With a chef who comes from the land this magic and delicious white stuff known as Mozzarella is renowned for, it was only a matter of time before we would write something about it!
While researching the material for this post, I came across a selection of rather interesting facts about cheese in general rather than just mozzarella… So I have combined a few you may find amusing.
Fact 1
There is no exact information regarding the origin of cheese, archaeological studies have shown the origin of cheese dates as far
back as 6000 BC. Studies also show that during that era cheese was made from cow’s milk and goats in Mesopotamia. Legend has It that mozzarella was first made when cheese curds accidentally fell into a pail of hot water in a cheese factory near Naples…. and soon thereafter the first pizza was made. Actually, new cheeses are often formulated when mistakes happen, so there may well be truth in the tale!
Fact 2
There are more than 2000 varieties of cheese available worldwide, mozzarella is the favourite around the globe, and the most consumed. That’s quite impressive!
Fact 3
People of Greece are the largest consumers of cheese worldwide. An average person from Greece consumes around 27.3 kg of cheese every year, about ¾ of which is feta cheese. That not actually that surprising – the Greeks put Feta on everything! At least in Italy, we alternate between Mozzarella, Parmesan, Pecorino… and more! 🙂
Fact 4
Pizza Hut is the largest cheese-using fast food giant, it uses
approximately 300 million pounds of cheese annually, mostly on pizza. Interestingly, this fact said cheese and not mozzarella….. In fact, what you see on a pizza is not the traditional mozzarella but more so a low moisture version that is made specifically for pizza.
Fact 5
Cheese production around the globe is more than the combined worldwide production of coffee, tobacco, tea, and cocoa beans. WOW!!! This I did not know!
Fact 6
The first cheese factory was established in Switzerland in 1815, (where else, come on?!?!) however successful mass production began in 1851 in the United States . (I say it again, where else?! Note Switzerland = first; America = mass production)
Fact 7
Contrary to popular belief cheese, eaten in moderate quantities, is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus. It’s its saturated fat content is responsible for its bad reputation. (Still confused… is it good for us or does it just taste good? Who cares… )
Fact 8
Traditional mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala) is made from water buffalo milk though the most commercially available is made from cow’s milk.
Fact 9
Cheese can be produced using a variety of milk including cow, buffalo, goat, horse, and even camel. Camel cheese?!!? Interesting….
Fact 10
A whopping 20 million metric tons of cheese is produced worldwide each year and production is increasing with growing demand.
Fact 11
Approximately 10 pounds of milk is required to make one pound of
cheese. If it wasn’t for cheese a lot of milk would have been wasted.
Fact 12
Cheese is kept for a period of time before its ready to eat. Some varieties of cheese, blue cheese, gorgonzola, and brie are exposed to mould which helps them age properly. Yuk… yet yummy!
Fact 13
During the Roman Empire large Roman houses had separate kitchens for manufacturing cheese only, they were called careale. A whole room for cheese?!?! Now we’re talking!
Fact 14
Some varieties of cheese like mozzarella, cheddar, Swiss and American, help prevent tooth decay. It promotes the flow of saliva which leads to elimination of sugar and acids from the mouth. So why is cheese breath frowned upon?!
After all of that….all you have to do is come and enjoy some of our amazing Mozzarella di Buffala which we have delivered directly from Italy. It’s the real deal and it is simply delicious!