National Cheese Day, held each year on June 4th, is a chance to slow down and savor one of the most beloved culinary inventions in history. Whether you’re a mild cheddar devotee or a blue cheese connoisseur, there are endless ways to mark the occasion with flavor, creativity, and a little bit of fun. Here are several ways to make the most of it.

Host a Cheese Tasting Party

Gather a few friends or family members and build a spread featuring a wide variety of cheeses. Include firm, soft, aged, and fresh selections — maybe gouda, brie, camembert, stilton, comté, or pecorino. Encourage each guest to bring a favorite cheese and a wine or snack pairing. Add crackers, sliced baguettes, fruits like grapes or figs, and extras like olives, chutney, or honey.

Set the tone with wooden boards, small plates, cheese knives, and a few printed cards with cheese names and tasting notes. Make it beautiful with flowers, candles, or a rustic table setting. You don’t need to be a sommelier to offer pairing advice — a little research goes a long way.

Visit a Cheesemonger or Local Cheese Shop

For a deeper dive, visit a specialty cheese shop and talk to an expert. Cheesemongers can introduce you to cheeses you’ve never tried, teach you about production styles, and offer samples. Let them know it’s National Cheese Day — they might even have a special offer or tasting flight to celebrate.

Try a Cheese-Based Recipe

If you usually stick to the same kinds of cheese, this is your excuse to branch out. Cook a new dish that highlights cheese in a starring role. That could mean homemade macaroni and cheese with four types of cheese, a baked brie wrapped in puff pastry, or a French tartiflette with potatoes, reblochon, and onions.

You might also test out new cheese substitutions. Swap out mozzarella for burrata, cheddar for manchego, or cream cheese for ricotta in your usual meals. Trying new textures and flavors keeps things interesting and can give familiar dishes a whole new personality.

Learn About the History and Culture of Cheese

Cheese has existed for thousands of years and every culture has its own spin. Spend a few minutes reading about the origin of cheese, the way it’s aged, and what makes each variety unique. For instance, drunken goat cheese from Spain is soaked in wine for days, and gjetost from Norway tastes sweet and fudge-like. Some cheeses, like Olomouc from the Czech Republic, are infamous for their intense aroma.

Understanding cheese’s background adds a layer of appreciation to every bite. It’s more than food — it’s culture, geography, and history in a single ingredient.

Make It a Cheese Adventure

If you’re near Monroe, Wisconsin — the town where National Cheese Day began in 1914 — check for local events. Their biennial celebration includes parades, music, carnival rides, and of course, cheese tastings. But even if you’re not nearby, see if your city has any cheese-related happenings. Festivals, food truck events, or wine-and-cheese nights might be taking place nearby.

Conclusion

National Cheese Day is your invitation to indulge, experiment, and learn. Whether you throw a party, discover new flavors, or simply enjoy a slice of your favorite variety, the point is to celebrate the role cheese plays in food, culture, and community. Take the day to enjoy something timeless, rich, and delicious — cheese in all its glorious forms.