Bushra Griffith
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been around for a long time, with the English philosopher John Wilkins writing in 1638 that anyone who believed the moon was made of 'green cheese' was a 'country peasant' – in other words, gullible and ignorant. Despite the scientific community never supporting the claim, references to the moon being made of cheese have appeared in children's programmes from Tom and Jerry to Wallace and Gromit. So, what kind of cheese is the moon made of?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Swiss Emmental, Wensleydale, Leerdammer, Serra da Estrela, Cheddar, Roblochon, Comte, Gouda |
| Colour | Greyish, blue |
| Texture | Semi-hard, mild, savoury, buttery, gooey, musty, strong, mild blue mould |
| Flavour | Savoury, mild, blue |
| Region | Piedmont and Lombardy regions of Italy, Portugal, England, Switzerland |
| Milk | Cow's milk, goat's milk |
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What You'll Learn
The moon is made of green cheese
The moon's cratered surface and mild flavour profile have led some to compare it to semi-hard Swiss Emmental cheese. Others have suggested that the moon is made of Wensleydale, as seen in the Wallace and Gromit episode where the duo travels to the moon in search of cheese.
Some have even proposed that the moon is made of a mix of cheeses, including Gouda, Cheddar, Roblochon, Comte, and Leerdammer. Serra da Estrela cheese, made in the mountainous region of the same name in Portugal, is also a contender due to its high altitude.
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The moon is made of Wensleydale cheese
The idea that the moon is made of cheese comes from the Wallace and Gromit episode in which the duo runs out of cheese and travels to the moon. The phrase 'the moon is made of cheese' was first used by John Wilkins in 1638, who wrote, 'you may... soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese'. The phrase 'greene cheese' refers to the food's age, rather than its colour.
While Wensleydale is the most likely candidate for the moon's composition, other cheeses have been suggested, including Swiss Emmental, Serra da Estrela, Leerdammer, and a mix of Gouda, Cheddar, Roblochon and Comte.
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The moon is made of Swiss Emmental cheese
The moon's cheese-like appearance has been a topic of discussion for centuries. The English philosopher John Wilkins wrote in 1638 that "you may... soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese". The term 'greene' here refers to the food's age, not its colour.
Despite the scientific community never supporting the claim, references to the moon being made of cheese have appeared in popular culture, from children's programmes like Tom and Jerry to the Wallace and Gromit episode where the duo runs out of cheese and travels to the moon.
While some may argue that the moon is made of other types of cheese like Leerdammer, Wensleydale, or a mix of cheeses, the visual and flavour profile of Swiss Emmental cheese remains the most convincing argument for the moon's cheesy composition.
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The moon is made of Serra da Estrela cheese
The moon's cratered surface and savoury but mild characteristics match well with the demure, glowing moon. Its semi-hard texture and greyish colour are similar to that of Swiss Emmental cheese, which is often confused with 'Swiss cheese', a blanket term given by American manufacturers for cheeses mimicking the Emmental style.
The moon's surface could also be compared to Gorgonzola dolce, a mild white cheese with spots of savoury blue mould just below its surface, creating cratered, greyish patches.
Finally, the moon's appearance could be likened to a cheese coated in charcoal, which helps a natural grey-blue mould form, giving the cheese a musty, strong flavour. This type of cheese is similar to Wensleydale, an English cheddar-like cheese made in the region of Yorkshire.
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The moon is made of Leerdammer cheese
Leerdammer is a semi-hard cheese with a savoury but mild flavour. Its cratered surface and glowing appearance match the moon's surface. The cheese is made using goat's milk and is coated in charcoal, which helps to create a natural grey-blue mould and gives the cheese a musty, strong flavour.
The moon's cheese-like appearance has been a topic of discussion for centuries. The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" (referring to the cheese's age, not its colour) was first used in the 17th century by English natural philosopher John Wilkins. Wilkins used the phrase to speak of human gullibility, suggesting that only country peasants would believe such a claim.
Despite the scientific community's dismissal of the idea, popular culture has embraced the concept of a moon made of cheese. From Wallace and Gromit to Tom and Jerry, moon-cheese references have become a staple of children's entertainment.
So, while the moon may not actually be made of Leerdammer cheese, it's clear that the idea of a celestial cheese platter has captured the imagination of many.
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Frequently asked questions
The moon is made of Wensleydale cheese, as seen in the Wallace and Gromit episode where the duo travel to the moon.
The moon has a musty, strong flavour.
The moon is a natural grey-blue colour.
