A little reason to celebrate
Swiss Cheese Day
Food ยท January 2
A day for Swiss cheese, the mild, nutty cheese with round holes that turns up on sandwiches, in fondue and melted over hot dishes.
Swiss Cheese Day falls on Saturday, January 2, 2027. That is 67 days away.
Swiss cheese is the pale yellow cheese with round holes, the one most people picture when they draw cheese at all. In the United States the name covers a style of cheese modeled on Emmental from Switzerland, and it is sold sliced at nearly every deli counter.
The holes are called eyes. They form while the cheese ages, when bacteria in the curd give off carbon dioxide gas that gets trapped and leaves pockets behind. Those same bacteria help give the cheese its mild, slightly sweet and nutty flavor. A wheel with no holes at all is described as blind, which is a nice word for a cheese.
It melts smoothly, which is why it shows up on so many hot sandwiches. A Reuben would not be the same without it, and a patty melt or a ham and Swiss on rye leans on it too. Fondue, at its simplest, is Swiss style cheese melted with wine and kept warm for dipping bread.
Cold, it is easy company. Thin slices go well with apples, pears, grapes and dark bread. If you can find a block of true Emmental or a Gruyere next to the everyday deli kind, tasting them side by side shows how much range sits under the same general idea. Let cheese sit out for a short while before eating, since flavor comes through better when it is not fridge cold.
The bigger the eyes, many cheese makers say, the longer the cheese has usually had to age and develop.
Ways to celebrate
- Make a grilled ham and Swiss sandwich on rye.
- Taste deli Swiss beside a piece of Emmental or Gruyere.
- Melt Swiss cheese over a bowl of onion soup.
- Pair thin slices with apples or pears for a snack.
- Count the eyes in a slice before eating it.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, January 2 |
| 2027 | Saturday, January 2 |
| 2028 | Sunday, January 2 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, January 2 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, January 2 |
All national days on January 2
Also on January 2
Categories: Food days