National Moldy Cheese Day isn’t a holiday that encourages people to take moldy cheese out of their fridge and eat it. No, that would be nasty and potentially dangerous. Instead, this holiday encourages people to enjoy one of the many different types of cheeses that couldn’t be made without mold.

Cheeses include Gorgonzola, Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, and Blue Cheeses. So, if you’re into moldy cheeses, choose one of these types of cheese on October 9th and perhaps share it with some good friends and a glass or two of good wine.

A Brief History of Cheese-Making

Evidence shows that people have been making cheese for thousands of years. It’s known there are murals on ancient Egyptian tombs dating back over 4,000 years that depict cheese-making. The process of making cheese was probably discovered accidentally when people began to store milk in containers made from animal stomachs.

The milk coagulated thanks to an enzyme known as rennet found in many animals’ stomachs. It then separated into curds and whey.

Fun Facts About Cheese

Want some fun facts about cheese? Well, let’s get this party started by examining some of the fun facts that we’ve uncovered over the course of doing research for this holiday. Although some of the bits of trivia below might be “cheesy,” we think most people will appreciate them.

• Cheddar cheese isn’t naturally orange.
• Cheese is one of the most stolen food items in the world.
• In the 17th century, unethical merchants would dye cheese orange to make people believe it was of higher quality.
• People who eat Blue Stilton Blue Cheese have reported having strange dreams.
• American cheese can’t be sold as cheese in the U.S. It has to be labeled as a cheese product or cheese food.
• Philadelphia Cream Cheese is named after a village in New York, not the city in Pennsylvania.
• Half of the world’s cheese consumption is Gouda.
• Wisconsin produces about 2.6 billion pounds of cheese each year.
• Moose cheese costs over $400 per pound due to the amount of time it takes to milk a moose.
• Edam Cheese never spoils; it just becomes harder.
• Scientists have created cheese made from bacteria taken from between human toes and their belly buttons.

Observing National Moldy Cheese Day

As we said in the introduction to this holiday, all you have to do to observe this day is to buy yourself a proper moldy cheese and enjoy it by yourself or with friends. While you’re enjoying your cheese, don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalMoldyCheeseDay and let everyone know that you’re celebrating this holiday.