals, climate and craft.
It is also a social food, from shared cheese boards to fondue pots and pizza nights.
How to Celebrate National Cheese Lover's Day
- Build a cheese board: include a hard, a soft and a blue or washed-rind cheese.
- Try something new: ask a cheesemonger for a recommendation.
- Make a melty classic: cook grilled cheese, mac and cheese or fondue.
- Pair it well: try cheese with fruit, honey, nuts or chutney.
- Make simple cheese at home: try ricotta or paneer with milk and lemon juice.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a cheese-tasting lunch is a fun way to bring people together; include a few lactose-free or plant-based options. In classrooms, making simple cheese like ricotta from milk and lemon juice is a great hands-on lesson in acids and proteins, and students can map where famous cheeses come from. At home, families can build a cheese board for dinner, letting each person pick one cheese at the store to try. Grilled cheese sandwiches with different breads and cheeses make an easy cooking project with children. Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk are best avoided during pregnancy.
Fun Facts About National Cheese Lover's Day
- Rennet, which helps milk curdle, comes from the stomachs of young animals; vegetarian versions also exist.
- The first U.S. cheese factory opened in Rome, New York, in 1851.
- Cheese-making traces about 7,000 years old have been found in Poland.
National Cheese Lover's Day FAQs
When is National Cheese Lover's Day?
It is celebrated on January 20.
How is cheese made?
Milk is curdled with acid or rennet, the curds are separated from the whey, then pressed, salted and often aged.
How should I store cheese?
Wrap it in wax or cheese paper and keep it in the fridge's vegetable drawer.
What should go on a cheese board?
A mix of textures, such as a hard, a soft and a blue cheese, plus crackers, fruit and nuts.