History of Cheese and Varieties Around the World

A chef’s kitchen is never complete without cheese in stock. Can you imagine a pizza without cheese? Oops, the idea is nightmarish, you would rather prefer some extra cheese in your pizza to add flavor to it. Wherever you go for globe-trotting there would be some variety of cheese available. Moreover, there are around 500 varieties of cheese each unique in its flavor. Hence, whatever cheesy food is being served it is the culinary pattern practiced in their culture.

Myths about cheese

Remember our childhood days being crazy about watching the cartoon show series TOM and JERRY. Tom the cat lost every time he wanted to mess with Jerry the rat. Wasn’t it funny?

The showcasing of Jerry eating cheese is not acceptable. Moreover, there is no hypothetical evidence that rats or mice behave this way. The rats or mice eat anything and everything. It is a myth that rats feed on cheese. The creator might have used it as an innovative way of attracting children. However, it is found that Peanut butter is more preferable to rats and mice. So, why don’t you try the peanut butter technique for catching rats or mice to solve your frustration at home?

History of Cheese

Cheese is available all across the world. Further, every country has unique cheese tastes which portray their custom and culture. It has been consumed since prehistoric times. Around 6000 BC, the traces of cheese making were traced during excavation. The lake Neuchatel was being excavated. Further, in 2000BC visual evidence could be found from murals of Egyptian tombs. However, it is clear by now that the culture of cheesemaking began in the Hellenistic period. Not only Homer’s book The Odyssey, but other ancient Greek writers mentioned cheese as a normal food item.

The Europeans majorly adopted cheese by the 16th century i.e. middle ages. However, the use became popular in non-European indigenous nations after colonialism began. By then the popularity of cheese manufacturing as a food product had spread all over Europe. The diversification of cheese produced in European countries can be noticed. From history, we come to know that by 1500 the Cheddar variety of cheese got introduced. While Permission cheese was made in 1597. Each country began producing cheese of varied types representing their culture and cuisine.

As per the law of economics of supply and demand are interrelated. Demand for cheese was tremendous which stressed the supply part i.e. production. The Industrial revolution promoted much more modernized machines. In the year 1815, Switzerland is known to open a new factory for cheese production. Moreover, the mass production facility in America changed the future scenario completely. Price became affordable for the rich and poor likewise.

Making of Cheese

Process followed for the production of cheese is universal. The types are different for various countries. Or else it is a cow milk extract purely a dairy product. You produce cheese by the Curdling process. This is where edible acids are mixed with lemon juice, vinegar, or bacteria and finally mixed into milk and get its sugar transformed into lactic acid. As a result, solid curds are formed. With the rennet process as well as adding the soft variety of cheese can be made. However, more needs to be done for producing other varieties of cheese in bulk.

Further, the solid curd is cut to pieces. Each piece is subjected to extra water draining. Furthermore, they are heated to a controlled temperature of 35 to 55 degrees centigrade. Their different identities are ensured by the addition of flavors. Mozzarella cheese for example needs stretching. After the processing is complete, the cheese is left for curing under special environmental conditions. The more it ages, the more it tastes better. Hence, cheese is left to cure for some time, maybe years together.

Benefits of Cheese

Consuming anything in large amounts may be harmful But cheese is not as harmful as some people think. The myth exists like it provokes heart problems or adds fat. But it is not so. The need for calcium, proteins, and fats are essential for a healthy you. Moreover, intake of a limited volume of cheese would be suggested as they serve as whole foods. Rich amounts of vitamins like B12 and A are available. Besides, you also get riboflavin, zinc, and phosphorus. You can also get vitamin K–12 and Omega 3 fatty acids, remember? Cheese is made of cow milk, Cows are 100% grass-fed animals. Some Medical journals claim dairy products, including cheese, are anti-cavitation agents for teeth.

Risks of the Cheese

• For those who are lactose intolerant, cheese might not be suitable as it contains lactose. Luckily the parmesan variety contains less lactose which might sit them.

• Casein is the main protein found in milk. For people who are allergic to casein, milk products won’t suit. That includes cheese as well. Even the low-lactose variety won’t help.

• Cheese contains sodium. People with high blood pressure can be in trouble if they overeat cheese.

• Medical practitioners recommend avoiding saturated fat. The cheese contains fat. It would be better to consume fewer products.

• Cheese if excessively consumed may lead to constipation. Cheese is low in fiber content that causes indigestion

• People with cholesterol issues are advised to stay away from cheese. This could end up in health problems. Cheese is rich in calories. One ounce corresponds to 100 g calories, depending on their type.

Americans Eat Lot of The Cheese Based Food

Americans suffer greatly from obesity and weight gain. Myths exist that it is cheese consumption that has created the issue. However, the nutritionists don’t accept the fact. It has been identified from experiments that food is very complex. So, is the human digestive system. When experiments were conducted between humans and animals it could be found that calorie intake was different from various diets. 

This has been identified as a low-fat gaining commodity being used. But, it needs more research to find what causes so. Live bacterial cultures can be found because it is fermented. The gut microbiome is responsible for your weight control. Moreover, fermentation induces vitamin K2 production which in turn helps insulin generation in our body. Calorie usage, fat retention, hunger, and most importantly blood sugar level regulations are performed by insulin. Further, researchers have found milk-fat globule membrane remains intact in it. Consequently, it can be concluded that this is beneficial over butter or milk.

Weight gain or loss doesn’t get affected by consumption of cheese is a myth. The amount of calorie intake from other foods. Hopefully, the obesity epidemic can be controlled by curbing carbohydrate food and junk items.

Facts About Nutrition of the Cheese

Nutritional values differ between types of cheese being consumed. If anybody compares the Brei and Mozzarella the former carries more calories 85 (mozzarella) compared to 95(Brei). Even fat content-wise. Compared to 6.3 grams of fat per ounce, whereas the Brei contains 7.9 grams of fat per ounce. Moreover, the variety Cheddar contains 113 calories. Besides 9 grams of fat per ounce. Feta Swiss , or part-skim mozzarella can be a good solution to low-calorie types. Swiss cheese contains only 20 milligrams of sodium per ounce. So if the content of sodium is a concern, better would be the swiss one. It would be better to avoid the hard variety. For preserving them longer more salt is added. You are advised to choose from varieties that suffice your requirement. 

Storing Procedures

Once the cheese has been produced you need to store them properly to achieve its age to present you with the best kind of flavor. 

Generic Ways of Storing

• It depends mainly on the type of cheese you are about to store. Or else a re-sealable plastic bag could be sufficient.

• The vegetable crisper of the refrigerator is appropriate for storing them . Not only stable but the right temperature can be achieved. 

• After using the leftover must be wrapped with fresh wax paper before storing

• The harder it is, the longer will it survive. So, it would be better to know the variety before storing

For Aged/Hard 

Apply a final layer of plastics after wrapping it well with wax or parchment paper.

The Blue

Better to wrap them with plastic

Storing Semi-hard or Hard use plastic wrapping

The Soft, Semi-Soft, and Stinky Variety

This variety needs resealable plastic containers

Storing Fresh in Water

The best way of storing cheese would be to leave it in packaged form. Use a bowl of water, leave it in its original form. Replace the water periodically.

Healthy Type of The Cheese Around the World

Cheese is known to be nutritious cosine available all over the world, Every variety has its flavor and ingredients to serve to keep you healthy 

• The Italian dairy product is known to be the best. If you are having concern about sodium, it has the lowest amount of sodium. Similarly, the low calorie of this variety keeps it ahead of all others. Moreover, the Mozzarella cheese contains probiotics. Probiotics are essential for immunity, improvement of gut health, and fight inflammation. Besides other recipes, the Mozzarella tastes delicious in Caprese salad. A salad with tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar.

• The National Institutes of Health recommends blue cheese. It has improved features of strengthening your bones. These are made from kinds of milk of cow, goat or ship. The mold used for shaping provides a distinctive smell and tanginess. This has been named so because of blue and grey veins and spots are found in their texture. In this type sufficient calcium can be found that can mitigate osteoporosis-like diseases. Bone brittleness or any bone-related issues can be handled with this. The toppings for pizza, sandwiches, and burgers with these tastes awesome. Moreover, for adding flavor to a salad made of nuts, apples or pears, and spinach this can be used

• Want an improved composition of the body and go fatless? Try the Feta variety of it. which is originally from Greece. It’s made from goat or sheep milk. This salty, low calorie, and whitish item contains CLA i.e. conjugated linoleic acid that not only boosts body composition but also reduces fat. As a preserver, while packaging brine is used. This enhances sodium content. But it contains fewer calories than other varieties of it. Besides, the presence of CLA enhances its nutritional benefits. It would be better if you can include it in your diet. For example, eat it along with egg, crumble it over your salad or whip it to make a dip.

• Probably in the United States this whitish, soft variety, the cottage cheese originated. This variety is rich in protein but low in calories. Cheese variety is often prescribed for weight loss. Because of its high protein content, creates a sense of fullness. Intake of more calories can be avoided. it tastes really good when spread on toast, used in scrambled eggs, complimented as smoothies. Moreover, tasty dips can be made using the same.

• A lighter version of cottage cheese can be found in the Ricotta variety of them. They originated in Italy. The soft and creamy texture is generated by processing the leftover water from others. Ricotta is a great source of Amino Acid, which is essential for humans. The amino acids are generated from a milk protein named whey. Further, the Whey is easily absorbed, they are great muscle builders, limit blood pressure as well as limit cholesterol level. Generally, the Ricotta tastes delicious and can be used as the base for a dip. It goes well with sweet and salty snacks as well as fruits. The Ricotta goes well with cuisines like pizza, pasta, lasagna, and various salads respectively.

Other cheese types that bear nutritional advantages are:

• Sixth Parmesan
• Seventh Swiss
• Eighth Chadder
• Ninth the Goat.

Notes

The list includes only the nutritious varieties. However, there are many other varieties you may find across the world. If you are health conscious and want the best for yourself, better check the fat contents, besides calories and vitamins.

Significance in Anthropology

Cheese is a dairy product that came in use to people before historic times. Evidence of making cheese could be found during excavations held in 6000 BC. Moreover, traces of it could be found in Egyptian towns. The custom of making these dairy products was adopted by the Europeans at large. After colonialism it became available for other places too. Presently cheese is available all over the world. To demarked their identity, countries differentiated the variety. Further, during the industrial revolutions, the machines for production became modernized. Switzerland had the first factory. The total process got revolutionized. Bulk production  began in America which made the dairy product affordable for different sections of the population. Further, it has been investigated to conclude on the existing myths.