While cheese may seem like an ordinary part of the general diet, many fascinating facts are unknown about cheese. Whether you are enjoying a cheese pairing with your vintages on a Tastes of The Hunter Wine Tours or looking for the best cheese for your sandwich, there is more to this dairy delight than you know.

The history of cheese in itself is fascinating, but in this article, we are going to take a look at a few fun little-known facts instead. Let’s take a closer look at five of the most interesting cheese facts that you can share with your friends and family.

You Can Carve Cheese for a Living

If you have an artistic flare, it’s possible for you to make a living carving intricate designs into cheese. In the same way, as a sculptor may create something beautiful out of clay, ice, or wood, you can use various kinds of cheese as an artful medium. Your creations will end up on someone’s table rather than in a gallery, but there is definitely a demand for this type of talent. You could make cheese sculptures for parties, weddings, or corporate events.

Mold Can Be Bad

It’s well known that certain cheeses are enhanced by tasty mold. However, mold on every type of cheese could make you sick. According to dieticians, soft and creamy cheeses should be thrown away if they are moldy. Harder cheeses like Parmesan and cheddar are safe to eat once you have cut away the moldy parts. On the other end of the spectrum, cheeses, including Gorgonzola and Brie, are delicious when eaten with the mold present.

Cheese Brine Can Melt Ice

Wisconsin has a long and rich history with cheese and produces some of the most highly appreciated cheeses in the world. It also has long winters that include dangerous and icy roads. The rock salt that is traditionally used to help keep the roads free of ice has become expensive, so several Wisconsin municipalities have come up with an alternate solution that includes cheese brine. The brine used to make cheese contains high levels of salt and can be recycled and used on roadways to eliminate ice development.

The Original “Big Cheese”

Two cheese makers from New York gifted Andrew Jackson a massive 1400-pound wheel of cheese in 1835. The sitting President had no idea what to do with the generous gift, and it ended up sitting in the hallway of the White House for over two years. Finally, as Jackson threw his final party honoring the birthday of George Washington, they cut up the cheese and served it to over 200 guests. The legend is that everyone left the part with a huge wedge of cheese until it was all gone.

You're not alone if you enjoy cheese on a sandwich, paired with your favorite wine, or on your macaroni. Millions of people worldwide deeply love cheese and its delicious creations. The next time you enjoy your favorite cheese, consider these interesting facts.