Andy Montoya
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a topic of fascination for centuries, with references in medieval fables, 16th-century literature, and even modern pop culture. While it's commonly known that the moon does not consist of dairy products, the notion has sparked creative explorations, from children's programs like Tom and Jerry to the beloved characters Wallace and Gromit, who famously tasted the moon and likened it to no other cheese. This myth has also inspired contests and challenges, such as the Moon Cheese Challenge, inviting people to speculate on the type of cheese the moon might resemble. Despite the scientific community's dismissal of the claim, the moon-made-of-cheese theory continues to capture the imagination of people across generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of the myth | A medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf chasing a fox |
| Earliest record | 1546, in The Proverbs of John Heywood |
| Popular culture references | Tom and Jerry, Wallace and Gromit, and more |
| NASA's involvement | On April Fool's Day 2002, they claimed to have "proven" the moon was made of cheese |
| Cheeses the moon could be made from | Wensleydale, Reblochon, Leerdammer, Swiss Emmental, Gorgonzola Dolce, Selles Sur Cher |
| Seismic velocities of moon rocks | 1.2–1.9 km/s, similar to popular cheeses like Muenster, Cheddar, and Provolone |
| Theories about the moon's origin | Giant impact event, Earth rapidly spinning, Earth capturing a floating body, Moon and Earth forming from the solar nebula |
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What You'll Learn
- The Moon is not made of cheese, but what are some cheeses that resemble it
- The Moon is made of cheese according to a medieval Slavic fable
- The Moon is made of Wensleydale cheese, as seen in Wallace and Gromit
- The Moon is made of Reblochon cheese, a French cheese from the Haute-Savoie region
- The Moon is made of Swiss Emmental cheese, a semi-hard cheese with a savoury but mild flavour
The Moon is not made of cheese, but what are some cheeses that resemble it?
While the Moon is definitely not made of cheese, the idea that it is has been around for a long time. The earliest record of this notion comes from a medieval Slavic fable, in which a fox tricks a wolf into thinking that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese. The best-known early citation of this idea is from 1546, in The Proverbs of John Heywood, where he states "the moon is made of greene cheese" ("greene" referring to the food's age). Over time, this phrase came into common use, and even appeared in children's programs like Tom and Jerry and Wallace and Gromit.
On April Fool's Day in 2002, NASA played a prank by claiming to have "proven" that the moon was made of cheese, releasing a photoshopped image of the moon with an expiration date printed on one of its craters. This joke was likely inspired by the long-standing cultural reference, as well as the fact that moon rocks exhibit seismic velocities that fall within the range found in popular cheeses like muenster, cheddar, and provolone.
Now, let's explore some cheeses that resemble the Moon in terms of shape, texture, or colour:
Reblochon
This cheese from the Haute-Savoie region of France is shaped like a full moon and has marks that look like impact craters. It is often mixed with potatoes, onions, and bacon to create a dish called 'tartiflette', perfect for a meal after a mountain trek or a lunar spacewalk!
Flor de Valsequillo
This semi-cured goat cheese from Gran Canaria, one of Spain's Canary Islands, is shaped like a crescent moon. It is coated with a spicy paprika coating, adding a unique flavour and a moon-like appearance.
Wensleydale
The English cheese Wensleydale, made in the region of Yorkshire, bears a resemblance to the moon in terms of its texture and colour. It is a cheddar-like cheese, and its appearance is similar to how the moon is depicted in the Wallace and Gromit episode, where the characters travel to the moon in search of cheese.
Emmental
The semi-hard Swiss cheese Emmental, not to be confused with the broader category of "Swiss cheese", has a cratered surface that resembles the moon's texture. Its savoury but mild characteristics also match the demure, glowing appearance of the moon.
So, while the Moon is definitely not made of cheese, these cheeses certainly spark our imagination and keep the playful idea alive!
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The Moon is made of cheese according to a medieval Slavic fable
The Moon is widely known to be a celestial body of rock and dust, but some sources claim that it is made of cheese. This idea has persisted for centuries, with the earliest record of this notion stemming from a medieval Slavic fable. In this tale, a ravenous wolf chases a fox, intending to make a meal of him. The fox, however, is crafty and tricks the wolf by pointing out the moon's reflection on a pond, claiming it to be a block of cheese floating on the water's surface. The greedy wolf falls for the ruse and drinks all the water in an attempt to reach the "cheese", only to burst from over-drinking, allowing the fox to escape.
The notion of the Moon being made of cheese has since been referenced in various media, including the well-known characters Wallace and Gromit, who taste the Moon and conclude it has a unique flavour. This idea has also been perpetuated by NASA, who, on April Fool's Day in 2002, claimed to have proven that the Moon was made of cheese by releasing a photoshopped image of the Moon with an expiration date on one of its craters.
While the medieval Slavic fable is the earliest known record of the Moon-cheese connection, the best-known early citation dates back to 1546 and can be found in "The Proverbs of John Heywood." In this work, Heywood jokingly states, "the moon is made of greene cheese," referring to the age of the cheese rather than its colour. This phrase gained popularity over the following century and was even used by English natural philosopher John Wilkins in 1638 when speaking of human gullibility.
Despite the persistent association of the Moon with cheese, it is important to note that this idea is not taken seriously in academic or scientific circles. The seismic velocities of Moon rocks differ significantly from those of terrestrial rocks and minerals, providing evidence that contradicts the cheese-Moon theory. Nonetheless, the enduring fascination with the idea of a cheese-made Moon continues to capture the imagination of people of all ages, from children's programmes to adult humour.
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The Moon is made of Wensleydale cheese, as seen in Wallace and Gromit
The Moon is often rumoured to be made of cheese, a story that the inventor Wallace in the Wallace and Gromit series wholeheartedly believes. In the first adventure of the series, titled "A Grand Day Out", Wallace and his dog Gromit go to the Moon to eat cheese after discovering they have none in the house. They build a rocket in Wallace's basement and set off to the Moon. Upon arrival, Wallace tastes the surface of the Moon on crackers and is perplexed by the flavour, asking Gromit if it is Wensleydale or Stilton, to which Gromit replies that it tastes like no cheese he has ever tasted before.
Wallace and Gromit then explore the Moon, which has different areas of differing flavours of cheese. The first area has an unfamiliar flavour, neither Wensleydale nor Stilton, while the second area tastes like Camembert. It is never explicitly stated whether the Moon is actually made of cheese or simply an edible, cheese-like stone in "A Grand Day Out". However, a newspaper headline in Gromit's newspaper in "The Wrong Trousers" reads, "Moon cheese shares soar!", confirming that the Moon is indeed made of cheese in the Wallace & Gromit universe.
The idea that the Moon is made of cheese has been a popular notion for millennia, with the earliest record of this notion coming from a medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf chasing a fox. The fox tricks the wolf into thinking that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese, and the wolf drinks all the water in the pond to get to the "cheese", only to burst from drinking too much. The best-known early citation of the Moon being made of cheese dates to 1546 and can be found in "The Proverbs of John Heywood". Over the following century, the phrase "the moon is made of greene cheese" (with "greene" referring to the age of the cheese rather than its colour) came into common use.
The Moon's round shape and craterous appearance have likely contributed to the enduring popularity of the idea that it is made of cheese. While the scientific community has never supported the claim, it has been referenced in various children's programmes, such as Tom and Jerry, and even by NASA on April Fool's Day in 2002, when they claimed to have "proven" that the Moon was made of cheese by releasing a Photoshopped image with an expiration date printed on one of the Moon's craters.
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The Moon is made of Reblochon cheese, a French cheese from the Haute-Savoie region
The Moon has long been rumoured to be made of cheese. While this is not true, it is a fun notion that has persisted for centuries. The idea that the moon is made of cheese can be traced back to a medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf chasing a fox. The fox tricks the wolf, telling him that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese floating on the water. To get to the cheese, the wolf drinks the water until he bursts, leaving the fox alive.
The resemblance between Reblochon and the Moon is not just in their shape and markings. The cheese is known for its strong, musty flavour, which could be comparable to the Moon's rocky and dusty composition. While the Moon may not be literally made of cheese, the Reblochon variety offers a tasty way to imagine this fantastical scenario.
Other cheeses have also been suggested as contenders for the Moon's composition, including Wensleydale, as seen in the Wallace and Gromit episode "A Grand Day Out," and Swiss Emmental, known for its cratered surface and savoury but mild taste. While these cheeses may share some similarities with the Moon, Reblochon stands out for its distinct lunar-like appearance and flavour profile.
So, while the Moon is not actually made of cheese, the idea has captured the imagination of people for generations, and the Reblochon cheese from the Haute-Savoie region in France comes closest to this whimsical notion.
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The Moon is made of Swiss Emmental cheese, a semi-hard cheese with a savoury but mild flavour
The Moon's cheese-like qualities have been noted for centuries, with the earliest record of this notion stemming from a medieval Slavic fable. In this tale, a fox tricks a wolf by convincing him that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese. This story highlights the ancient association between the Moon and cheese, specifically Swiss Emmental cheese.
The idea that the Moon is made of cheese has persisted in popular culture, with references in children's programmes like Tom and Jerry, and Wallace and Gromit, who even taste the Moon in one episode. The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" became common in the 16th and 17th centuries, with English natural philosopher John Wilkins jokingly using it to illustrate human gullibility.
Even NASA has joined in on the joke, claiming on April Fool's Day in 2002 that they had "proven" the Moon was made of cheese by releasing a photoshopped image with an expiration date on one of the craters. While it is clear that the Moon is not actually made of cheese, the persistence of this idea in folklore, literature, and popular culture showcases its enduring appeal.
The Moon's mysterious nature has sparked countless theories and legends, and the cheese theory remains one of the most whimsical and imaginative explanations for its existence. Swiss Emmental cheese, with its unique characteristics, has provided a delightful and savoury twist to the Moon's story, captivating imaginations for centuries.
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Frequently asked questions
While the moon is not actually made of cheese, there are several cheeses that bear a resemblance to it. Some people think that the moon is made of Wensleydale cheese, as depicted in the Wallace and Gromit episode in which the duo travels to the moon in search of cheese. Others think it resembles Swiss Emmental cheese due to its cratered surface and savoury but mild characteristics. There is also a French cheese called Reblochon that is shaped like a full moon and has impact crater-like marks.
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been around for a long time, but it is doubtful that anyone ever truly believed it. The earliest record of this notion comes from a medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf chasing a fox. The fox tricks the wolf into thinking that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese and that he must drink all the water to get it, causing the wolf to drink too much and burst. The best-known early citation is from 1546 and can be found in The Proverbs of John Heywood.
No, there is no scientific evidence that the moon is made of cheese. Moon rocks have different seismic velocities (how fast vibrations travel through them) than any kind of rock known on Earth, but this can be explained by the extensive history of impacts on the lunar surface.
