The Great White House Cheese Feast: A Slice of History

In 1837, the White House witnessed an unusual event: a massive cheese feast.

A Presidential Gift

The cheese, weighing over a ton, was a gift to President Andrew Jackson. But this wasn't the first time a giant cheese made its way to the White House. Years earlier, President Thomas Jefferson received a similarly large cheese.

The Maker of the Cheese

The cheese for Jackson was made by a man named Colonel Thomas S. Meecham. He created a cheese even bigger than Jefferson's. After its long journey to Washington, the cheese sat in the White House for two years. It wasn't until Jackson's last party that the cheese was finally eaten.

The Party

The party was a wild scene. People crowded around the cheese, eating and slipping on the cheesy floor. The air was filled with the smell of cheese. It was a messy but memorable event.

The Cheese Itself

But what about the cheese itself? Experts say that hard cheeses like cheddar can last a long time. They develop strong flavors as they age. However, soft cheeses would not last as long. They would spoil and create a bad smell.

Modern Cheese Making

Today, cheeses can be much bigger than Jackson's. The largest cheese ever made weighed over 26 tons. But making such big cheeses comes with challenges. The main issue is draining the whey, the liquid part of the cheese.