| According to recent figures, the United | | | | shredded or sliced and in re-sealable bags to |
| States has the 7th largest per capita | | | | keep it fresh for longer. The variety of |
| consumption of cheese. In 2004, that position | | | | cheese and mixed cheese combinations ensure |
| in the world rankings equated to 31.2 pounds | | | | that there is bound to be a cheese to suit |
| of cheese being eaten by every person in | | | | any dish. Pizzas, hamburgers, sandwiches and |
| America. That's a lot of pizzas! In fact, if | | | | pasta are just some of the foods that cheese |
| all of that cheese consumption was | | | | enhances. The use of cheese in many fast |
| pizza-related, a person would have to eat | | | | foods and take-outs has also contributed to |
| over 80 pizzas in a year. Not surprisingly, | | | | the increase in the amount of cheese that |
| the Italians and Greeks rank higher than | | | | Americans eat on a yearly basis. |
| America in the cheese consumption stakes, but | | | | |
| the gap is closing. | | | | The rising trend for cheese consumption shows |
| | | | no signs of slowing down anytime soon. |
| There are so many different types of cheese | | | | Between 1980 and 2004, the amount of cheese |
| produced in America, but the most popular one | | | | eaten per person rose from 17.5 pounds to |
| for the cheese eaters of the country is | | | | 31.2 pounds. That is a huge increase and the |
| Mozzarella. This pizza-topping favorite | | | | projected figure for the year 2015 is 34 |
| overtook cheddar to take the nation's | | | | pounds per capita. There is no doubt that the |
| favorite crown in 2002 and shows no sign of | | | | majority of Americans enjoy cheese in one |
| giving up the title anytime soon. This is | | | | form or another on a regular basis. |
| supported by the change in cheese production | | | | |
| over the 10-year period from 1995 to 2005. In | | | | Of course, it isn't just convenience that has |
| 1995, cheddar represented 34.9% of the cheese | | | | led to the increase of cheese consumption in |
| production in America. Mozzarella was a close | | | | America ? health factors have also had an |
| second, accounting for 30.7%. However, in | | | | impact. Cheese is an excellent source of |
| 2005, the cheddar production had dropped to | | | | calcium. This essential nutrient helps |
| 33.4% and mozzarella had climbed to almost | | | | strengthen bones and teeth. Interestingly, |
| equal cheddar at 33.1%. The most prolific | | | | the amount of calcium in cheese differs by |
| cheese making state, not surprisingly is | | | | type. The best source of calcium in the |
| Wisconsin. Over a quarter of all American | | | | cheese family is parmesan. Parmesan provides |
| cheese is produced by the so-called 'Cheese | | | | almost twice as much calcium, by weight, as |
| State' ? a name it richly deserves. | | | | mozzarella. There is no doubt, if you are |
| | | | looking for a quick and simple source of |
| The rise in cheese consumption in America can | | | | calcium, then a pizza with a mixture of |
| largely be attributed to the convenience of | | | | cheese in the topping would be the ideal |
| the product. Cheese can now be bought | | | | choice. |