Andy Montoya
Cheese is a beloved food around the world, and it has been around for thousands of years. The shape of cheese has evolved over time, from ancient cheese wheels to modern-day blocks, cylinders, and even pyramids. The production and consumption of cheese have a rich history, and the wheel shape played a significant role in its popularity. In this topic, we will delve into the reasons why cheese is often made and sold in wheel shapes and how it has influenced the cheese-making industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | Round wheels are easy to work with, turn and brush |
| Transport | Wheels are easier to transport as they can be rolled |
| Protection | The hard rind around the outside of the wheel protects the cheese from insects and bacteria |
| Aging | The wheel shape is beneficial for aging cheese as it reduces the surface area and the amount of moisture lost |
| Stacking | Blocks are more efficient for stacking but natural rind cheeses will go mouldy or grow together |
| Tradition | The wheel shape is traditional and some cheeses will always be round |
| Taste | The wheel shape encourages equal absorption and discourages mould from focusing on one area |
| Pressure | Round moulds provide extra strength in pressing |
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What You'll Learn
Wheels of cheese are easy to work with
The wheel shape is also beneficial when it comes to aging cheese. The consistent thickness of a wheel means that the surface flora can spread evenly, preventing mold from focusing on one area. This is not the case with blocks of cheese, which are more susceptible to mold when stacked.
Historically, the wheel shape was also useful for transportation, as large wheels could be rolled, and then cut into chunks at their destination. This made them valuable for trade and they were even used as currency in Medieval times.
Finally, the wheel shape is also advantageous for the formation of the hard rind that protects the cheese from external factors like insects and bacteria.
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They were easier to transport
The wheel shape of cheese has been around since ancient times. According to historians, cheese was first made some 8,000 years ago by nomadic tribes in the Middle East. They found that cheese was a convenient way to store milk for long distances. The cheese was usually made in large round shapes before being cut into chunks or slices for easier transportation, storage, and consumption. The wheel shape also made cheese an ideal form of payment for trades and transactions between towns. As trade routes expanded across Europe, so did the popularity of cheese wheels. Within a few centuries, they had become a staple in most households throughout Europe.
The wheel shape also has some production advantages. When aging cheeses, reducing surface-area-to-volume is beneficial as there is less area to lose moisture over the aging process. The consistent thickness of the wheel shape encourages equal absorption as the surface flora spread, and the round molds provide extra strength in pressing. This is particularly important for traditional rind-covered cheddars, which need a lot of pressure to hold the curd together.
Cheese wheels are also easier to work with when they are being handled. They can be easily turned and brushed at the same time, which is not the case with cube/blocks, which are more awkward.
Today, cheese wheels are still popular, but their appearance has changed. They are commonly wedged into smaller sections, making them perfect for sharing with friends or using as toppings. However, large wheels are tricky for the average person to consume, and it is much more common now for cheese to be bought pre-packaged from the supermarket in blocks.
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Wheels are better for the hard rind to form
The wheel shape of cheese is not just a coincidence or for aesthetic purposes. The wheel shape of cheese is beneficial for several reasons, one of which is the formation of a hard rind. The wheel shape facilitates the formation of a hard rind around the outside of the cheese, protecting it from external factors such as insects and bacteria. The consistent thickness of the wheel shape encourages equal absorption as the surface flora spread, preventing mould from focusing too much on one area.
The wheel shape of cheese has been around since ancient times, with historians tracing its origins to nomadic tribes in the Middle East. These tribes found that making cheese in large round shapes was convenient for storing and transporting milk over long distances. The cheese was then cut into chunks or slices for easier consumption. Similarly, in medieval times, cheese wheels served as a valuable form of currency due to their portability and weight, which made them ideal for trade and transactions between towns.
The wheel shape of cheese also has practical advantages during the cheesemaking process. When working with cheese wheels, they are easier to handle and manipulate, especially when brushing the rinds. The round shape allows for easy rotation and brushing simultaneously. Additionally, the wheel shape provides extra strength during the pressing stage of cheesemaking, where the dry salting method requires significant pressure to hold the curd together. Rectangular moulds of the same thickness tend to lose their shape or split at the seams over time.
While the wheel shape offers these benefits, it is important to note that cheese can also be found in various other shapes, including blocks, cylinders, and pyramids. These shapes have gained popularity due to their efficiency in storage and packaging, making them more accessible and convenient for modern consumers.
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They are good for ageing cheese
The wheel shape of cheese is beneficial for ageing cheese for several reasons. Firstly, the wheel shape reduces the surface area of the cheese exposed, thereby reducing moisture loss during the ageing process. The wheel shape also facilitates equal absorption as the surface flora spread, preventing mould from focusing on one area.
Furthermore, the round shape of the wheel provides extra strength when pressing the cheese, which is particularly important for traditional rind-covered cheddars that require significant pressure to hold the curd together. Rectangular moulds of the same thickness, even those made of stainless steel, tend to lose their shape and may split at the seams over time.
The wheel shape also makes it easier to handle the cheese during the ageing process, as they can be easily turned and brushed without the cheese breaking apart. The dense and compact nature of the wheel shape also makes it easier to store and transport, which has been important throughout history, especially for nomadic tribes and travellers.
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They were used as currency
Cheese wheels have been around since ancient times, and their history is as diverse as the varieties of cheese that exist today. According to historians, cheese was first made some 8,000 years ago by nomadic tribes in the Middle East, who found that cheese was a convenient way to store milk for long distances. In ancient times, cheese was usually made in large round shapes and then cut into slices for easier transportation, storage, and consumption.
In medieval times, cheese wheels were used as currency due to their value and portability. For example, travelers could take advantage of the weight and size of cheese wheels, rolling them from town to town. As trade routes expanded across Europe, so did the popularity of cheese wheels. Within a few centuries, they had become a staple in most households throughout Europe. The wheel shape also made an ideal form of payment for trades and transactions between towns.
The consistent thickness of the wheel shape encourages equal absorption as the surface flora spread, preventing mold from focusing too much on one area. This shape also provides extra strength in pressing, as rectangular molds of the same thickness tend to lose their shape and split at the seams over time.
Cheese wheels are also easier to work with when they need to be picked up and brushed. They can be easily and quickly turned and brushed at the same time, which is more difficult with cube/blocks.
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Frequently asked questions
A cheese wheel is a rounded block of cured cheese typically covered by a protective rind.
Cheese wheels are wrapped in kraft paper, cheesecloth, or wax paper. Some are banded with thin strips of wood.
Wrapping cheese carefully helps preserve the cheese and keep it in the best condition. It also makes it look more appealing.
The wheel shape made it easier to transport the cheese as they could be rolled around.
A hollowed-out cheese wheel can be used as a bowl to make pasta alla ruota, where hot pasta is placed inside and coated in fresh cheese.
