National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day

National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day is perhaps one of the strangest holidays on the calendar. It is celebrated on July 29, and its essence is as follows – buy some cheese, cut off a small piece and put it in a mousetrap. They wanted to fight mice in this way, but today many people call this method obsolete, because there are more effective ways. What is more, studies have proven that mice don’t like cheese. But the holiday remains popular.

The History

Cheese is one of the oldest food items and has existed for several millennia. It appeared long before writing. Archaeologists have discovered the oldest evidence of cheese production to date, which are 7 thousand years old ceramic dishes. There is also documentary evidence that the Sumerians produced cheese in the second millennium BC. The elite in ancient Rome loved to eat cheese; all known imported varieties were brought here. In America, cheese was prepared by the Incas and other peoples living in the Andes.

Interesting Facts

• The first cheeses were more like modern feta, with a sour-salty taste.
• Columella’s work De Re Rustica describes in detail the step-by-step technology for making cheese.
• Most cheeses are registered in the late medieval period. For example, cheddar in 1100, gouda in 1697, and camembert in 1791.
• Switzerland is considered the leader in cheese, but the first factory was only registered in 1815.
• Some varieties of cheese are banned in America.

How to take part

Make your personal cheese plate and enjoy your favorite cheese. Get acquainted with new varieties. Be sure to buy an expensive cheese and try it.

When is National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day celebrated in 2024?

National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day is observed on July 29 each year.

Observations