19 Yummy-Licious Swiss Cheese Facts You Should Know Right Now!
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Swiss cheese is generally made with milk that is fresh; however, it can at times be made of pasteurized milk like in the making of soft cheese.
This cheese has a mild flavor. The enzymes and bacteria in this cheese give it this taste.
Italy accounts for a large portion of all exports of Swiss cheese. The French exports of this cheese account for 7% of the export. People all over the world consume it in various forms like sliced, cubed, or cheese spread.
For those who are lactose intolerant, the Raclette du Valais variant of this cheese can be a good option. It is a viable option since the Raclette du Valais contains a minimum amount of lactose. Keep reading to know more about this cheese!
History And Origin Of Swiss Cheese
The most unique thing about Swiss cheese is that it has holes in it. The holes are not natural, but they are made by mixing the starter culture with gram-positive bacteria. This bacteria also provides a nutty and sweet taste to this soft cheese. Let's see how Swiss cheese originated.
Swiss cheese originated in Switzerland, in its west-central region.
The west-central region of Switzerland is known as Emmental, thus giving the name Emmental cheese to Swiss cheese.
Emmental began cheese making in 1300.
About five centuries later, in 1800, the place began to open cheese dairies. With this, started the popularization of this cheese.
Gradually, the cheese, which was a dairy product of Emmental, began to be distributed to the entire world. Now it is more renowned in France. The French popularized this cheese more than the people of Switzerland.
Nutritional Facts About Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese has many nutritional benefits. It contains a variety of minerals and other nutrients. Here is a list of the composition of Swiss cheese. These amounts are the totals seen in 3.5 oz (100 g) of this cheese.
Calcium, fat, and protein are all found in abundance in Swiss cheese. It's also high in vitamins A and B-12.
The total fat is 0.06 oz (27.8 g). Within this saturated fat is 0.04 oz (17.8 g). There is no trans fat.
Cholesterol makes up for 31% of this cheese.
While sodium makes up for 8% of this cheese from Switzerland, potassium within it is only 2%.
More than half (53%) of these cheeses are made up of protein.
The total amount of carbohydrates stands at 0.01 oz (5.4 g). There are no dietary carbohydrates in Swiss cheese.
Difference Between Swiss Cheese And Other Types Of Cheese
Some other cheeses that are famous other than the cheese from Switzerland are American cheese and cheddar cheese. Here is a comparison of the three of them based on different parameters.
Swiss cheese originated in Switzerland, while American cheese, as the name suggests, originated in America. Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, is originally from a place called Cheddar, in the United Kingdom.
Both Swiss and American cheese can be made at home with ease. However, the processing of cheddar cheese is a complicated method.
Swiss cheese is made by using yogurt and fresh milk. American cheese contains milk, milk fat, whey, and milk fat protein. Cheddar cheese includes processes like heating curd, draining of the whey, stacking, and cutting into small cubes.
Swiss and American cheeses are off-white, light yellow, or ivory colored. Cheddar cheese is usually yellow or orange.
Cheddar cheese is a hard cheese, American cheese is a soft one, while Swiss cheese is a semi-hard or hard one.
Health Benefits Of Swiss Cheese
Even though cheeses contain a lot of fat and calories, they also have various nutritional benefits. This cheese from Switzerland is no exception to such benefits when it comes to improving your health. Here is why you should eat Swiss cheese.
These foods contain quite a lot of protein, which is higher than the protein content of other cheeses.
Being made of milk, it is rich in calcium. This cheese contains 22% of your daily amount of calcium. Hence, it is good for your bones.
It also has less sodium than other types of cheeses.
Along with calcium, phosphorus also helps in building bone density and in bone formation. Swiss cheeses have the highest amount of phosphorus among all cheeses.
It also has the highest quantity of vitamin B-12 amongst various cheeses. This vitamin is crucial for your nervous system.
FAQs
What is unique about Swiss cheese?
The unique factor is that this cheese has holes in it, which are made by gram-positive bacteria.
How many Swiss cheeses are there?
More than 475 types of cheeses originated in Switzerland. However, all of them are not Emmental cheeses.
Is Swiss cheese considered a hard cheese?
Yes, it is one of the hard cheeses. It can also be considered semi-hard, which is a little harder than soft cheese.
What is the best Swiss cheese?
The most popular and recommended one is Emmental cheese. Other delicious ones include Tête de Moine, SBRINZ, and Gruyere.
What is American Swiss cheese?
Swiss and American cheese are different. They differ in their origin countries, texture, and flavor.
What goes well with Swiss cheese?
Any food that has a mildly salty flavor goes well with it. Cured meats are a great combination with it. The flavors of sesame sticks and pretzels also complement this cheese.
What kind of cheese is similar to Swiss?
Cheddar cheese, although not similar to Swiss cheese, has a texture that is similar. Hence, it can be actively used as a substitute for the Swiss one.
Why is it called Swiss cheese?
It is named so because it originated in Switzerland.
Is Swiss the healthiest cheese?
No, it is not the healthiest cheese. On the contrary, Mozzarella may be considered to be the healthiest one.
Did the Swiss invent cheese?
The country that cheese first originated from is not known. It is only known that this food was invented after the domestication of the sheep.
What kind of milk is Swiss cheese made from?
It is made with cow's milk.
What state produces the most Swiss cheese?
Ohio in the USA tops the charts in the production of Swiss cheese.
Can dogs eat Swiss cheese?
Dogs can eat it without any risk only if it is fed in moderation.
What is the flavor of Swiss cheese?
The flavor of this cheese is usually mildly sweet.
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Bachelor of Science specializing in Computer Science
Christian MbaBachelor of Science specializing in Computer Science
Christian Mba is an experienced blogger and content writer with over a decade of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Nigeria and has a keen interest in Python programming. Along with his writing and blogging expertise, he is also an SEO specialist with more than six years of experience. Chris, as he is commonly known, has a passion for music and enjoys playing the piano.
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