Cheese is the ultimate food. You can melt it and put it on or in countless dishes, or you can eat it all by itself. Either way, any type of cheese is an easy, classic must-have for every college student’s kitchen. Don’t you want to appreciate cheese even more than you already do? Check out these crazy facts, and even some unexpected benefits, of the dairy friend of the world (except for the lactose intolerants, of course):
1. The most popular cheese recipe in the United States is macaroni and cheese
This may be as a result of college students devouring this easy dorm food.
2. In South Dakota, it is illegal to lie down and fall asleep in a cheese factory
If you’re hungry, tired, and happen to be in South Dakota, don’t go wandering into a cheese factory. You don’t want to end up in jail.
3. There are around 2,000 varieties of cheeses
Can you even name 10% of them? Probably not.
4. National Cheese Day is June 4th
Get hype and get yourself ready for a day full of cheese.
5. The United States produces the most cheese in the world, annually
In 2013, that number was 1.1 billion pounds of cheese. I guess America really loves cheese – not that you can blame us.
6. Cheese is the most stolen food in the world
Not even meat is stolen as much as cheese.
7. It takes ten pounds of milk to make one pound of cheese
So, does that mean that cheese is basically just milk?
8. Mozzarella is the best-selling cheese variety in the country
Probably because of all the pizza we make, right?
9. The average American eats about 34 pounds of cheese each year
If you think about all of the different ways that you eat cheese, it’s not really that hard to believe. Grilled cheese, mac and cheese, pizza, omelettes, quesadillas, nachos…the list could go on for years.
10. Mice actually prefer chocolate to cheese
Photo by Christin Urso
Don’t let the movies fool you. Mice actually like sweet smells, so they’re more likely to go for your chocolate than for your cheese.
11. Cheese is good for your teeth
It can prevent tooth decay, strengthen your teeth, and restore enamel. Keep eating that cheese, and say goodbye to cavities.
12. Cheese can help you fall asleep
One of the amino acids in cheese has been proven to relieve stress and induce sleep.
13. Some cheeses are stored for a year or longer before they are ready to eat
That is a lot of waiting.
14. For the best flavor and texture, serve cheese at room temperature
Only if you’re patient enough not to eat it as soon as you take it out of the fridge.