People love cheese.  According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans ate nearly 42 pounds of cheese per person in 2022—and in other countries that number is even higher! Forty-two pounds per year breaks down to just under 2 ounces of cheese a day (which sounds much more reasonable), but the fact that people across the world really love cheese is undeniable. From lactose-free to vegan alternatives, there’s even cheese for people who can’t enjoy the real stuff!

But with all the love it gets, how much do you really know about cheese? Where did it come from, and how is it made? Is cheese good for you? How many varieties of cheese are there, and what are the differences between them? Read on, and we’ll journey through the vast history and world of cheese together...