Kamil Perry
The origins of cheese-making are shrouded in mystery, with no conclusive evidence of where it began. However, it is believed to predate recorded history, with the earliest direct evidence of cheesemaking found in excavated clay sieves (holed pottery) over seven thousand years old in Poland and Croatia. Cheese was also found in the travelling bag of Otzi the ice man, who lived 5,000 years ago. There is a legend about an Arab trader who discovered cheese by storing milk in a container made from an animal's stomach, resulting in the milk turning to curd and whey. Cheese was made in many parts of the Roman Empire, and the Romans introduced cheesemaking to England.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest evidence of cheese-making | Remains identified as cheese found in an Egyptian tomb dating to around 2900 BCE |
| Visual evidence of cheese-making | Egyptian tomb murals made in approximately 2000 BCE |
| Earliest direct evidence of cheesemaking | Excavated clay sieves (holed pottery) over 7,000 years old found in Kujawy, Poland, and the Dalmatian coast in Croatia |
| Earliest proposed dates for the origin of cheesemaking | Around 8000 BCE, when sheep were first domesticated |
| How cheese was likely discovered | Accidentally, by storing milk in a container made from the stomach of an animal |
| Who is credited with the discovery of cheese | Ancient Greek mythology credits Aristaeus; there is also a legend about an Arab trader who used this method of storing milk |
| Who introduced cheesemaking to England | The Romans |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Cheese was made in many parts of the Roman Empire
- The Romans introduced cheesemaking to England
- Monks in monasteries made and improved cheese during the Middle Ages
- The production of cheese predates recorded history, beginning over 7,000 years ago
- Remains identified as cheese were found in an Egyptian tomb dating to around 2900 BC
Cheese was made in many parts of the Roman Empire
Cheese-making was known in Europe at the earliest level of Hellenic myth. According to Pliny the Elder, cheese became a sophisticated enterprise at the start of the ancient Rome era. During the Middle Ages, from the decline of the Roman Empire until the discovery of America, cheese was made and improved by monks in monasteries.
The production of cheese predates recorded history, beginning well over 7,000 years ago. Humans likely developed cheese and other dairy foods by accident, as a result of storing and transporting milk in bladders made of ruminants' stomachs, as their inherent supply of rennet would encourage curdling. There is no conclusive evidence indicating where cheese-making originated, possibly Europe, or Central Asia, the Middle East, or the Sahara. The earliest direct evidence for cheesemaking is now being found in excavated clay sieves (holed pottery) over seven thousand years old, for example in Kujawy, Poland, and the Dalmatian coast in Croatia, the latter with dried remains which chemical analysis suggests was cheese.
Earlier, remains identified as cheese were found in the funeral meal in an Egyptian tomb dating around 2900 BC. Visual evidence of Egyptian cheesemaking was found in Egyptian tomb murals made in approximately 2000 BC. Cheese was also found in the travelling bag of Otzi the ice man, who lived 5,000 years ago.
Vegan Parmesan Cheese: What's in This Dairy-Free Delicacy?
You may want to see also
The Romans introduced cheesemaking to England
There is no conclusive evidence indicating where cheesemaking originated, with some sources suggesting Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East or the Sahara. However, it is believed that travellers from Asia brought cheesemaking to Europe, and it was made in many parts of the Roman Empire. The Romans, in turn, introduced cheesemaking to England.
Cheese was made in ancient Egypt, with remains identified as cheese found in an Egyptian tomb dating to around 2900 BCE. Visual evidence of Egyptian cheesemaking was found in Egyptian tomb murals made in approximately 2000 BCE.
Cheese-making was also known in Europe at the earliest level of Hellenic myth. According to Pliny the Elder, cheese became a sophisticated enterprise at the start of the ancient Rome era. During this time, valued foreign cheeses were transported to Rome to satisfy the tastes of the social elite.
Cheese was likely discovered accidentally by storing milk in a container made from the stomach of an animal, resulting in the milk being turned to curd and whey by the rennet from the stomach.
Keto Pizza Dough Without Cheese: Frozen Options
You may want to see also
Monks in monasteries made and improved cheese during the Middle Ages
It is believed that cheese was first made over 7,000 years ago, although there is no conclusive evidence of where it originated. The earliest proposed dates for the origin of cheesemaking range from around 8000 BCE, when sheep were first domesticated. According to Pliny the Elder, cheese became a sophisticated enterprise at the start of the ancient Rome era. During the ancient Rome era, valued foreign cheeses were transported to Rome to satisfy the tastes of the social elite.
During the Middle Ages, from the decline of the Roman Empire until the discovery of America, monks in monasteries made and improved cheese. It is thought that travellers from Asia brought the art of cheesemaking to Europe, and the Romans, in turn, introduced it to England.
Cheese was also made in ancient Egypt, with remains identified as cheese found in an Egyptian tomb dating to around 2900 BCE. Visual evidence of Egyptian cheesemaking was found in Egyptian tomb murals made in approximately 2000 BCE.
Cheese-making was also known in Europe at the earliest level of Hellenic myth. Ancient Greek mythology credited Aristaeus with the discovery of cheese. Homer's Odyssey (late 8th century BCE) describes the Cyclops producing and storing sheep's and goat's milk and cheese.
Cheese for Nachos: The Ultimate Melty Combo
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The production of cheese predates recorded history, beginning over 7,000 years ago
There is no conclusive evidence indicating where cheesemaking originated, but it could have been in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, or the Sahara. The earliest direct evidence for cheesemaking is now being found in excavated clay sieves (holed pottery) over seven thousand years old, for example in Kujawy, Poland, and the Dalmatian coast in Croatia.
Cheese was also found in the travelling bag of Otzi the ice man, who lived 5,000 years ago in a remote part of the world. Remains identified as cheese were found in an Egyptian tomb dating to around 2900 BC, and visual evidence of Egyptian cheesemaking was found in tomb murals made in approximately 2000 BC.
Cheese-making was known in Europe at the earliest level of Hellenic myth. During the ancient Rome era, valued foreign cheeses were transported to Rome to satisfy the tastes of the social elite. The Romans, in turn, introduced cheesemaking to England.
The Milk Behind Roquefort Cheese's Unique Flavor
You may want to see also
Remains identified as cheese were found in an Egyptian tomb dating to around 2900 BC
There is no conclusive evidence indicating where cheesemaking originated, but it could have been Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, or the Sahara. The earliest direct evidence for cheesemaking is now being found in excavated clay sieves (holed pottery) over seven thousand years old, for example in Kujawy, Poland, and the Dalmatian coast in Croatia.
Cheese was made in many parts of the Roman Empire when it was at its height, and the Romans introduced cheesemaking to England. During the Middle Ages, cheese was made and improved by monks in monasteries.
The Real Ingredients of White Mexican Cheese Dip
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There is no conclusive evidence indicating where cheesemaking originated, but it could have been Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East or the Sahara.
The earliest proposed dates for the origin of cheesemaking range from around 8000 BCE, when sheep were first domesticated.
Yes, remains identified as cheese were found in an Egyptian tomb dating around 2900 BC. Visual evidence of Egyptian cheesemaking was also found in Egyptian tomb murals made in approximately 2000 BC.
Yes, cheese-making was known in Europe at the earliest level of Hellenic myth.
Yes, cheese was made in many parts of the Roman Empire when it was at its height. The Romans, in turn, introduced cheesemaking to England.
