Prepared using time-honored techniques that go back centuries, with strict rules and inspection to maintain quality, it’s no wonder that Italy is hailed as one of the best cheese making countries in the world! And with that in mind, it’s time to pay it some special regard during National Italian Cheese Month.
History of National Italian Cheese Month
Italian cheeses can be traced back at least 2000 years to the Roman Empire where special kitchens were designed specifically for the creating, aging and storing of cheese. And as the Romans were so passionate about their cheeses, they were also thrilled about sharing it with the rest of the world! National Italian Cheese Month was founded in 2017 through the efforts of the Galbani Cheese company.
How to Celebrate National Italian Cheese Month
It’s time to get cheesy and start celebrating National Italian Cheese Month with some of these fun ideas:
Learn More About Italian Cheeses
Many people don’t realize that there are more than 2500 traditional varieties of Italian cheeses, 500 of which are commercially recognized, and 300 of those that have specifically protected dedicated places of origin. Now that’s a lot of different kinds of cheese! Check out and share some of these delightful bits of trivia in honor of National Italian Cheese Month:
For further proof that Italians love their cheese, statistics show that the people of Italy consume approximately 48 pounds of cheese each year per capita, which is 6 pounds higher than in the US, but still less than the French
Approximately 70% of the milk that is produced in Italy goes toward the craft of making cheese
DOP stands for Denominazione di origine Protetta in Italian, which translates to Protected Designation of Origin, a distinction that means certain kinds of cheese can only be made in certain places to carry the name
Throw a Wine & Cheese Night
With so many different Italian cheeses to choose from, how is it possible to decide on a favorite? Get started by gathering some friends to enjoy pairing some Italian wines with Italian cheeses from different regions of the country. Pair a Burrata cheese with a Pinot Grigio wine or enjoy a Pecorino Toscano with a dry Chianti.
Plan a Visit to Italy
Of course, those who are looking for the pinnacle way to celebrate Italian Cheese Month might consider getting serious about it and planning a trip to Italy. In fact, September is a lovely time to visit the country for a little tour of cheese makers. Head to the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy to taste some fresh Parmigiano Reggiano, or head further south to the Campania region for access to Buffalo Mozzarella – which is actually made from the milk of Italian water buffaloes!
Other events throughout the year that celebrate and show appreciation for cheeses include Swiss Cheese Day in January, as well as National Cheese Day and Goat’s Cheese Day both in June.
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