National Cheddar Day

According to the US Department of Agriculture, cheddar is the world’s most popular cheese, consumed more than any other. And it’s obvious why. With a range of maturities and flavors, cheddar is extremely versatile and widely enjoyed by people with a variety of tastes. 

So go on and get cheesy because National Cheddar Day is here!

History of National Cheddar Day

Cheddar cheese has a history that dates back several hundred years, to the twelfth century. The legend goes that in the village of Cheddar, in Somerset, England, a young woman placed a pail of milk in a cave to keep it cool on a hot day, as was the practice at the time. She forgot about the pail of milk and when she returned, it had turned into this delicious hardened cheese that everyone loves today.

As monarchs and royals began to enjoy the flavors and tastes that cheddar cheese brought, it became popular around England and then moved over to Europe. Kings and queens alike would enjoy the round wheels of orange-colored cheese that eventually became famous the world over.

Cheddar made its way into the New World with the settlers who started making cheddar in the United States. Eventually, by the year 1790, the colonists were making their own cheddar cheese and exporting it back to their home country of England. By 1851, the world’s first cheese factory was opened in upstate New York where the largest production of cheese was focused on cheddar, of course.

Today, the influence of cheddar cheese reaches far and wide, but the US holds the title as the world’s largest cheddar producer, with Germany coming in second. In fact, in 2020 more than 3.8 billion pounds of cheddar cheese were produced by cheese makers in the United States.

The state of Wisconsin produces the most cheddar cheese in the United States and cheddar is the most commonly used choice for cheeseburgers. 

So it stands to reason that National Cheddar Day would be established to pay honor and respect to this incredible and delightful cheese!

How to Celebrate National Cheddar Day

Take some time to celebrate the wonders of this culinary delight by enjoying some special activities related to National Cheddar Day. Get started on the day’s celebrations with some of these cheddar cheese ideas:

Enjoy Some Cheddar Cheese

Get out those favorite cheddar cheese recipes and whip up something delicious. Or, even better, keep it simple and enjoy some slices of delicious cheddar cheese just on their own. In fact, cheddar makes a great snack! Combine cheddars with apple slices, pear slices, grapes or other types of fruit, as well as crackers, pretzels, breadsticks, slices of bread and so much more.

Host a Cheddar Cheese Tasting Party

Have tons of fun and get super cheesy in honor of National Cheddar Day. Host a cheddar tasting party that allows for different types of cheddar and cheese to be tasted, served along with various fruits, crackers, breads, olives or a full charcuterie board. Go for a sophisticated vibe by offering wines and other cocktails. Or, make it a bit more silly and kid-friendly by serving soft drinks and inviting everyone to dress up wearing their favorite cheese heads, cheesy outfits or even a mouse costume!

Make Some Unique Cheddar Recipes

Food holidays are a delight when it comes to celebrating in the kitchen and National Cheddar Day is no exception! Try out some of these delicious ideas for cooking with cheddar on this special day:

• Mom’s Mac ‘n Cheese. Cheddar is better when it’s made into delicious comfort food that makes it melty, gooey and delicious! This classic American dish is likely what every little wheel of cheddar dreams of becoming. 
• Cheddar Potato Soup. Using yummy potatoes as a base and adding tasty chunks of cheese that melt in, a recipe for cheesy potato soup is perfect on a winter day. Add in some chunks of ham or bacon for a meaty flavor, or bits of broccoli for a healthy spin. 
• Au Gratin Potatoes. Thin slices of potatoes coated in cheese and baked to perfection! An au gratin potato recipe brings comfort food to a whole new level, making a great side for steak, ham, pork chops and more. 
• The Ultimate Grilled Cheese. When paired with artisan bread, amazing cheddar and unique fillings, grilled cheese sandwiches are anything but boring! Try unique combinations with cheddar cheese, such as pear with avocado, apple slices with apricot jam, or even add a fried egg.