Happy National Cheese Day from Zeffert and Gold Catering

 

To celebrate National Cheese Day, we wanted to mention some of our favorite fun facts about cheese. Also, remember that whenever you are planning an event with Zeffert and Gold we are proud to be able to offer local Maryland cheeses in many varieties.

America’s Favorite Cheese

The United States is the top producer of cheese in the world, with Wisconsin and California leading the states in production. Although the US produces the most cheese, Greece and France lead the pack in cheese consumption per capita, averaging 27.3 and 24.0 kilograms per person in 2003 respectively. In the same year, the average US citizen consumed around 14.1 kg, although cheese consumption in the US has tripled since 1970 and is continuing to increase. Pictured above is cheez whiz. Keep it classy.

Favorite Quotes

“A cheese may disappoint. It may be dull, it may be naive, it may be over sophisticated. Yet it remains, cheese, milk’s leap toward immortality.” Clifton Fadiman (American writer and editor; New Yorker book reviewer, 1904-1999)

“How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?” Charles De Gaulle (French general and president, 1890-1970)

Stinky Cheese and Feet

Limburger cheese is notorious for its strong and generally unpleasant odor. The bacteria known as brevibacterium linens cause this. It is also found on human skin and is partially responsible for body odor. The Chalet Cheese Cooperative, located in Monroe, Wisconsin, is the only maker of limburger cheese in North America today.

Different Types of Cheese

After the fall of the Roman Empire, innovative monks were responsible for inventing some of the classic varieties of cheese we know today. According to the British Cheese Board, Britain has approximately 700 distinct local cheeses. It is thought that France and Italy have perhaps 400 each. The varying flavors, colors, and textures of cheese come from many factors, including the type of milk used, the type of bacteria or acids used to separate the milk, the length of aging, and the addition of other flavorings or mold.

Maryland’s Local Cheeses

Although most people do not know it, there are many local Maryland artisan cheese producers. Local Cheeses  Check out the selection of local Maryland cheeses offered by your local grocer, and ask for suggestions.