National Cheddar Day is observed each year on February 13. It was created in 2019 by the Tillamook County Creamery Association to mark the company’s 110th anniversary. The farmer-owned cooperative began in 1909 and chose this date to celebrate one of its most important products.
Cheddar cheese itself has a very long history. It takes its name from the village of Cheddar in England, where it was first made in the 1100s. Over time, cheddar became one of the most widely produced cheeses in the United States and is now the second most popular cheese in the country, after mozzarella.
National Cheddar Day is a relatively new food holiday and it highlights how cheddar is used in popular foods such as grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and cheeseburgers. It also introduces people to the different types of cheddar, from mild and creamy to sharp and aged.
🧀 Interesting Cheddar Facts
Cheddar is a cheese many people grow up eating in sandwiches, burgers, and pasta. It may seem simple, but it has been made for centuries and has a few surprising stories behind it.
Aged in Natural Caves
True Cheddar comes from Cheddar, Somerset, England. In the 12th century, farmers aged cheese in the Cheddar Gorge caves, where steady temperature and humidity created ideal ripening conditions.
Why Is Cheddar Orange?
Natural cheddar is off-white. In the 1600s, some cheesemakers added annatto, a plant-based coloring, to deepen the shade. The color does not change the flavor.
“Cheddaring” Is a Process
After curds form, they are cut, stacked, and turned repeatedly to remove moisture. This step gives cheddar its firm, slightly crumbly texture.
How Cheddar Ages
Mild cheddar ages for a few months, while sharp varieties can mature for a year or more. Aging deepens flavor and can create small calcium lactate crystals that add a slight crunch.
🧀 How People Celebrate in 2026
National Cheddar Day is on February 13. Because it shares the date with Galentine’s Day, many people include cheddar in friendly get-togethers or shared meals.
💛 Celebrate Both
National Cheddar Day shares the date with Galentine’s Day, so you can celebrate both—gather friends and build a menu around cheddar dishes.
🍳 Cheesy Meals
There are so many tasty ways to cook with cheddar. Add it to omelets, breakfast burritos, grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta, soups, or burgers.
🧀 Cheddar Tastings
Host small tasting boards to compare mild, sharp, and extra sharp cheddar and notice how aging changes flavor and texture.
📱 Social Media Posts
Share photos of melted cheese pulls, snack boards, or recipes using #NationalCheddarDay.
🏷️ Brand Promotions
Companies such as Tillamook and Cabot Creamery sometimes run themed campaigns, contests, or special cheddar bundles around this date.
🧀 National Cheddar Day Upcoming Dates
National Cheddar Day is observed every year on February 13 . The date remains the same each year, while the weekday shifts.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 13 | Friday |
| 2027 | February 13 | Saturday |
| 2028 | February 13 | Sunday |
| 2029 | February 13 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | February 13 | Wednesday |
