Randy Chandler
Swiss cheese is a common sight in cartoons, often characterised by its yellow or orange colour and its holes. The colour comes from annatto, a natural dye, while the holes are caused by microscopic bits of hay dust in the milk and carbon dioxide gas produced by bacteria during the thickening process. Swiss cheese is a popular choice for cartoons as the holes make it easily recognisable as cheese, and it often comes in a wedge shape, as if cut from a cheese wheel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color | Orange or yellow |
| Shape | Wedge, wheel, or triangle |
| Texture | Full of holes |
| Smell | Occasionally bad |
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What You'll Learn
Swiss cheese in cartoons is often yellow or orange
Swiss cheese in cartoons is often depicted as yellow or orange, with holes, and in a wedge shape. This is true across a range of cartoons and games, from Tom and Jerry to RuneScape. In "Short Order Crooks", the cheese of choice is cheddar, so the colour is right, given the annatto, but the cartoon cheese has holes, like Swiss cheese. In "Mind Your Cheese And Qs", all the cheese is yellowed Swiss, and in the NES game The Addams Family, it's a health bonus.
Swiss cheese is a popular choice for cartoons as the holes make it more recognisable as cheese, and it stands out against the background. The colour of cartoon cheese is often a vibrant orange-yellow shade, like Wisconsin Cheddar or Colby, which have this colour due to the use of the natural dye annatto. Cartoon cheese is almost always an amalgam of different types of cheese, with the most common traits being that it is orange or yellow, full of holes, in wedge form, and sometimes smelling bad.
The colour yellow is associated with cheese due to annatto, a natural dye used in some varieties of cheese, such as traditional English Cheddar, which has a light yellow colour due to annatto. Red Leicester, a similar variety to Cheddar, ranges from orange to orange-red because of annatto. Cartoon cheese often combines the distinctive yellow or orange colour of some cheeses with the holes of Swiss cheese, creating a recognisable symbol of cheese that is not accurate to any one specific variety of cheese.
While Swiss cheese is often depicted as yellow or orange in cartoons, it is not the only colour used. In some cartoons, Swiss cheese is shown as white or creamy, which is more accurate to the colour of real Swiss cheese. In the cartoon "Simple Samosa", for example, the cheese is depicted as orange or yellow wedges, cubes, or circles, with or without holes. In "The Muppet Show", Gonzo auditions with a dancing cheese that is yellow in colour. In "Family Matters", Urkel creates a video game with a character based on himself, who throws yellow, holey cheese at his opponents.
The depiction of Swiss cheese in cartoons as yellow or orange is thus a combination of the distinctive colour of some cheeses, the holes of Swiss cheese, and artistic licence. The yellow or orange colour makes the cheese stand out and be more recognisable as cheese, especially when combined with the holes that are characteristic of Swiss cheese. While this combination is not accurate to the colour of real Swiss cheese, it has become a trope in cartoons and games, contributing to the light-hearted and imaginative nature of animation.
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Cartoonists may choose Swiss cheese because the holes are recognisable
Swiss cheese is a common sight in cartoons, and its distinctive holes are a key reason why cartoonists choose to use it. The holes make the cheese instantly recognisable as, without them, it would just be a yellow or orange blob. This is important because cheese is often used as a plot device in cartoons, such as in the IBM game Alley Cat, where a cat tries to catch mice peeking out of the holes of a giant wedge of Swiss cheese. In the Gene Deitch cartoon set in the Wild West, a wheel of cheese in a store window is switched from "Cheddar" to "Swiss" after it is shot full of holes.
Swiss cheese is also used in cartoons because of its bright, vibrant orange-yellow colour, which is similar to Wisconsin Cheddar or Colby. This shade is created using annatto, a natural dye. However, the distinctive holes are what set Swiss cheese apart from other varieties, and they are caused by microscopic bits of hay dust in the milk and bacteria in the cultures producing bubbles of carbon dioxide gas during production.
The holes in Swiss cheese make it stand out from other types of cheese in cartoons, and its recognisable shape and colour make it a popular choice for animators. In the video game Rat Race, for example, most of the cheese is uniquely shaped and coloured, but there are still some suspiciously yellow, holey-looking pieces. Swiss cheese is also a popular choice for comedic effect, as in the cartoon Asterix in Switzerland, where it features frequently for obvious reasons.
Swiss cheese's holes also make it a practical choice for cartoons as it can be easily drawn with a few simple lines and shapes. A wedge of Swiss cheese can be drawn as a triangle or circle with holes, and its bright yellow colour is easy to reproduce. This simplicity is important for animators working with limited time and resources, and it ensures that Swiss cheese remains a staple of cartoon food items.
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Swiss cheese features in video games, like RuneScape and The Pixeljam
Swiss cheese is a well-known variety of cheese that is often depicted in cartoons and video games. It is characterised by its orange or yellow colour and the presence of holes. The holes in Swiss cheese are caused by microscopic bits of hay dust in the milk and bacteria in the cultures that produce bubbles of carbon dioxide gas during the cheese-making process. This variety of cheese is a popular trope in cartoons and video games, often used to add a touch of humour or whimsy to the content.
Video games such as RuneScape and The Pixeljam have featured Swiss cheese as an edible item or as a prop. In RuneScape, the cheese is depicted as a yellow wedge with holes, similar to the traditional shape of Swiss cheese. The Pixeljam, on the other hand, features uniquely shaped and coloured cheese, with some being suspiciously yellow and holey.
The use of Swiss cheese in video games can add a level of familiarity and humour to the gameplay experience. It can also be used as a reference to classic cartoons or as a way to incorporate food-related challenges or puzzles. In some cases, Swiss cheese may even be used as a weapon or a tool to lure characters, adding a creative twist to the gameplay.
While Swiss cheese is a common trope in video games, it is important to note that not all games depict cheese in the same way. Some games may feature more accurate representations of cheese varieties, while others may opt for a more stylised or exaggerated approach. Additionally, the context and purpose of the cheese within the game can vary, influencing how it is presented to the player.
Overall, the inclusion of Swiss cheese features in video games like RuneScape and The Pixeljam adds a layer of interest and engagement for players. It draws on familiar tropes while also allowing for creative interpretations and implementations within the virtual world. Whether used as a food item, a prop, or a playful reference, Swiss cheese continues to be a recognisable and versatile element in video game design.
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Swiss cheese is sometimes used as a weapon in cartoons
Swiss cheese is a common sight in cartoons, often featuring as a food or a prop. However, there are a few instances where Swiss cheese takes on a more creative role, being used as a weapon or tool by characters.
In the Gene Deitch cartoon set in the Wild West, Swiss cheese is indeed used as a weapon of sorts. In this cartoon, a wheel of cheese in a store window is labelled as "Cheddar" but is then shot full of holes, resulting in it more closely resembling Swiss cheese. This is an example of Swiss cheese being directly involved in the action, with the holes being a defining characteristic.
Swiss cheese also makes an appearance in the Super-Mouse comics, where the character is seen juggling with a wedge of Swiss cheese. While not explicitly a weapon, this does showcase Swiss cheese being used as a tool in a dynamic way.
In the context of video games, Swiss cheese has been featured as a weapon or tool in various titles. In the online game Rat Race, for example, players can use Swiss cheese to lure and catch mice, employing it as a strategic item. Similarly, in the IBM game Alley Cat, the player controls a cat trying to catch mice peeking out of the holes of a giant wedge of Swiss cheese, once again demonstrating the recognition factor of Swiss cheese's distinctive holes.
Swiss cheese has also been referenced in animated GIFs, such as one featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Peg Leg Pete in a cheese factory. In this GIF, Mickey Mouse is shown using an unconventional method to poke holes in a block of Swiss cheese, further emphasising the cultural association between Swiss cheese and its characteristic holes.
While not always depicted as a weapon, Swiss cheese undoubtedly plays a versatile role in cartoons and popular culture, often serving as a comedic element, a plot device, or a recognisable symbol of cheese in general.
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Swiss cheese is usually in wedge form, like Gouda
Swiss cheese is often depicted in cartoons and video games as a vibrant orange-yellow shade, full of holes, and in a wedge form, like Gouda. This iconic cartoon cheese is a far cry from the actual colour of Swiss cheese, which is creamy and whitish-yellow, like Camembert.
The orange-yellow colour of cartoon Swiss cheese is likely due to the use of annatto, a natural dye derived from the achiote tree. Annatto is commonly used in cheeses such as Wisconsin Cheddar and Colby to give them their distinctive hue. While traditional English Cheddar is also yellow, it is a much lighter shade.
The holes in Swiss cheese, caused by microscopic bits of hay dust in the milk and bacteria producing carbon dioxide bubbles during production, have become synonymous with the variety. In cartoons, the holes are often exaggerated, with large, perfectly circular openings that are easily recognisable.
The wedge shape of the cheese in cartoons and video games is meant to evoke the image of a slice from a larger wheel of cheese, similar to how Gouda is often presented. This form adds to the overall iconic look of cartoon Swiss cheese, with its bright colour and holes.
Swiss cheese is a popular choice for cartoons and video games due to its distinctive appearance. Its holes and vibrant colour make it easily identifiable, even when drawn in a simplistic style. The cheese is often used as a comedic prop, with its holes serving as a source of humour or as a means to differentiate it from other cheeses in the same work.
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Frequently asked questions
Cartoon Swiss cheese is typically depicted as a vibrant orange-yellow shade.
Swiss cheese in cartoons is coloured yellow or orange because these colours make the cheese more recognisable in animation.
Yes, in the Gene Deitch cartoon set in the Wild West, a wheel of cheese labelled "Cheddar" is switched with "Swiss" after it gets shot full of holes. In this instance, the Swiss cheese is not yellow or orange.
Yes, in real life, Camembert cheese is a type of cheese that is creamy and whitish-yellow.
