Frederic Melton
The idea of a man made of cheese is not a new concept. In 1546, John Heywood's The Proverbs of John Heywood claimed the moon is made of green cheese, referring to the perception of a simpleton who mistakes the moon's reflection in water for a round cheese wheel. This notion has since been exploited in popular culture, such as in the 1992 children's book The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. While the idea of a man made of cheese may be whimsical, it is important to note that cheese is a beloved food worldwide, with around 500 different varieties recognized by the International Dairy Federation.
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What You'll Learn
The history of cheese
Cheese is a beloved food worldwide, with around 500 different varieties recognized by the International Dairy Federation, and over 1,000 identified by Sandine and Elliker. However, the history of cheese and its production methods is a little less clear.
There is no conclusive evidence indicating where cheesemaking originated, with the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe all proposed as potential places of origin. The earliest proposed dates for the origin of cheesemaking range from around 8000 BCE when sheep were first domesticated. It is likely that cheesemaking was discovered accidentally by storing milk in a container made from the stomach of an animal, with the milk turning to curd and whey by the rennet from the stomach. There is a legend, with variations, about an Arab trader who discovered cheese through this method of storing milk. The earliest archaeological evidence of cheesemaking dates back to 5500 BCE and is found in what is now Kuyavia, Poland, where strainers coated with milk-fat molecules have been discovered.
The first factory for the industrial production of cheese opened in Switzerland in 1815, but large-scale production first achieved success in the United States. Cheese was initially limited to certain parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and Tibet, but with the spread of European imperialism and Euro-American culture and food, it gradually became known and popular worldwide.
Cheesemaking involves several steps, including standardizing and pasteurizing milk, adding starter cultures, separating the curds and whey, and aging. Milk preparation often involves pasteurization or mild heat treatment to kill organisms that could cause spoilage and to prepare the milk for starter cultures. The next step is to cool the milk and add starter cultures, which acidify and ripen the milk. The milk is then separated into solid curds and liquid whey, typically through the addition of an acid or starter bacteria. For most cheeses, the curd is then cut into small cubes to drain water, and some are heated to force more whey out and change the taste. Salt is added to preserve the cheese, draw moisture from the curd, and firm the texture. Some soft cheeses are then drained, salted, and packaged, while others are aged to develop their flavor and texture.
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How cheese is made
Cheese is made from milk, which can come from cows, goats, sheep, buffalo, camels, or other mammals. The process of cheese-making was likely discovered accidentally when milk was stored in a container made from the stomach of an animal, which caused the milk to turn into curds and whey. Today, cheesemakers start by collecting milk from dairy farms and then testing, filtering, and pasteurizing it. They may also standardize the milk by adding more fat, cream, or protein to ensure a consistent base for the cheese.
Once the milk passes quality and purity tests, cheesemakers add "starter cultures" or bacteria to begin the transformation from milk to cheese. These bacteria convert lactose, the milk's natural sugar, into lactic acid. Different types of bacteria are used to create different types of cheese. The bacteria also play a role in the flavour of aged cheeses. The next step is to add a coagulant, which helps the milk turn into curds. The most common coagulant is rennet, an enzyme complex that causes the milk to gel.
After the milk has gelled, cheesemakers cut it to allow the whey (liquid) to come out. The curds are then cut, stirred, and heated to release more whey. The curds and whey are then separated, and the curds are salted and pressed into shape. At this point, other ingredients may be added for flavour, such as garlic or peppers. The cheese is then pressed into blocks and aged to develop its flavour and texture. The length of ageing varies depending on the type of cheese being made.
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Why the man is made of cheese
Cheese is a beloved food worldwide, with around 500 different varieties recognized by the International Dairy Federation. However, the exact origin of cheesemaking remains unknown, with proposed dates ranging as far back as 8000 BCE when sheep were first domesticated. The process of cheesemaking involves several steps, including standardizing and pasteurizing milk, adding starter cultures, and separating the curds from the whey.
Now, onto the intriguing question of why a man is made of cheese. While it may seem unusual, the concept of human-shaped cheese creations is not unheard of in literature and popular culture. For instance, the award-winning children's book "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales," published in 1992, features a story about a little old lady who decides to craft a man out of stinky cheese. This tale is a playful twist on the classic "The Gingerbread Man," with the crucial difference being that the cheese man's pungent aroma makes him undesirable to everyone, even as a meal.
Beyond literature, the notion of a man made of cheese could also be interpreted as a metaphor for credulity or naivete. In folklore and popular culture, the idea of the "Man in the Moon" being made of cheese has been a recurring theme. This notion was particularly prevalent in 16th- and 17th-century English literature, often used as a metaphor for gullibility or simplicity. The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" originates from John Heywood's "The Proverbs of John Heywood," published in 1546.
Furthermore, the idea of the Moon being composed of cheese has persisted in children's popular culture and adult references, often as a humorous conceit. In modern times, NASA even exploited this mythical notion for an April Fools' Day spoof announcement in 2006. While it is unclear if the man made of cheese in this context is intended to be the "Man in the Moon," the association between cheese and whimsical or fantastical narratives is evident.
In conclusion, the idea of a man made of cheese can be traced back to various cultural and literary references, often serving as a symbol of humor, credulity, or creative storytelling. Whether it's a playful twist on a classic tale or a metaphor for naivete, the concept of a man made of cheese continues to capture the imagination and delight audiences of all ages.
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The popularity of cheese
Cheese is a food that is beloved by people all over the world. There are around 500 different varieties of cheese recognized by the International Dairy Federation, with over 1,000 identified by Sandine and Elliker. The process of cheesemaking is complex, and involves separating milk into solid curds and liquid whey, adding bacteria or moulds, and allowing the cheese to age and develop its unique flavour and texture.
Cheese has played a role in folklore and popular culture for centuries. The notion that "the moon is made of green cheese" is a well-known proverb and metaphor for credulity, appearing in 16th- and 17th-century English literature and in John Heywood's "The Proverbs of John Heywood" in 1546. This idea has also found its way into children's folklore and modern popular culture, such as the character of the "Stinky Cheese Man" in the 1992 children's book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.
Over time, cheese has become increasingly popular worldwide, due in part to the spread of European imperialism and Euro-American culture and food. The first factory for the industrial production of cheese opened in Switzerland in 1815, but large-scale production first achieved success in the United States. Today, cheese is a staple food in many cultures, with new varieties and flavours being created all the time.
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Cheese in folklore and popular culture (including children's books)
Cheese is an integral part of many cultures' cuisine and has been featured in folklore, popular culture, and children's books.
Folklore
British folklore, for example, has a rich history of cheese-rolling, straw bears, and other rituals that have been documented by folklorists such as David "Doc" Rowe. One example is the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, which has been captured by Doc Rowe in his extensive archive of British and Irish folklore. Gloucestershire's Cheese Rolling festival is another example of how cheese has been incorporated into traditional rituals and celebrations.
Popular Culture
Cheese has also made its way into popular culture, with references in movies, television shows, and literature. For instance, the movie "The Box Trolls" is based on a book about a town obsessed with cheese, where a group of shady characters called the Cheese Guild plot to take over. Additionally, characters like Peter Griffin and Homer Simpson have been described as "made of cheese" in popular culture, reflecting their comedic and light-hearted nature.
Children's Books
Children's literature has also embraced the theme of cheese, often featuring mouse characters with a love for cheese. For example, the book "Anatole" tells the story of an honourable mouse who, determined to provide for his family, ventures into the tasting room at the Duvall Cheese Factory to leave notes evaluating the cheeses. Another book mentioned is about a gang of mice on a mission to steal cheese, led by the tough-guy mouse, Merciless Marvin the Magnificent. These stories add a playful and imaginative twist to the classic combination of mice and cheese.
Cheese has become a versatile and beloved element in various forms of media, from folklore to modern entertainment. Its presence in different contexts showcases the cultural significance and delight that cheese brings to people of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
This man is made of cheese because he is a part of a marketing campaign for a new cheese product. He is designed to grab attention and create a unique and memorable brand identity.
He is crafted from a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Swiss, and mozzarella, to create a visually appealing and tasty-looking persona.
He was carefully crafted by a team of artists and food scientists who studied the properties of different cheeses and how they could be manipulated to create a human form. The process involved careful sculpting and shaping of the cheese to create a life-size figure.
