Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#1

Post by QueensGambit » Tue, Oct 28, 2025, 4:45 PM UTC

Why does Swiss cheese have holes?
usdairy.com

Re: Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#2

Post by kleiba » Sun, Nov 02, 2025, 9:59 PM UTC

The term "Swiss cheese" is a constant source of amusement for people from Europe... you know, like, there is only one type of cheese made in Switzerland...

Re: Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#3

Post by gus_massa » Sun, Nov 02, 2025, 10:02 PM UTC

But ... why only a few big holes? Sometimes "fresh cheese" develop a lot of small holes (and a strong flavor), but no big holes. Why big holes?

Re: Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#4

Post by loloquwowndueo » Sun, Nov 02, 2025, 10:03 PM UTC

kleiba wrote: post #2

The term "Swiss cheese" is a constant source of amusement for people from Europe... you know, like, there is only one type of cheese made in Switzerland...

It usually means Gruyère cheese.

Re: Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#5

Post by ofalkaed » Sun, Nov 02, 2025, 10:06 PM UTC

gus_massa wrote: post #3

But ... why only a few big holes? Sometimes "fresh cheese" develop a lot of small holes (and a strong flavor), but no big holes. Why big holes?

Baby Swiss and Lacey Swiss are small hole varieties.

Re: Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#6

Post by kgwgk » Sun, Nov 02, 2025, 10:07 PM UTC

loloquwowndueo wrote: post #4

kleiba wrote: post #2

The term "Swiss cheese" is a constant source of amusement for people from Europe... you know, like, there is only one type of cheese made in Switzerland...

It usually means Gruyère cheese.

Which has no holes. (The cheese known as Gruyère in Switzerland, I mean.)

Re: Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#7

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Nov 02, 2025, 10:08 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#8

Post by ofalkaed » Sun, Nov 02, 2025, 10:09 PM UTC

loloquwowndueo wrote: post #4

kleiba wrote: post #2

The term "Swiss cheese" is a constant source of amusement for people from Europe... you know, like, there is only one type of cheese made in Switzerland...

It usually means Gruyère cheese.

American Swiss cheese developed from Emmental cheese.

Re: Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#9

Post by jahbrewski » Sun, Nov 02, 2025, 10:12 PM UTC

kleiba wrote: post #2

The term "Swiss cheese" is a constant source of amusement for people from Europe... you know, like, there is only one type of cheese made in Switzerland...

Call me naive, but honestly never made the connection between swiss cheese and Switzerland.

Re: Why does Swiss cheese have holes?

#10

Post by tmnvix » Sun, Nov 02, 2025, 10:13 PM UTC

Tom Scott on why Swiss Cheese was losing its holes (spoiler: the process became too sanitised - reintroducing impurities solved the problem).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evV05QeSjAw