7 important facts about cheese every foodie needs to know
What makes cheese so addictive? How can it help us protect our teeth? Let's find out with these amazing cheese facts, and be careful if you're hungry – you're going to see some very tasty pictures.
#1 Today, more than 2000 types of cheese are produced worldwide
The most popular varieties of cheese come form Europe: mozzarella (Italy), gouda (Netherlands), cheddar (UK), feta (Greece) and ricotta (Italy).
#2 Cheese is older than written language
- The first writing system invented in Mesopotamia dates back to ca. 3200 BC.
- The Neolithic cheese strainers discovered in Poland suggest that Europeans knew how to make cheese at least 7000 years ago.
Many foods we eat today are incredibly old – check how much you actually know about such products with this fun article.
#3 Cheese can trigger the same brain receptors as drugs do
Many people who love cheese crave it more than other foods, which can actually be scientifically explained. As it turns out, cheese contains a chemical called casein which can trigger our brain's opioid receptors, just like many drugs do. It actually makes cheese more addictive than other products (but not to a dangerous extent).
#4 Cheese is safe for lactose-intolerant people
Many types of cheese are very low in lactose, as most of it is lost with the whey during the process. Hard and aged cheeses contain the least amount of lactose.
#5 Cheese is the most stolen food item in the world
And I guess #3 explains it...
#6 When eaten straight out of the fridge, cheese loses some of its unique flavor and texture
If you want to enjoy your good cheese the right way, take it out of the fridge a couple of hours before eating. All sorts of cheese flavor better at the temperature of approximately 20–22 °C (68–72 °F).
#7 Eating cheese in moderation can prevent tooth decay
As eating cheese promotes the flow of saliva, it helps the self-cleaning function of our mouth. When you eat a piece a cheese at the end of the meal, you satisfy your taste buds and protect your teeth at the same time.
Are you a cheese lover? Did you like these facts about cheese? Which one surprised you the most?
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