National Cheese Lover’s Day, celebrated on January 20th, honors people’s appreciation for cheese in all its varieties and forms. From sharp cheddars to creamy bries, this day encourages cheese enthusiasts to enjoy their favorites.
Americans, in particular, have steadily increased their cheese consumption over the years, reaching nearly 42 pounds per person in 2022. This growth reflects cheese’s popularity as a snack, ingredient, and staple in many households. National Cheese Lover’s Day is a moment to recognize the special place cheese holds in American kitchens and hearts.
For those interested in other cheese-related celebrations, here are a few to remember:
- January 2: Swiss Cheese Day
- June 4: National Cheese Day
- July 14: National Mac and Cheese Day
- July 25: National Wine and Cheese Day
- September 5: National Cheese Pizza Day
- October 9: National Moldy Cheese Day
A Brief History of Cheese
Cheese dates back more than 7,000 years, with its origins believed to lie in the Middle East or Central Asia. Ancient farmers discovered that storing milk in animal stomachs, which contained natural rennet, led to curds separating from whey—creating the earliest forms of cheese. Over time, cheese became a staple in European diets, with monks in the Middle Ages perfecting many of the traditional methods still used today. The industrial revolution then brought cheese into the modern era, making it widely accessible across the world.
When is National Cheese Lover’s Day Celebrated?
If you’re ready to celebrate cheese every year, it’s helpful to know when National Cheese Lover’s Day falls. This day consistently lands on January 20th, giving you the perfect excuse to enjoy your favorite cheeses right at the start of the year. Mark your calendars for the following dates through 2030:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | January 20, Monday |
| 2026 | January 20, Tuesday |
| 2027 | January 20, Wednesday |
| 2028 | January 20, Thursday |
| 2029 | January 20, Saturday |
| 2030 | January 20, Sunday |
Fun Facts About Cheese
Cheese is more than just a topping or snack—it’s a food with a fascinating story. Here are some fun facts to keep in mind as you celebrate National Cheese Lover’s Day:
- The world’s most expensive cheese, pule, is made from donkey’s milk and costs over $1,000 per pound.
- There are cheese caves in France where rounds of cheese age in temperature-controlled environments, ensuring the perfect flavor and texture.
- The largest cheese ever made weighed over 57,000 pounds and was produced in Wisconsin, fittingly known as the cheese capital of the U.S.
12 Types of Cheese to Explore on National Cheese Lover’s Day
If you’re a cheese lover, you won’t have any trouble finding ways to celebrate. The best way to celebrate is, of course, by eating some particularly tasty cheese! Luckily, if you’re tired of the cheeses you usually eat, there’s no shortage of cheese varieties to enjoy, and each one brings something unique to the table. Let’s take a look at 12 popular and lesser-known types of cheese, along with what makes them stand out:
- Burrata: A fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream, Burrata has a soft, almost liquid center. When cut open, it releases a creamy filling that makes it an irresistible topping for salads, pizzas, or fresh tomatoes.
- Roquefort: A bold, blue-veined cheese from France, Roquefort is made from sheep’s milk and aged in limestone caves. It has a sharp, tangy flavor and is one of the oldest known blue cheeses. Legend has it Roquefort was discovered by accident when a young shepherd left his meal of bread and cheese in a cave, returning weeks later to find the cheese had developed blue veins.
- Sainte-Maure de Touraine: A goat’s cheese from the Loire Valley in France, Sainte-Maure de Touraine is easily recognized by its log shape and straw that runs through the center. It has a soft, tangy flavor and is often dusted with ash for aging, which gives it a slightly earthy undertone.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano: Known as the “King of Cheeses,” Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard, granular cheese from Italy with a savory, umami-packed flavor. True Parmigiano-Reggiano must be made in specific regions of Italy and aged for at least 12 months.
- Camembert: Similar to brie, Camembert is another soft cheese with a creamy interior. This French cheese has a slightly stronger flavor than brie and becomes runny as it ripens, perfect for spreading on bread or crackers.
- Mahon: A lesser-known cheese from Spain’s Menorca Island, Mahon is a cow’s milk cheese with a sharp, salty flavor that intensifies as it ages. Its distinct orange rind and crumbly texture make it a standout on any cheese platter.
- Brie: This soft, creamy cheese from France is known for its bloomy rind and mild, buttery flavor. Brie is best served at room temperature to enhance its rich, velvety texture. In France, it’s often referred to as “The Queen of Cheeses.
- Gouda: A Dutch cheese with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, Gouda can range from soft to firm depending on its age. The name Gouda comes from the city in the Netherlands, though it’s produced across the country.
- Halloumi: Originating from Cyprus, halloumi is a semi-hard cheese that doesn’t melt when grilled or fried, making it perfect for cooking. It has a salty, savory flavor and is often served with salads or in sandwiches.
- Manchego: A Spanish cheese made from sheep’s milk, Manchego is firm with a slightly tangy, nutty flavor. It’s often aged for different periods, giving it a range of textures from soft to crumbly. It’s a popular choice in tapas and pairs wonderfully with olives and cured meats.
- Taleggio: Hailing from Italy, Taleggio is a semi-soft cheese with a strong aroma and a mild, fruity flavor. It has a thin, orange rind and a creamy interior, making it a perfect addition to risottos or polenta.
- Raclette: This Swiss cheese is traditionally melted and scraped over potatoes, pickles, and cured meats. Raclette is semi-hard and has a buttery, mildly nutty flavor that makes it ideal for fondue or the classic “raclette” dish.
These cheeses offer a world of flavors, textures, and culinary experiences, making National Cheese Lover’s Day the perfect time to explore something new. From classic favorites to lesser-known gems, every cheese tells a story—so why not try one (or several) you’ve never had before?
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
