Question 1

What is cheese made from?

Accepted Answer

Cheese is made from milk. It can come from cows, goats, sheep, or other animals.

Question 2

How long have people been making cheese?

Accepted Answer

People have been making cheese for thousands of years. It’s believed cheese making started over 4,000 years ago.

Question 3

Why does milk turn into cheese?

Accepted Answer

Milk turns into cheese because of special bacteria and a substance called rennet. These help solidify the milk into curds, which can then be made into cheese.

Question 4

What are curds?

Accepted Answer

Curds are the solid parts of milk that form during cheese making. They are separated from the liquid part, called whey.

Question 5

What is whey?

Accepted Answer

Whey is the liquid that is left after the milk curdles. It’s separated out when making cheese.

Question 6

Why are there so many different kinds of cheese?

Accepted Answer

Different cheeses are made by using different types of milk, bacteria, and aging processes. This can change the taste and texture of the cheese.

Question 7

What does aging cheese mean?

Accepted Answer

Aging is letting the cheese rest for a while under specific conditions. It helps develop the flavor and texture of the cheese.

Question 8

What makes cheese taste different?

Accepted Answer

Cheese can taste different because of the type of milk used, how long it ages, and what bacteria are added. Some cheeses also have extra ingredients like herbs or spices.

Question 9

Why is some cheese smelly?

Accepted Answer

Some cheese is smelly because of the bacteria used in making it. The bacteria create strong smells as the cheese ages.

Question 10

How do you make cheese at home?

Accepted Answer

To make cheese at home, you need milk, rennet, and sometimes a little vinegar or lemon juice. You heat the milk, add these ingredients, and then let it curdle to form cheese.

Question 11

What is rennet?

Accepted Answer

Rennet is a natural substance that helps milk curdle. It comes from the stomach of animals like cows or can also be made from plants or microbes.

Question 12

Can you make cheese from nuts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make cheese-like products from nuts, like cashews or almonds. These are often used for people who don’t eat dairy.

Question 13

Why is cheddar cheese orange?

Accepted Answer

Cheddar cheese is often orange because of a natural coloring called annatto. It doesn’t change the taste but gives it a bright color.

Question 14

What is the oldest type of cheese?

Accepted Answer

One of the oldest known cheeses is aged cheese from Egypt, which dates back more than 3,000 years. Cheddar and Gouda are also very old types.

Question 15

How did cheese making start?

Accepted Answer

Cheese making likely started when people stored milk in containers made from animal stomachs. The rennet in the stomachs made the milk turn into cheese.

Question 16

Why do people love cheese so much?

Accepted Answer

People love cheese because it tastes good and is creamy and flavorful. It's also very versatile and can be used in many dishes.

Question 17

Is cheese healthy?

Accepted Answer

Cheese has nutrients like calcium and protein, which are good for our bodies. But eating too much cheese isn’t good because it can be high in fat and salt.

Question 18

What is blue cheese?

Accepted Answer

Blue cheese is a type of cheese that has special mold added to it. This mold creates blue or green spots and gives the cheese a strong flavor.

Question 19

What does mozzarella cheese go well with?

Accepted Answer

Mozzarella cheese is great on pizzas because it melts well. It’s also delicious in salads and sandwiches.

Question 20

Why do some cheeses have holes?

Accepted Answer

Some cheeses, like Swiss, have holes because of gases released by bacteria during aging. The gases create bubbles, which turn into holes as the cheese firms up.

The History and Science of Cheese Making - 20 FAQs Explained Simply