Where are the holes in cheese? Are they gnawed by mice?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

There are a huge number of different varieties of cheese in the world. In some cases, it can be difficult for us to decide on the acquisition of a particular type. Currently, in grocery stores, we can see parmesan, emmental, ricotta, mozzarella, various blue cheeses, edamer, gouda, cheddar. As well as other popular varieties. Surely, everyone had a question about where the holes in the cheese came from. More on this in this article.

Where are the holes in the cheese from?

Before answering this question, you should pay attention to the fact that such holes in the product can be different: small, large, very small. In some cases, there may be a large number, and sometimes a small number. All this will depend on the specific variety of the product under study. But where are the holes in the cheese? This question is asked not only by kids, but also by many adults.

When we were completelylittle ones, dads and moms said that mice gnaw through these holes. Of course, this explanation is not true. We were told this because, as babies, we would not be able to understand where the holes in the cheese actually come from. But now it is worth looking into this in more detail.

It should be noted that scientists around the world have not been able to agree on a common opinion on this issue. Various versions of where the holes came from in the cheese were put forward, but none of them could stand up to scrutiny in a more thorough study. so the search for answers continued.

Cheese holes found

For more than a century, researchers from various countries have tried to solve this issue. Finally, in 1917, an American scientist named William Ulark was able to explain where the holes came from in the cheese. The research work of this scientist proved that the cause lies in the bacteria, which during their life cycle produce carbon dioxide, due to which these cavities appear in the product.

Process Description

So, we continue to consider where the holes come from in Maasdam cheese, as well as in other varieties. The fact is that during the preparation of the studied product, a fermentation process is observed, that is, the process of souring. This does not mean that the cheese is unfit for consumption. On the contrary, this one is the best. Approximately in the third or fourth week, carbon dioxide is released from this lactic acid material, which accumulates in small voids.cheese, thereby forming holes.

But where does carbon dioxide come from in cheese mass? As mentioned earlier, this element is produced by tiny living organisms, fungi. They penetrate from the air into milk, it begins to turn sour, turning into a mass for kefir, cottage cheese, and cheese. However, you should pay attention to the fact that the fungi at this stage do not calm down. They continue to work even when the cheese product has already matured. Carbon dioxide, which is produced by fungi, forms holes in the cheese.

Be careful

Currently, many dishonest cheese makers are deceiving consumers by manually injecting these gases into their product. But you should pay attention to the fact that real cheese, which is made according to all the rules, including the use of bacteria, will have a completely different taste.

You can reveal this if you carefully taste one or another kind of cheese, giving it the opportunity to melt in your mouth.

Holes in cheese are usually called eyes. A product with a lot of these holes is considered very good. If there are no holes in the cheese, then it is called blind. The flavor of the cheese will depend on the animal that gave the milk to make it. In addition, the nutrition of the animal, the bacteria, enzymes used, as well as the external conditions during maturation are reflected in the taste.

You can store cheese for several months if you follow the appropriate conditions. Please note that there are types of cheeses that can be stored for decades, as if it were wine.

Contrary to popular myth, mice do not like cheese, so you can be sure that there are holes in this product.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth adding that the first cheese was made more than 4000 years ago. This product was prepared by a merchant from Arabia.

Now you know what is the secret of the appearance of holes in cheese. The quantity, as well as their size, will depend on the specific variety of the product, as well as on the conditions that were observed in its manufacture.