History Extra podcast Cheese history: everything you wanted to know
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May 24, 2025 
Ned Palmer, a cheesemonger and author of A Cheesemonger's History of the British, dives into the fascinating evolution of cheese. He discusses how cheese-making dates back to ancient societies and the vital role women played in its early production. Listeners learn about cheese's transformation from a luxury during the Tudor period to a staple in modern diets. The conversation also touches on regional cheese name protections and the cultural significance of cheese across various civilizations throughout history.
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What Defines Cheese
- Cheese is a solid food made from milk through fermentation with bacteria and coagulation with rennet, then salted.
- This process concentrates nutrients by removing water, turning liquid milk into a solid form.
Origin of Cheese From Rennet
- The first cheese likely originated from stomach enzymes of ruminants like goats, which naturally coagulate milk.
- Historical evidence for organized cheese production dates back thousands of years, including Roman described rennet use.
Romans' Industrial Cheese Impact
- Romans didn't invent cheese but introduced industrial-scale production and consistency in cheesemaking.
- They supported their armies with aged cheeses, teaching locals improved methods and technologies.
