National Cheese Lovers Day (January 20)
Check out the weird holiday National Cheese Lovers Day on January 20. Learn the history of cheese, as well as get ideas on how to celebrate.
One weird holiday on January 20 is National Cheese Lovers Day. Check out the other weird January holidays!
History of National Cheese Lovers Day
The earliest record of cheese making dates back to 5000 BC in what is now Poland (alghouth some say it was Arabia). Cheese was actually discovered by accident! In those times, milk was transported by people storing it in the stomachs of sheep. If it was left for a few days, the milk separated into whey and curd. When it was preserved with salt, it turned into cheese.
Cheesemaking is an extremely sensitive process; factors such as the environment and the temperature of the milk will change its taste and smell. Other factors include bacteria/fungi, type of milk, time, moisture, and herbs.
In 100 BC, cheesemaking became a widely valued practice during the Roman Empire, especially in the Middle East and Europe. Then centuries later, Queen Victoria of England was given a wedding gift of a giant wheel of cheese that weighed over 1,000 pounds!
In the 1600s, English dairy farmers brought their cheesemaking knowledge with them to the new English colonies in the Americas. In 1831, the first farmstead cheese factory was opened in Koshkonog, Wisconsin.
Cheese didn’t become as widely used until the invention of the refrigerator in 1913, allowing cheese to be more preserved to last longer. An old law in the state of Wisconsin used to require restaurants to serve cheese at every meal!
Today, there are over 1,400 varieties of cheese! If you tried one new variety per day, it would take you five years! The nutritional value of the cheese depends on its variety.
The heaviest cheese in the world was prepared by a Canadian cheesemaker, and it weighed over 57,000 pounds! Pizza Hut uses 300 million pounds of cheese each year, and the average American adult eats 33 pounds of cheese annually.
Ideas for National Cheese Lovers Day
Other than eating a block of cheese, here are some ideas to celebrate this weird holiday.
Literally Cheesy Valentines Cards for Cheese Lovers
Cheese — it is a love language for many. These Cheesy Valentines Cards are seriously the cheesiest in all the right ways with their cheese-focused puns and artwork, perfect for the cheese lovers in your life (even vegan cheese lovers…there is literally something for everyone). Make them on National Cheese Lovers Day to hand out today or save for Valentine's Day!
The 9 Best British Cheeses That You Must Try
Britain is probably not the first place that comes to mind when you think of delicious cheese, but they actually produce over 750 varieties! Learn more about them on National Cheese Lovers Day.
Cheese and Jam Pairings for cheese boards- Farm to Jar Food
Cheese plates are one of the easiest, yet most elegant (and delicious), ways to delight your family and friends on National Cheese Lovers Day. This post focuses on pairings of cheese and jam, highlighting some of the great fruit-forward flavor combinations as well as some more savory pairings.
Homemade Macaroni & Cheese from Scratch
Looking for a delicious recipe for homemade macaroni and cheese that’s made from scratch on National Cheese Lovers Day? This simple, healthy dinner is a favorite of children and adults! With it’s creamy cheese sauce made from scratch, this unique varation on traditional macaroni and cheese makes for a yummy lunch or dinner for your family.
Instant Pot Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta
Easy Instant Pot cheesy kielbasa pasta recipe! This quick pasta recipe takes less than 30 minutes total to make. Perfect for a busy National Cheese Lovers Day,
Tartiflette: a French Potato and Cheese Dish That Will Make You Swoon
Tartiflette is one of those dishes that you can’t believe you lived without before National Cheese Lovers Day. This French tartiflette recipe combines crispy cubes of potato, melty cheese, onions, lardons (pancetta) and white wine for a decadent meal!
Easy Keto Cheese Sauce
This easy keto cheese sauce uses a handful of ingredients and takes just a few minutes to make on National Cheese Lovers Day. The flavor is so incredible you will never go back to that processed cheese again!
Potato Cheese Bread Recipe
Potato Cheese Bread is a non-baked bread which is stuffed with mashed potatoes, and mozzarella cheese. This type of bread recipe is cooked in a pan rather than using the oven, and you'll love it on National Cheese Lovers Day.
Three Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Use three cheeses for a grilled cheese to get a flavorful but melty sandwich you’ve been dreaming of on National Cheese Lovers Day without sacrificing quality. To make grilled cheese even better, after the sandwich is toasted on each side, cut it down the middle and sear the inside before eating. The ultimate quick and easy comfort meal.
Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts
Hokkaido cheese tarts are creamy, sweet and savoury, delicious. Buttery tart shells filled with a rich 4-cheese filling and baked until golden. Unlike other baked cheese tart recipes, this recipe uses frozen tart shells, making it quick, easy and convenient to make on National Cheese Lovers Day.
Ruby Tuesday Potato Cheese Soup Recipe
This Ruby Tuesday potato cheese soup recipe is easy to make, very indulgent, and just the same as you would get in the restaurant. You'll love eating in on National Cheese Lovers Day!
Homemade Keto Cheese Crackers Recipe (only 2 ingredients!)
Sure, you can buy cheese crisps, but why would you when these homemade cheese crisps are only two ingredients? And, they’re two ingredients that you probably have at home: cheese and salt.,so they're easy to make on National Cheese Lovers Day!
Cheese Bread - Easy Cheesy Quick Bread
Soft, fluffy and loaded with cheese, this easy Cheese Bread tastes just like Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits! No kneading required. Perfect served as a side with a nice pat of butter or even for sandwiches on National Cheese Lovers Day.
Cheesy hashbrown casserole recipe
This hashbrown casserole recipe is the perfect dish for National Cheese Lovers Day. Hashbrowns in a deliciously creamy cheese sauce, topped with cheese – does it get any better? It’s hearty and comforting, but also easy to make ahead of time. Plus, it’s always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Cream Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
If you love tomatoes and cream cheese, you’ve gotta check out this amazing appetizer on National Cheese Lovers Day! The fresh flavors of lemon and dill combine with cream cheese stuffed cherry tomatoes for a refreshing, tasty snack that is excellent for so many occasions.
Crispy Chicken with Goat Cheese & Sun Dried Tomatoes
This recipe for Crispy Chicken with Goat Cheese & Sun Dried Tomatoes takes your plain old chicken to flavor country on National Cheese Lovers Day! It is a boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded thin, and filled with a mixture of goat cheese, mayo, garlic, and sundried tomatoes. It then gets rolled up and topped with a crunchy panko breading mixture.
Baked Feta with Tomatoes and Olives
Mediterranean baked feta is roasted to perfection with fresh herbs, tomatoes, olives, and a drizzle of olive oil. This is a National Cheese Lovers Day appetizer everyone loves.
Chili Cheese Nachos
Belly up to a big old plate of homemade Chili Cheese Nachos on National Cheese Lovers Day. Gone are the days that you need to go to a restaurant to make nachos this good. Use leftover chili and lots of sharp cheddar to top on tortilla chips. Once they are hot and gooey add your favorite toppings for an appetizer or main dish that is done in about 15 minutes time!
Welsh Rarebit Recipe: Cheese Concoction
Reminiscent of fondue, this is a take on a Welsh Rarebit recipe, a British dish consisting of a savory sauce made mostly of melted cheddar cheese, served hot over toast. It's a unique food to try on National Cheese Lovers Day!
Cheddar Cheese Cookies with Rice Krispies
Cheddar cheese cookies with Rice Krispies are delightfully crunchy and savory with a nice kick of spice. Serve them as a snack or appetizer alone or add them to your appetizer board on National Cheese Lovers Day!
Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon
Imagine dipping into thick, rich, creamy, and oh-so cheesy Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon! Perfect on National Cheese Lovers Day. game day, or any day, this amazing bacon beer cheese dip is so good, you might not want to share!
Ham and Cheese Roll-up Biscuits Topped with Cheese Sauce
These ham and cheese roll-up biscuits make a perfect dinner for the entire family on National Cheese Lovers Day! Topped with hot homemade cheese sauce, this delicious recipe will make your mouth water and your tummy full!
Gettin’ Cheesy with it – One Pot Broccoli and 3 Cheese Pasta
Scrumptious one pot cheese pasta recipe. Packed with broccoli, peas, and 3 separate cheese, this One Pot Broccoli and 3 Cheese Pasta is a family favourite meal for National Cheese Lovers Day.
Honey Goat Cheese Balls
Honey Goat Cheese Balls are a simple, festive appetizer for National Cheese Lovers Day. Soft goat cheese is formed into balls and rolled in a mixture of honey, apricot preserves and pecans. You can easily switch up the nuts and preserves to create different flavor combinations!
3-Ingredient Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip
You’ll just need 3 ingredients to make this delicious Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip. It’s so easy to throw together you’ll want to serve it at all of your parties and potlucks, not just on National Cheese Lovers Day!
Crispy Cheddar Cheese Chips Ready in Just 10 Minutes!
Made with cheddar, parmesan, sundried tomatoes, and a few spices, these Baked Cheddar Cheese Crisps are ready in just 10 minutes. They’re a fun, easy, and versatile snack to enjoy on National Cheese Lovers Day – not to mention low-carb!
Parmesan Cheese Popcorn, great in lunchboxes... or a yummy platter
Savoury popcorn is a yummy snack, this cheese popcorn is tasty and perfect for big and little people on National Cheese Lovers Day. On an antipasto platter with a glass of wine one evening, then the next day it's in the kids' lunchboxes.
Grilled Cheese Sticks & The Best Grilling Cheese List
Grilled cheese sticks are a quick yet healthy snack or starter on National Cheese Lovers Day that can be served with honey, molasses, or chimichurri sauce. Plus, get the list for the best grilling cheeses.
Spicy Choriqueso Recipe
Choriqueso is a spicy Mexican pork chorizo dish with pools of melted, creamy Oaxaca queso cheese. Scoop it up with a chip or even fill a tortilla with it to eat it like a taco. Ready in just 40 minutes, this can be served as an appetizer or a meal on National Cheese Lovers Day. Choriqueso will change your chorizo experience and you should try it soon!
Tequila Queso Fundido
You can make this restaurant-style Tequila Queso Fundido at home on National Cheese Lovers Day for a decadent and indulgent cheese dip with a hint of tequila. This queso dip pairs perfectly with fresh tortilla chips and a margarita!
Crockpot White Queso Dip Recipe ~ Barley & Sage
This crockpot white queso dip is smooth, creamy and super easy to make! It's the perfect appetizer for National Cheese Lovers Day, or just any weeknight that you're craving nachos!
Ham and Cheese Soup - Homemade In The Kitchen
Ham And Cheese Soup without potato is an easy one pot meal that makes a quick dinner on National Cheese Lovers Day. Great way to use up leftover ham from Christmas!
Savory Rosemary Cheddar Shortbread
Savory rosemary cheddar shortbread is a delicious treat, perfect for snacking on with a cup of tea or coffee on National Cheese Lovers Day. Aged cheddar cheese and a subtle hint of rosemary are combined with buttery, crumbly shortbread.
Cheesy Tomato Bread
Learn how to make this delicious and easy Cheesy Tomato Bread that’s perfect for eating for lunch or dinner on National Cheese Lovers Day. Also, the bread makes a great snack or appetizer.
Easy Cheddar Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe
If you’re looking for the best crowd-pleasing easy appetizer for National Cheese Lovers Day, look no further than this Cheddar Cheese Ball recipe!
This cheesy broccoli casserole recipe is a keeper!
This cheesy broccoli casserole is SO good, it has the most mouthwatering creamy sauce and is full of delicious fresh broccoli flavor. It is the perfect side for National Cheese Lovers Day.
Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes (Instant Pot + Stovetop)
These flavorful blue cheese mashed potatoes are made with Yukon gold or Russet potatoes, milk, cream, butter, and blue cheese. Cook them on National Cheese Lovers Day in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop!
Tyropita with Kataifi, Feta and Four Cheeses
Tyropita (pronounced Ti-ROH-pee-tah) is usually made made with layers of buttered phyllo and filled with feta. In this Tyropita you'll make on National Cheese Lovers Day, you'll used Kataifi and five different kind of cheeses.
Chile Con Queso Recipe
This delicious cheesy Chile Con Queso is a delicious cheesy dip made without velveeta and with authentic roasted New Mexican green chiles. It's easy to make, pairs perfectly with tortilla chips and is ideal for your National Cheese Lovers Day celebrations!
Velveeta Cheese Dip with Sausage
This Velveeta Cheese Dip is so rich, creamy, and easy to make! The ultimate appetizer for National Cheese Lovers Day, all you need is 20 minutes and simple ingredients including ground breakfast sausage, Velveeta cheese, butter, and your favorite Ro-Tel canned tomatoes.
Pretzel Cheese Dip
Pretzel Cheese Dip without Velveeta: Butter, flour, milk, and cheese come together to create a mouth-watering cheese dip you’ll want to dip everything in, especially on National Cheese Lovers Day. Whether you serve this alongside soft baked pretzels, chips, or veggies it’s sure to be a hit!
Delicious & Easy Cheesy Potatoes with a Secret Ingredient
Cheesy potatoes are an easy side dish for National Cheese Lovers Day. This recipe for easy cheesy potatoes puts a new twist on a traditional side dish with two secret ingredients that make it even more delicious than traditional!
Crunchy Keto Popcorn – Cheese Pops – Moon Cheese
Those Crunchy Keto Popcorn Homemade Moon Cheese or Cheese Pops as some would call them is the best Keto Snack you will ever need for National Cheese Lovers Day!
Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes
Cheesin’ it up today with these Cheesy Garlic Scalloped Potatoes. Who can resist, especially on National Cheese Lovers Day?!
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