National Cheese Day: Americans’ Favorite Cheeses and the Most Cheese-Obsessed States
National Cheese Day: Americans' Favorite Cheeses and the Most Cheese-Obsessed States
Today is National Cheese Day . . . and according to a new survey, 52% of Americans self-identify as “cheese-obsessed.”
16% say they’re “constantly” eating cheese, while 61% consume it “often” or “sometimes.” Only 3% said they never eat cheese.
Which is surprising, because at least 10% of Americans have some degree of lactose intolerance by age 20. And 36% have “lactose malabsorption,” which is a digestive issue that can cause lactose intolerance. (Of course, there are also cheeses low in lactose and lactose-free. And some just eat it anyway.)
The survey also has a list of the most “cheese-enthusiastic states” . . . and somehow, Wisconsin didn’t make the cut. Very little of the Midwest showed up.
Wyoming is #1. Illinois is #2, followed by Alaska . . . Louisiana . . . Oregon . . . Mississippi . . . Nebraska . . . Connecticut . . . Idaho . . . Maine . . . and New Mexico.
There’s also a list of America’s 10 favorite chesses . . . and you can probably guess the top two: Cheddar is #1, followed by mozzarella.
Parmesan is next, followed by American . . . cream cheese . . . provolone . . . Monterey Jack . . . Colby . . . pepper jack . . . and Swiss.
If you break it down by state, cheddar is more popular in the western half of the country, and a lot of the South. Mozzarella is more popular in the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast . . . along with Florida, and parts of the Plains. (Here’s a map.)
But according to another report, HALF of the total cheese consumption in the world is of Gouda cheese. And there are around 1,000 different French cheeses, so if you’re a cheese maniac, that’s on your Bucket List.
(You’d have to be cool with the funky stuff, like blue cheese, aged wheels, and the really soft cheeses.)
