1. The Most expensive cheese is made from donkey milk
“Pule” is a Serbian cheese made with donkey milk. It is regarded as the most expensive cheese on earth, costing about $600 per pound. Only about 100 donkeys are milked for pule and the cheese is smoked after it's made.
2. Some cheeses are safe for lactose-intolerant people to eat
Lactose is a type of sugar, the less sugar found in a cheese, the less lactose. The older the cheese, the less sugar it has in it. If you are lactose intolerant aim for hard and aged cheeses like parmesan, muenster, Swiss and sharp cheddars - from our case we’d recommend Parmigiano-Reggiano, Jarlsberg, and 10-Year Cheddar!
3. In 1840, Queen Victoria was given a half-ton wheel of Cheddar as a wedding gift.
Cheddar was loved by the monarchy but was very volatile and inconsistent back in the 1800s. Cheesemakers had to throw away wheels for uncontrolled mold growth, soggy texture, and rotten middles. It is sad to be a huge deal that the half-ton wheel was acceptable for the queen. (The Cheese was said to weigh over 1,000 pounds for reference)
4. It takes about 10 pounds of milk to make just 1 pound of cheese
10 pounds of cow or goat milk, and six pounds if you’re using sheep’s milk
5. Some cheeses are illegal in the United States
The law states that raw cheese is legal only after it has been aged for at least 60 days. This rule is in place because according to the FDA, evidence indicated that aging raw milk cheese for 60 days may eliminate or reduce E. coli and Salmonella in raw milk cheese.
If a cheese does not meet these guidelines, the US will not let the cheese through customs.
6. A Wisconsin Law used to require restaurants to serve cheese with every meal
The Law was around from June 1935 to March 1937 and required all restaurants to serve cheese and butter with meals
7. Eating cheese 30 minutes before bed helps you sleep better
Tryptophan, an amino acid in cheese, had been shown to reduce stress and help induce sleep!
8. Mozzarella is the most popular cheese in America
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese in America, thanks to our love for it on pizza!
9. Cheese & Wine are the ultimate pairings
Scientists suggest that cheese and wine pairings work so well together because the astringency in the wine balances the creamy fat content from the cheese to create a perfect balance in our mouths.
10. Most Cheeses are made with just three ingredients
Milk, salt, and a coagulant such as vinegar, rennet, or bacteria. Based on temperatures, animals used for milk, location, and other scientific components, it's amazing how these three ingredients can produce so many kinds of cheeses!
