It’s fairly well known, or at least assumed, that Swiss cheese originated in Switzerland, but who made it? Who makes it today? What’s the process? Who invented the famous Swiss cheese holes? These are just some of the questions about Swiss cheese that have burned in the minds of cheese lovers for centuries. And now, you’re about to get a complete answer to all of these questions.
The process of making Swiss cheese is quite complicated and time-consuming. First, the cheese makers create a batch of cheese curds, which are then heated, stirred, and cut until the desired size of the curds is reached. The cheese curds are then placed in a vat, where they are further stirred and a large amount of rennet is added. The rennet is an enzyme that helps the milk to form into the familiar Swiss cheese shape.
Once the rennet has done its job, the cheese curds are stirred until they become soft and creamy. This mixture is removed from the vat and then is aged for several years in a cool, dark place. During this time, the cheese develops its signature nutty flavor and texture.
The famous Swiss cheese holes are actually created by bacteria called Propionibacter shermani. This bacterial culture is intentionally added to the cheese mixture and, as it ages, these bacteria produce carbon dioxide that forms tiny bubbles in the cheese.
Swiss cheese is often mistaken for other types of cheese including cheddar cheese. Compared to Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese is made in one simple step – aging it. It does not have a nutty flavor like Swiss cheese due to the lack of bacterial cultures.
Traditional Swiss cheese is believe to have been invented in the 1800s in Switzerland by cheese makers in the Alps. However, the modern Swiss cheese we know and love today is more likely to have been invented in the late 1930s in the United States. At that time, an active movement to Americanize the cheese was taking place.
The processes of making Swiss cheese and transport it from where it was made had been made much easier thanks to advances in technology, including new packaging and refrigeration. This allowed more people in the US to have access to the cheese that they could not buy before. Plus, some of the traditional recipes were changed slightly to make it easier to make and better suited for the American market.
Now that you know who made Swiss cheese and how it’s made, it’s time to appreciate the amazingness that is Swiss cheese! Whether you’re a fan of the classic Swiss fondue, the convenience of sliced Swiss cheese sandwiches, or the nutty flavor of Swiss cheese as part of an Italian salad, there’s nothing quite like Swiss cheese. Grab yourself some Swiss cheese today and enjoy the divine goodness that this delicious cheese has to offer!
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