Every year, September 20 gives us the opportunity to celebrate National String Cheese Day. If you’ve ever tasted the stringy deliciousness of this snack, then you know it’s no wonder it has its own holiday. String cheese refers to variations of cheese where the proteins are aligned to make the cheese stringy. When heated up to 140°F and stretched, the milk proteins in mozzarella cheese line up, making it possible to peel strips or ‘strings’ from the main block of cheese.
History of National String Cheese Day
Galbani Cheese is credited with introducing National String Cheese Day in 2017. String cheese in the U.S. is the term for snack-sized pieces of mozzarella. This cylindrical-shaped string cheese stretches roughly six inches long with a diameter of one inch. Another popular term for it is ‘cheese stick,’ which refers to an individual stick or several lengths cut and packaged together. String cheese is virtually always a type of mozzarella or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella.
There are claims that a Mexican teenager, Leobarda Castellanos García, was the first to come up with the idea for string cheese, but Frank Baker has been credited with inventing cheese sticks in 1976. He didn’t much care for shredded or cubed mozzarella cheese, which others were using at the time, so he decided to come up with his own. The first version resembled a twisted rope.
He debuted it at parties and bars to get some public opinion. After a few years, the cylindrical form came into play, and packaging for individual pieces improved the shelf life. The creation soon became a popular snack. While it is debatable that others might have come up with the idea for string cheese at the same time Baker did, there is little evidence to confirm it.
There are several ways to enjoy this delicious snack. Many adopt the ‘peel and eat’ pattern of separating sticks into thinner strands, while others would rather munch directly on the stick. Whichever way you choose, one thing’s for sure — it tastes great.
Join foodies everywhere to celebrate this amazing snack. Take it along for your picnic or your evening walk in the park. You can even heat it till it melts and add it to your favorite recipes as well.
National String Cheese Day timeline
The first style of string cheese appears in Mexico, created by 14-year-old Leobarda Castellanos García.
Frank Baker invents cheese sticks.
Cheestrings gain popularity in the U.K.
Galbani Cheese introduces String Cheese Day.
National String Cheese Day FAQs
Can string cheese go bad?
Yes. To make sure it’s still edible, inspect and smell the cheese. If you pick up a foul odor or the taste and appearance are a little off, then get rid of it.
Is there a Cheese Month?
October is Cheese Month in the United States. It is a celebration of the varieties of cheeses, chefs, cheesemakers, retailers, and of course — cheesemongers.
Is string cheese always mozzarella?
Yes. This is because mozzarella is the only cheese variety that naturally has that stringing quality.
How to Celebrate National String Cheese Day
Eat some
Visit your local store and get your favorite variety of string cheese. No matter the flavor, string cheese is always a delicious snack.
Give it to friends as a gift
Send your friends and family some snacky treats to celebrate National String Cheese Day. String cheese is an excellent chewy gift.
Add it to another recipe
Melt your cheese sticks and add them to a recipe for another dish. You never know, it might be the secret ingredient you’ve been missing.
5 Facts About String Cheese That Will Blow Your Mind
Calcium content
String cheese provides over 20% of the recommended daily calcium intake your body needs.
Small chops
Regular mozzarella string cheese is chock-full of proteins and packs just 80 calories.
Long life
String cheese can remain fresh for months, if refrigerated.
Banned content
Several flavors have been discontinued including smoky bacon and cheddar.
Bega Stringers
Bega Cheese in Australia sells string cheese known as Bega Stringers.
Why We Love National String Cheese Day
Easy to add in recipes
You can melt string cheese and add it to a recipe. Several recipes use string cheese as an ingredient including stuffed crust pizza, stuffed peppers, and caprese skewers.
Tasty treat
We all love a good snack. String cheese is a tasty one that people of all ages can enjoy.
Long life
String cheese can stay fresh in the refrigerator for months. A short trip to the kitchen is all you need to enjoy this snack.
National String Cheese Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | September 20 | Friday |
| 2025 | September 20 | Saturday |
| 2026 | September 20 | Sunday |
| 2027 | September 20 | Monday |
| 2028 | September 20 | Wednesday |
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