'Cheesy' Tidbits

Cheese has been around much longer than you may expect. Archaeologists found evidence of it as far back as 5,500 BCE, but suspected is that it was already being made around 8,000 BCE when sheep were being domesticated.

The variety in cheese is enormous, but they all start out with the same process by adding rennet to milk. This separates the milk into curds and whey and you got the very first cheese; cottage cheese which is nothing but curds with a little whey.

The curds are pressed into forms where the excess water is squeezed out. Molds are added to extend the shelf-life and the cheese is literally laid to rest. The time to age depends on the desired type of cheese, but the longer it ripens, the richer and deeper the flavor becomes.

The animal that produces the milk, the type of diet of the animal, the different molds, herbs, and spices which are added, and the time of ripening determine the taste and texture of the cheese.

I don't think there are very few households where cheese isn't brought to the table. With so many varieties available, there is always one that appeals to the taste buds of even the pickiest eater.

And who wouldn't want to sink their teeth into all those delicious, edible creations of art which are served?!