Weird but True Facts You Never Knew About Cheese

We know cheese is your favorite food. Ours too. But how much do you really know about cheese? Here are a few bizarre facts about the creation of this joyous dairy treat that might well surprise you…

Cheese Helps You Sleep Better

Don’t worry about nightmares. A study from the British cheese board found that eating cheese immediately before going to bed increases the chance that you’ll have a deep, comfortable sleep.

That said, any study from the British Cheese Board does seem like it might be a little biased to begin with.

All Orange Cheese is Artificially Colored

No cheese is naturally orange. Cheese which contains anything other than a pale yellow or white hue has been artificially colored. This practice dates back to the 17th century, when cheese makers would color low-fat, inferior cheese with saffron to make it seem more impressive.

The USDA Regulates Swiss Cheese Hole Size

Holes in Swiss cheese are carefully regulated by the USDA. Holes are not allowed to be larger than 3/8 of an inch, as this compromises the integrity of the cheese.

The USDA needn’t worry, though, as this problem is solving itself…

Swiss Cheese Holes are Shrinking

Holes in Swiss cheese have been getting progressively smaller in recent years. Experts disagree on the explanation for holes in cheese, with many believing it’s the result of bacteria that form the cheese, while others believe it’s the result of dust or impurity in the ingredients.

Either way, cleaner, more sanitized manufacturing conditions have resulted in less holey cheese.