We all know that cheese is a type of dairy product consumed virtually in homes everywhere. But did you know that cheese extends way further than just being a great meal? Yes, today you will be learning (almost) everything about the globally beloved food! Explore new tastes and share with guests in your future home at Amberwood at Holland.
Meaning/Definition
The word “cheese” comes from the Latin word “caseus”, from which the modern-day word “casein” is derived. The earliest source of the word is the Proto-Indo-European root “kwat”, meaning to become sour or ferment. This gave rise to later words “cīese/cēse” from Old English, then the word “chese” in Middle English.
History
For as long as cheese has existed in ancient history, we still do not know where exactly it came from. The earliest supposed dates for the origin of cheese may be around 8000 BCE, when humans began domesticating sheep. It is highly possible cheese was discovered by complete accident because animal skins and expanded internal organs made great storage vessels at the time.
Types
There are so many types of cheese that it is impossible to try and count them all. However, there are a few iconic kinds of cheese. These include:
- Cheddar – A firm English cow’s milk cheese that becomes crumbly and sharp when aged.
- Brie – A buttery, soft French cheese known for having an edible, clear, and bloomy rind.
- Mozzarella – A mild, stretchy Italian fresh cheese important for caprese salads and even pizza.
Eating/Cooking
At cool temperatures, the fat found in cheese is as hard as unsoftened butter, and the protein structure inside is stable. At warm temperatures, most types of hard cheese melt and become much softer. As the temperature continues to rise, the cheese will become more brown and eventually burn. There is no wrong way of eating cheese, but there are thousands of erroneous ways to cook or bake cheese.
Modern Day
Today, cheese is widely known and consumed worldwide. In fact, it is one of the highest-rated foods to ever exist, earning the spot for top foods in various databases, including TasteAtlas Rankings, and frequently cited as one of humanity’s best culinary inventions!
