- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- CheeseFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every January 20
- Holiday emoji:
- 🧀
National Cheese Lover’s Day arrives every January 20, inviting everyone to indulge in their favorite dairy delight. From creamy brie to sharp cheddar, this day is a celebration of all things cheesy. Gather your friends, host a tasting party, or simply enjoy a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.
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Expected National Cheese Lover's Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Cheese Lover’s Day brings out the best deals from restaurants and grocery stores. Look for discounts on cheese boards, specialty cheeses, and cheesy menu items. Major pizza chains like Domino’s and Pizza Hut often offer BOGO deals or discounted cheese pizzas. Fast-casual spots like Panera Bread and Moe’s Southwest Grill might feature limited-time cheesy specials. Grocery stores such as Kroger, Whole Foods Market, and Aldi typically run sales on a wide variety of cheeses, from artisanal selections to everyday favorites. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 20 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Cheese Lover's Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalCheeseLoversDay. Share your favorite cheese recipes or a creative cheese pull video.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalCheeseLoversDay. Post aesthetically pleasing photos of your cheese boards or cheesy dishes.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalCheeseLoversDay. Ask your followers to share their ultimate cheese pairings.
National Cheese Lover's Day Hero
The First Cheesemakers
History of National Cheese Lover's Day
It seems like cheese has been around forever. There aren’t any records pinpointing the exact event when cheese was created, but the earliest record of pasteurizing cheese dates back to 5500 B.C. in the geographical region that’s now Poland. The earliest cheeses were mostly cottage cheese churned at home, and this is likely how cheesemaking started.
Thousands of years ago, milk was transported by people by storing it in the stomachs of sheep. When left for a few days, the milk would separate into whey and curd. Retaining this residue and preserving it with salt led to the formation of cheese. Today, there are more than 1,800 types of cheese in the world.
The rest of the history of cheese is as extravagant and full of flavor as cheese itself. Enjoyed by royalty, the poor, and modern-day consumers, there is something for everyone. Some parts of the world are very secretive about their cheese heritage, keeping the ingredients and techniques private.
Cheesemaking itself is a very sensitive process. Everything from the environment, to the temperature of the milk will impact the taste and aroma of the cheese.
National Cheese Lover's Day timeline
During the Roman Empire, cheesemaking had widely become a valued practice in the Middle East and Europe.
Cheese production started in America after English dairy farmers brought their farming and cheesemaking knowledge with them to New English colonies.
The first farmstead cheese factory was opened in Koshkonong, Wisconsin.
With the invention of the refrigerator, cheese preservation became better and more utilized for homes.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Cheese Lover's Day
Local businesses can embrace National Cheese Lover’s Day by offering special promotions and engaging customers with cheesy delights. Restaurants could feature a limited-time ‘Ultimate Grilled Cheese’ or a curated cheese board special. Delis and gourmet food shops can host cheese tasting events, showcasing local and international varieties, perhaps with wine or craft beer pairings. Even non-food businesses can join by offering cheesy puns in marketing or partnering with a local creamery for a giveaway, encouraging community engagement and a fun atmosphere.
Traditions for National Cheese Lovers Day
National Cheese Lovers Day is all about discovering cheese and experimenting with it. Make things exciting by incorporating different cheeses in different recipes, and savoring the end result. You can try to use artisanal cheese to prepare mac and cheese instead of using the boxed variety, or you can even try to ferment your own cheese at home.
Cheese tasting events are quite popular today as well, giving newbies and connoisseurs the opportunity to learn about some of the finest cheese in the world. Some restaurants also offer special deals on their cheese menu or have special dishes added to the menu for the day.
Cheese By The Numbers
1,800 — the number of varieties of cheese around the world.
5 — the number of years it would take to try one cheese per day.
57,518 pounds — the weight of the heaviest cheese prepared in the world by a Canadian cheesemaker.
$600-$1000 — the price range that a pound of cheese can sell for.
300 million pounds — the amount of cheese used annually by Pizza Hut.
70% — the percentage of Americans who prefer American cheese on their burgers.
1/10 — the volume of milk that evaporates when the cheese is made.
33 pounds — the amount of cheese eaten by an American adult every year.
National Cheese Lover's Day FAQs
When is National Cheese Lover's Day?
In 2027, National Cheese Lover’s Day falls on Wednesday, January 20. Mark your calendars for a delightful day dedicated to all things cheese.
How much cheese do Americans eat?
The United States is a major consumer of cheese, with per capita consumption consistently ranking among the highest globally. This translates to billions of pounds of cheese enjoyed annually across the country.
What is the most popular type of cheese globally?
Globally, cheddar and mozzarella vie for the top spot in popularity. Mozzarella’s versatility in cooking, particularly for pizzas, contributes to its high demand, while cheddar’s rich flavor makes it a staple.
How is cheese made?
The cheesemaking process begins with milk, which is acidified and coagulated to form curds. These curds are then drained, shaped, and allowed to ripen or age, a crucial step that defines the cheese’s final characteristics.
National Cheese Lover's Day Activities
Dare to go beyond cheddar
Get to know the cheese-monger at your grocery story, and get the slice on something new. Will today be the day you try that mysterious ‘cave-aged gruyere’ or give yourself over to the wonders of a Danish Blue? Whatever you buy, it’s sure to be delicious. It is cheese, after all. You can’t go wrong!
Be a Fondue!
A big vat of bubbly delicious-ness, that’s been mixed up with wine or beer? Yes please! This National Cheese Lover’s Day, try making your own fondue! It’s basically a giant vat of melted cheese—we think you can handle that. What are you going to dip in it, you ask? Buy an assortment of meats, bread, and fresh veggies. The meat will cook when you dip it in the hot fondue, and the bread and veggies will warm to the perfect temperature. Our mouths are watering.
Make your own
Ricotta (and the Indian cheese called ‘paneer’) are easy to make at home—and need little more than whole milk, lemon or vinegar, a big pot and cheesecloth for straining. Check your local stores for fancier kits that can help you try making your own feta or camembert. Now that really is baller! Heads up: we expect you to share it with us when you’re done.
5 Cheesy Facts About Cheese
A cheese expert
An expert on cheese is called a cheesemonger.
Blue cheese is made in a cave
Blue cheeses are usually aged in a temperature-controlled environment such as a cave or a cellar.
Cheese for everyone
Lactose intolerant people can consume cheese due to the bacteria breaking down the lactose.
The most popular cheese
Cheddar is the most popular type of cheese
The most popular cheese dish
The most popular cheese recipe in the United States is macaroni and cheese.
Why We Love National Cheese Lover's Day
It's in the science
Did you know that some of the components of milk help calves stay both calm and healthy? Follow-up fact: Did you know that these components get super-concentrated in cheese? (We know you didn’t. You can thank us later.) That means that, when humans eat cheese, these same feel-good chemicals are let loose. They can create an almost euphoric feeling! That must explain why we feel so fantastic when we eat cheese. It’s not because we’re stuffing our face … not at all.
Everything tastes better with cheese
It’s not just hard, melty cheeses that do all the work. A fluffy ricotta can make broccoli brilliant and a crumbly-fresh feta can make almost any salad sing. There is a huge variety to cheese, across cultures—making it a perfect accompaniment to any dish! So, the next time you go to the store, make sure to expand beyond the simple mozzarellas and cheddars. If you like strong tastes, pick up a blue cheese or a brie. And if you like to stay mild, branch out with a fontina or a ricotta
Even dairy-avoiders can find something to love
As much as Americans love dairy-based cheese, more and more of us are avoiding dairy. Thanks to growing amounts of lactose intolerance, our brains might say yes, but our stomachs are are saying, “heck, no.” Thankfully, a growing industry in non-dairy, nut-based cheeses is helping to fill the gaps. You can even make your own, and all you need are cashews soaked in water, a blender, and nutritional yeast. When you puree them and combine them, you’ll get a gooey cheese that you won’t be able to distinguish from the real thing. We promise.
National Cheese Lover's Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | January 20 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | January 20 | Thursday |
| 2029 | January 20 | Saturday |
| 2030 | January 20 | Sunday |
| 2031 | January 20 | Monday |
Social Media Tips for National Cheese Lover's Day
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