National Moldy Cheese Day

Hip hip hooray - Oct. 9 is (National) Moldy Cheese Day! While the thought of moldy cheese may not be too appetizing, this annual “holiday” can be celebrated two totally different ways.

How to Celebrate Moldy Cheese Day

National Moldy Cheese Day serves as a reminder to take a peek at what’s lurking in your refrigerator. It’s time to check your cheese! Who wants to bite into a piece of moldy cheese during a midnight fridge raid?

You can also celebrate this cheesy day by enjoying a slice or two of blue (bleu) cheese in all its moldy glory! Penicillum roqueforti or Penicillum glaucum are what causes those lovely bluish-greenish hues in blue cheese. According to Britannica, Penicillum roqueforti and P. glaucum are actually added to the milk or curds prior to pressing and are “activated” by air. Tiny holes are then punched into the cheese which allows the mold spores to grow and spread.

Cheesy Facts

• It is believed cheese was made before 6000 B.C.

• Americans consumed about 11 pounds of cheese per person back in 1970 and demand for cheese continues to “grow.”

• In 2003, Americans consumed 31 pounds of cheese per person, according to the Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources and Rural America!

• While United States is the world’s top producer of cheese, Greece and France are the leaders in cheese consumption per capita. Folks in Greece gobble up about 63 pounds of cheese per year while the French eat about 54 pounds. Now that's a lotta cheese!

• And what is America’s favorite cheese? Mozzarella, of course!

Whether you prefer Cheddar, American, Swiss, Brie, Blue or Provolone, Americans love cheese! Pass the cheese, please! October 9 is also Fire Prevention Day and Curious Events Day. Curious?