American Cheese Month

By Ash Bogdanyi (8th)

May is American Cheese Month, which you probably didn’t know. It is observed in May every year. American Cheese is a mild, soft, processed cheese. What even is cheese though?

Cheese is made out of curdled milk. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East. It is so old it predates the written word. In Roman times, cheesemaking became widespread.

In 1903, James Kraft invented American cheese. It was made to increase safe consumption of cheese. By the time it was 1930, over 40% of cheese eaten was Kraft brand. But people did not like Kraft cheese, and American Cheese was associated with the Kraft brand which further damaged its reputation. In 1983, the American Cheese Society was created. Its first annual competition featured 89 different kinds of cheese. Currently, there are now 10,222 cheesemakers in the US.

Here are some fun facts about cheese:

● .The most popular cheese in the world isMozzarella

● Cheddar cheese is America’s favorite cheese

● 63% of Americans likecheese

● The most popular cheese recipe is MacnCheese

● 10 pounds of milk goes into 1 pound ofcheese

● Some cheeses are criminalandillegal

● The word Cheese comes from the Latin word ‘Caseus’

● The oldest cheese in the world was 40yearsold

● There are about 2,000 varieties of cheese

● A giant wheel of cheddar cheese was given to Queen Victoria as aweddinggift

● Cheese is not rats’favoritefood

● Rats’ actual favorite foods are fruitandberries

● Rats have a good memory

● Rats are very socialanimals

● Rats are colorblind and have poor eyesight

● Rats have sharp teeth

● Rats don't like humanactivity