Cheese is one of the most beloved and versatile foods in the world, but there’s more to it than just a tasty topping.
Here are 15 weird and wildly fascinating facts about cheese that will blow your mind!
1. Cheese Can Help Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Good news for cheese lovers—it’s actually good for your teeth! Certain cheeses, like cheddar and mozzarella, help increase saliva production, which can neutralize acids and prevent tooth decay.
So, that post-dinner cheese plate might just be your ticket to a better smile.
2. You Can Get a Loan With Cheese as Collateral
In Italy, there’s a bank that lets you put cheese up as collateral for a loan. This isn’t your average cheddar, though—they’re talking about Parmigiano-Reggiano.
The Credem Bank holds the cheese in a special vault, valuing it at nearly $200 million. Just another reason to treasure your cheese!
3. Greece Is the World’s Biggest Cheese Fan
When it comes to cheese consumption, Greece takes the crown. The average Greek person eats about 60 pounds of cheese every year, mostly feta. That’s a lot of salad toppings and spanakopita fillings.
If you’ve ever wondered why feta is such a big deal, now you know—it’s practically a national treasure.
4. The Oldest Cheese Is Older Than Some Pyramids
Forget wine—cheese also gets better with age, and we’re talking ancient. Archaeologists uncovered a 3,200-year-old cheese in an Egyptian tomb. That’s right, some of the cheese around today was made when pharaohs were still calling the shots.
Sadly, the recipe for this cheese is lost to time, so you can’t expect it to hit store shelves anytime soon.
5. Donkey Milk Cheese Costs More Than Your Rent
If you thought truffle-infused cheese was fancy, meet Pule, the world’s priciest cheese made from donkey milk. It’s a Serbian delicacy that costs over $600 per pound! With a price tag like that, it’s practically the Louis Vuitton of the cheese world. The kicker?
Only a handful of donkeys are milked to make this, so each bite is rarer than a unicorn sighting.
6. Stinky Cheese and Stinky Feet: A Match Made in Microbe Heaven
Why does stinky cheese smell like gym socks after a marathon? Well, it turns out that the same bacteria, Brevibacterium linens, is responsible for the odor in both stinky cheese like Limburger and, yep, your feet.
Next time you get a whiff of a strong cheese, you can thank (or blame) your toes for the familiar aroma.
7. Mice Aren’t as into Cheese as You Think
All those cartoons were lying to us—mice aren’t really that into cheese. In reality, they’d rather nibble on grains and fruits. The whole “mice love cheese” thing is just a myth, probably created by someone who ran out of mousetrap bait.
8. Cheese Can Be Made from Hippopotamus Milk
Ever wondered what hippo cheese would taste like? Some adventurous (and possibly slightly mad) cheesemakers have experimented with making cheese from hippo milk. While it’s not exactly something you’ll find at your local deli, it’s a testament to just how far cheesemakers will go in their quest for new flavors.
9. The Secret Weapon for Better Sleep
Move over, warm milk. Cheese before bed might actually help you catch more Zs. It’s packed with tryptophan, the same amino acid that makes turkey the star of your Thanksgiving nap.
So, if you’re struggling with sleep, maybe it’s time to swap your midnight snack for a slice of cheddar.
10. It Takes 10 Pounds of Milk to Make 1 Pound of Cheese
Cheese production is no joke. It takes about 10 pounds of milk to make just one pound of cheese. That’s a lot of mooing for a small block!
It also explains why cheese has been so valued throughout history—it’s like liquid gold turned into solid deliciousness.
11. Cheese Can Power Your Lights
In France, some clever cheesemakers have found a way to turn cheese into electricity. The process involves capturing the methane produced during cheese production and converting it into power.
So, in a way, that brie could be lighting up your next dinner party.
12. There’s a Name for Collecting Cheese Labels
Got a stack of cheese labels? Congrats, you’re a tyrosemiophile. Collecting these labels is a quirky hobby that lets you celebrate the wide world of cheese packaging. Think of it as stamp collecting, but way tastier.
13. The Moon is Made of Cheese
The idea that the moon is made of green cheese dates back to the 16th century, but it’s all just folklore. Yet, the phrase has stuck around, reminding us of a time when people believed some pretty wild stuff.
Imagine NASA finding a giant wheel of Gouda up there—now that would be a discovery!
14. Cheese from Feet Bacteria
Scientists have done some pretty weird things in the name of science, including making cheese from human foot bacteria. Yep, you read that right.
These experimental cheeses aren’t for sale (thankfully), but they do make you wonder—how far is too far in the pursuit of new cheese flavors?
15. Cheese Is Astronaut-Approved
Cheese has been to space. Astronauts have taken it along on missions because it’s easy to store and full of nutrients. Plus, it’s a comforting reminder of home when you’re floating around in zero gravity.
Now, if only they could figure out how to make space pizza…
From ancient Egyptian tombs to outer space, cheese has a rich history and surprising versatility.
Share these cheesy facts with your friends, and next time you enjoy a slice, you’ll have plenty of interesting tidbits to pair with it!