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Cheese is one of the most popular foods all across the globe and its popularity in America is booming. In fact, CNBC reported that the average American ate just over 14 pounds of cheese in 1975 which has swelled to a whopping 38 pounds in 2018. A lot of this popularity is attributed to America’s love of pizza making mozzarella now the number one cheese of choice nation-wide. Whether you love parmesan or mozzarella, prefer moldy cheese like gorgonzola or blue cheese, everyone seems to have a favorite and we decided to take a deep dive to learn more about this incredibly popular food.
The history of cheese
Cheese has been around for centuries, with the actual time and place of origin of cheesemaking dating back to between 8-10,000 years ago. It’s commonly believed that cheese may have been discovered by accident with milk left in containers, but there are a few other theories floating around. While the art of making cheese took years to develop and fully integrate into society, it wasn’t until the Roman Empire when it became a part of everyday culture.
Early on, Europe and the Middle East were perfecting the art of making cheese and had hundreds of varieties. While cheese is incredibly popular all over the world today, it wasn’t until the 17th century that cheese was introduced to the Americas. Fast forward to the mid-1800’s when the first cheese factory opened in Wisconsin and the industry exploded.
Everybody loves cheese
Nowadays you can’t seem to find a menu that doesn’t have cheese in some form incorporated. Whether it be baked in, sprinkled on top, or served raw, recipes containing cheese are consistently some of the top sellers. You can typically find some form of macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, or pizza on a menu, which can be served hundreds of ways.
We all know cheese tastes amazing, but have you ever wondered why people love it so much? First and foremost, this ooey-gooey snack is considered a comfort food. There are about 2,000 varieties of cheese and melt-in-your-mouth cheeses like buffalo mozzarella and ricotta evoke the same feelings as a heaping bowl of creamy mashed potatoes. Secondly, because there are so many varieties of cheese, there is a flavor for virtually everyone. From sharp and moldy to rich and creamy there’s an option to satisfy any craving which makes cheese exciting and unique.
Cheese in America
Even though there are thousands of cheese varieties, the one that ranks above the rest in the United States is mozzarella (followed closely by cheddar). While mozzarella is great with pasta dishes and paired with fresh tomatoes and topped with basil, it’s truly a top seller because of its connection with pizza. Shredded mozzarella cheese is the standard go to topping for pizza, especially in America, whereas in Italy, torn mozzarella or mozzarella slices top many of their pies. Because pizza is so popular in America, it’s no wonder mozzarella has become the number one cheese seller.
The best cheese in the pizza business
At Squisito Pizza & Pasta we love cheese so much that you can find all types of cheeses on our menu from mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan to ricotta, gorgonzola, and feta. Because pizza is our number one seller, we knew right away how important it is to source the finest cheese for our pies! That’s why we only order from Grande Cheese, a company that uses grade-A dairy to craft authentic Italian cheeses. The people at Grande know that the secret ingredient behind cheese is the milk, which is why they’ve invested in dairy farms to ensure the consistency and quality is always top notch.
#BeCheesy at Squisito
When you think of the term “be cheesy”, often a big “cheesy” smile comes to mind, or an amazing cheese pull from your favorite dish. At Squisito we believe life is too short to be anything but cheesy and you should indulge in good times and good food! That’s why we’re rolling out our #BeCheesy campaign to highlight the top cheesy dishes on our menu and we can’t wait
Order a slice of classic cheese pizza or top your steaming bowl of pasta with some sprinkled parmesan to celebrate this delicious food. Click here to find a location near you and to check out our menu so you can truly be #BeCheesy with Squisito!