For some, cheese day is every day, but, since 1914, June 4 is officially known as cheese day in the United States.
The origins of this established day can be traced to Monroe, Wis. Their celebrations have included festivities such as parades with traditional Swiss-Germanic music (waltzes and polkas), crafts and local foods that showcase the honored food —cheese.
Cheese provides essential nutrients to help build healthy bones and support the immune system, including calcium, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K2. Other benefits include lower blood pressure, blood vessel protection and good gut health.
So, how can you celebrate National Cheese Day? Host a cheese tasting party. One of the best ways is to have a cheese-tasting afternoon with family and friends. Have each person bring a different type of cheese and a different kind of wine (Colorado wines are highly suggested). Then relax and have fun eating some good food and trying out some wine flavors that might be a new experience.
Hosting a cheese-tasting party is simple, but there may be a few details to pay attention to in order to get it just right. In addition to buying cheese and wine, there’s a bit of setup that will take it from average to awesome. Add to the shopping list little bits such as olives, crusty bread, grapes, chutneys and berries. Put these all out on the table to complement the taste of the cheese.
The tables will need some wooden cutting boards, a selection of knives, small serving plates and assorted wine glasses. Prepare ahead of time with a bit of knowledge about each cheese that will be served so that suggestions can be given for tasting combinations.
There are thousands of different types of cheeses available from cultures the world over that are unique and interesting, from the common and well-known ones like brie and cheddar to some of the lesser-known and more peculiar varieties, like burrata or Lancashire cheese.
A few exotic examples are:
• Olomouc cheese from the Czech Republic. This cheese is a bit infamous since it comes with such a strong (some would say stinky) odor. Walk into any shop that sells it and it’s the first thing anyone can smell. Named after the city Moravia where it originated, this is a ripened soft cheese that has been made for more than 600 years.
• Drunken goat cheese from Spain. This is made by curing unpasteurized goat cheese in red wine for approximately 48-72 hours. It’s a semi-firm cheese that is also known as Murcia al Vino, indicating the type of goat it is made from.
• Gjetost (“yay-toast”) cheese from Norway. This unique cheese is made from a blend of cow’s milk and goat’s milk. It comes in a block and has a dark orange, almost brownish color that makes it look like chocolate. Plus, it’s a little sweet, so it tastes a bit like caramel fudge — perfect with a cup of coffee.
National Cheese Day is all about learning more about cheese, celebrating cheese, eating cheese — and not feeling guilty about it.
In addition, National Cheese Day is all about embracing this culinary delight, getting well-educated about all things related to cheese and trying out different recipes that incorporate this amazing ingredient.
Colorado Cottage Foods certification
There will be a Colorado Cottage Foods certification class on June 5 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Check out our Facebook page for more information.
CPR and first aid classes
CPR and first aid certification classes are offered every other month at the CSU Extension office, generally on the second Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification. Call the Extension office at (970) 246-5931 to register.
Check out the online option on our website, https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/.
