The Fascinating World of Cheese

Cheese has been a staple for millennia. The earliest evidence dates back to 5500 BCE in what is now Poland. Ancient cheese-making likely began with sheep or goat's milk.

Over 1,800 types of cheese exist globally, each with unique flavors and textures. They range from France's soft Camembert to Italy's hard Parmigiano-Reggiano, showcasing diverse cheese-making techniques.

Blue cheese's distinctive veins are from Penicillium mold. Historically, cheeses were aged in caves, where these molds naturally occurred, leading to the accidental creation of blue cheese.

While often high in fat, cheese is also rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins B12 and A. Some studies suggest that moderate cheese consumption can be part of a healthy diet.

The title for the world's smelliest cheese goes to 'Vieux Boulogne'. A French cheese, its pungent odor is so strong, it's scientifically proven to be the most intense.

Cheese production can have a significant environmental impact. For example, producing a kilogram of cheese can emit as much CO2 as driving a car for 10 miles, due to methane from dairy cows.

In a unique experiment, 12 wheels of French cheese were sent to the International Space Station. This was to study how microgravity affects the aging process and flavor of cheese.