- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- CheeseCookingFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every February 13
- Holiday emoji:
- 🧀
National Cheddar Day celebrates the world’s most popular cheese every February 13. Indulge in its rich history and diverse flavors, from sharp aged blocks to creamy sauces. Grab your favorite cheddar, experiment with new recipes, and share your cheesy creations!
Want to sponsor National Cheddar Day? Learn how
Expected National Cheddar Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Cheddar Day often brings delicious deals from major dairy brands and restaurants. Look for discounts on cheddar blocks and shredded cheese from brands like Tillamook, Cabot Creamery, and Kraft Heinz. Fast-casual restaurants such as Panera Bread and Wendy’s might offer specials on menu items featuring cheddar. Specialty cheese shops like Murray’s Cheese could highlight artisanal cheddar varieties with tasting events or limited-time offers. Keep an eye out for grocery store promotions from retailers like Kroger and Whole Foods. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as February 13 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Cheddar Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalCheddarDay. Film a quick recipe featuring cheddar or a taste test of different cheddar varieties.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalCheddarDay. Share visually appealing photos of your favorite cheddar dishes, cheese boards, or a visit to a creamery.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalCheddarDay. Post a poll asking followers about their favorite cheddar pairing or a photo contest for the cheesiest dish.
National Cheddar Day Hero
Joseph Harding
History of National Cheddar Day
Cheddar cheese accounts for more than a third of all the cheese sold in the United States and is a top choice in most cheese selections. It is unique for the peculiar way it’s made and hails from England.
Cheddar Gorge on the edge of the village, Cheddar in Somerset, England, is home to the origin of cheddar cheese. The gorge has several caves that provide the perfect humidity and steady temperature for maturing the cheese. The popular cheese was first bought by the royal family and is said to have been brought to Britain by the Romans from the Cantal region of France.
The 19th-century father of cheddar cheese, Joseph Harding, was central to the modernization and standardization of Cheddar cheese. He encouraged dairy hygiene and modern cheese-making techniques. The ‘Joseph Harding method’ was the first Cheddar production method based upon scientific principles.
The process called cheddaring is what separates this cheese from others. Cheddaring is an additional step in the production of Cheddar cheese which is done after heating. The curd is kneaded with salt, cut into cubes to drain the whey, and then stacked and turned. The result you get from this step is a denser, crumbly texture.
In 1894, renowned cheesemaker Peter McIntosh brought his cheese-making skills to Tillamook County, Oregon, and in due time was dubbed the Cheese King of the Coast. The local farmers have since formed the farmer-owned cooperative we know today as the Tillamook County Creamery Association. In 2019, the association founded National Cheddar Day on February 13. The purpose was to celebrate Tillamook’s 110th birthday and share a passion for cheddar with cheese-lovers nationwide.
National Cheddar Day timeline
A pipe roll of King Henry II records the purchase of 10,240 pounds of cheddar cheese.
Somerset dairyman Joseph Harding modernizes and standardizes cheddar-making techniques.
Renowned cheesemaker Peter McIntosh brings his cheese-making skills to Tillamook County, Oregon.
Tillamook County Creamery Association establishes National Cheddar Day.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Cheddar Day
Local businesses can celebrate National Cheddar Day by incorporating cheddar into special menu items or promotions. Restaurants could offer a ‘Cheddar Flight’ featuring different ages or origins, or a limited-time cheddar-infused dish. Bakeries might create savory cheddar scones or biscuits. Grocery stores can set up tasting stations for various cheddar brands and offer discounts on cheese and crackers. Even non-food businesses could run a cheesy social media contest, giving away cheddar-themed prizes to engage their audience.
National Cheddar Day FAQs
When is National Cheddar Day?
In 2027, National Cheddar Day is observed on Saturday, February 13. This weekend placement offers ample opportunity for a leisurely cheddar-filled celebration.
Where did cheddar cheese originate?
The earliest records of cheddar cheese production trace back to the 1100s in Cheddar, England. King Henry II famously purchased over 10,000 pounds of it in 1170, highlighting its long-standing popularity.
How much cheddar cheese is consumed annually?
While precise global figures vary, cheddar is a dominant force in the cheese market. It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of tons of cheddar are produced and consumed worldwide each year, with its versatility driving demand.
What makes cheddar cheese unique?
The defining characteristic of cheddar is the ‘cheddaring’ process, a technique where cheese curds are repeatedly turned and piled to expel moisture and develop a characteristic texture and flavor. This process gives cheddar its signature firm, often crumbly, consistency and rich taste.
National Cheddar Day Activities
Eat some cheddar cheese
Thankfully there are many meals containing cheddar cheese we can now enjoy. Have a nice cheesy burger, some perfectly grilled cheese, a nice plate of mac and cheese, or any other meal you enjoy that contains cheddar cheese.
See how cheddar cheese is made
Today will be the perfect time to rally friends and family around for a road trip. Go to your local-renowned cheesemaker to watch in person how this delicious cheese is made. If you are in Tillamook County, you are even more fortunate, head over to the inventors of the day themselves and see how they make their cheddar.
Cook something with cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is a great ingredient for adding some flavor and drama into meals. Look for a recipe containing cheddar cheese, and try it out. Make it more fun by hosting loved ones for lunch or dinner.
5 Interesting Facts About Cheddar Cheese
Mac and cheese is a popular recipe
Mac and cheese is the most popular recipe that uses cheddar cheese.
It was a royal wedding gift
Queen Victoria was given a giant wheel of cheese weighing 992 pounds as a wedding gift.
The second most popular cheese in America
Cheddar cheese is the second most popular cheese, falling right under Mozzarella.
It ages for at least three months
Cheddar cheese ages for a minimum of three to six months, preferably one-and-a-half to two years.
America’s first cheese factory specialized in it
In 1851, the first cheese factory in the United States opened in upstate New York and specialized in cheddar.
Why We Love National Cheddar Day
We love cheese
If you are a lover of cheese, what’s not to love about National Cheddar Day? Cheese adds drama to most of our basic dishes, and we cannot get enough of it.
It’s the perfect excuse to eat cheese
We tend to shy away from cheese because of the fat content, but on National Cheddar Day, it’s only right to have some cheese and have it abundantly. So forget the fat today, and have some cheese.
We get to try out new recipes
Today provides the perfect opportunity to sharpen your cooking skills by making some cheddar recipes. There are numerous recipes online that contain cheddar cheese, today pick one and try it out.
National Cheddar Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | February 13 | Saturday |
| 2028 | February 13 | Sunday |
| 2029 | February 13 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | February 13 | Wednesday |
| 2031 | February 13 | Thursday |
Social Media Tips for National Cheddar Day
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