National Cheese Day 2023 – History, Benefits, & More
You can’t make everyone happy; you’re not cheese. But you can make yourself happy by celebrating National Cheese Day.
Whether you are a cheese lover or not, this event is the best excuse to enjoy some cheese and have fun. Want to know more about this day? Stay tuned, then!
When is the National Day of Cheese?
National Cheese Day is celebrated on the 4th of June in the USA. So, if you are also a cheese lover, it is a great day to celebrate all varieties of cheese.
For example, you can have pizzas, toasted cheese sandwiches, pasta, sauces, and whatnot.
History
The National Day of Cheese was first celebrated in 1914 in Monroe, Wisconsin. The day is about celebrating and eating cheese without feeling guilty.
After its origin, the day has been celebrated biennially for more than 100 years. However, due to people’s love for cheese, they celebrated it annually.
It is still celebrated with the same enthusiasm and love at Monroe. The event lasts an entire weekend, and thousands of people visit it.
There is a two-hour parade, club stands, traditional music, and local food.
So, if you live near Monroe, you must visit the town this time of year and have the time of your life.
Interesting Facts about Cheese
Cheese is among the most loved foods around the world. Here are some facts about cheese to blow your mind.
- Greece is the largest consumer of cheese all in the world. An average person in Greece eats around 27.3 kg of cheese annually.
- The United States is the biggest cheese producer, accounting for 29% of worldwide cheese production.
- Cody Helms of the United States holds the world record for fitting 36 cheese balls in his mouth.
- It took 2 hours for 10,000 visitors at the White House to finish 1400 pounds of a block of cheddar cheese.
- Cheese is worldwide the most stolen food due to its rising price. According to researchers, 4% of cheese sold is stolen yearly.
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5 Health Benefits of Cheese
People not only celebrate the day of cheese because of its taste but also due to the health benefits it provides. Here is why cheese is beneficial for you.
- Cheese is rich in calcium, protein, magnesium, and vitamin. Thus, bone health in children, the elderly, pregnant, and lactating women is promoted.
- Eating cheese as a part of a cooked meal can help prevent dental cavities. As a result, your teeth become strong, and you can avoid expensive dental work.
- Consuming a cup of ricotta cheese daily for 12 weeks improves healthy balance in adults and boosts muscle mass.
- Eating at least 2 ounces of cheese daily can reduce your heart attack risk by 18%. This was also verified by a 2016 report that observed 31 individuals throughout their lives and compared how much dairy they consumed.
- The natural fats found in cheese also help you increase weight. Additionally, some low-fat content cheese lets you balance your body weight.
4 Fun Ways to Celebrate the National Cheese Day
If you are clueless about how to celebrate National Cheese Day, here are some cool ideas for you.
Try New Cheesy Recipes
It is a great day to experiment with new cheese recipes and has all the fun.
Make sure you share the outcome with friends and family and get their views on your cooking.
If you are not into cooking, you can try different restaurants with cheese as the main ingredient. As I’m not great in the kitchen, that’s how I celebrate the day every year.
Learn More about Cheese
If you are interested in history, you can also spend this day learning the origin of cheese.
While at it, you will discover some mind-blowing facts about cheese you didn’t know before.
Whatever you learn, don’t forget to dazzle others with your cheese knowledge.
Host a Cheese Party
Cheese is a crowd-pleaser, and it is an excellent excuse to host a cheese party.
Make sure your party has all the different cheese pairings and flavors. For example, you can get Brie, Harvati, Colby, Cheddar, and Mozzarella Cheese.
You can also have crackers, nuts, fruits, vegetables, cured meat, and much more.
Share on Social Media
Well, this one goes without saying, right? As this is the era of social media, make sure you post your activities of the day online.
For example, you can share an exciting cheese fact, a picture of your newly found cheese recipe, or the restaurant you are trying this time.
No matter what you post, don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalCheeseDay so that others can see your activity too.
Reasons to Love National Cheese Day
While I don’t need any reason to celebrate and eat cheese, here are some reasons for you to love Cheese Day.
Cheese is Global
Cheese is global and has been around for a very long time. While I don’t know the actual origin of cheese, I do know that it has been around for more than 10,000 years.
The global consumption of cheese in 2021 was recorded at 1,000 metric tons, which is huge.
This makes it a global ingredient and the top reason to celebrate cheese day.
Cheese Makes Everything Delicious
Cheese makes even broccoli look delicious when topped with a cheddar cheese sauce.
This is huge for veggie-haters like me who just can’t sift through the greens.
What’s more, when topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, some might also not mind anchovies on a pizza.
So, an ingredient that makes everything taste delicious deserves to be celebrated, right?
Helps Experience Different Cultures
Cheese Day helps us experience and explore different cultures by trying new dishes and traditions.
For example, I once attended the cheese festival in Monroe and had an out-of-the-world experience.
The music was great, and the food was out of this world! Not only this, but I also made some friends for life. Now, this is what the Cheese Day is all about.
We Love Making New Memories
No matter where we are in the world, we love making pleasant memories, and celebrating Cheese Day helps us with that.
Trying new cheese recipes and having fun with loved ones on this day is the best way to make new memories.
The memories we make last with us for a lifetime and can be cherished forever.
Cheese is a Great Comfort Food
Whether you are feeling blue or not in the mood to eat something extra, the cheese got your back.
You can have mozzarella sticks, cheese soup, pasta, or a simple pizza. Anything with cheese will cheer you up in seconds.
Due to this, it is one of the most loved foods in the world and another reason to celebrate the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How Did the Cheese Get Its Name?
The word cheese is derived from the Latin word causes, from which the word casein is also derived.
Q2: What is the Most Eaten Cheese in the World?
While most people think Ricotta is the most-eaten cheese in the world, this is not true. Mozzarella cheese is the most consumed cheese in the world.
Q3: Who Made the First Cheese?
The origin of cheese is unknown; however, ancient legend believes an Arabian merchant accidentally made it.
He put his milk in a pouch made of sheep’s stomach and went on a journey across the desert.
Final Words
National Cheese Day is celebrated on the 4th of June all over the United States.
This is a great day to show your love for cheese and have as much cheese as you want without feeling guilty.
So, if you haven’t celebrated this day yet, we urge you to do it with your friends and family this year.
Don’t forget to share your activities online with others so they can be encouraged to share this day.
