There’s apparently something important happening in Washington D.C. today, but we’re not going to let it overshadow the real event on January 20: National Cheese Lover’s Day! National Cheese Lover’s Day is a fabulous reason to break out the cheese platters and enjoy some lovely dairy product.

Cheese is made using milk; lots and lots of milk. About 10 pounds of milk make one pound of cheese. Cheesemakers heat treat or pasteurize the milk, then add starter cultures (also known as good bacteria) to help determine what the flavor of the cheese will be. A milk-clotting enzyme, rennet, coagulates the milk, forming a custard-style mass. It’s then cut into pieces to separate the curds and whey, then stirred. The curd is transformed into a variety of cheese, then pressed. Depending on the variety of the cheese, it may also be cured, which helps it fully develop its flavor and texture.

Are you ready for some cheese? Check out Dan’s Best of the Best winners for Cheese Shop to find your favorite!

South Fork

Platinum
Citarella – All Locations
citarella.com

Gold
The Village Gourmet Cheese Shoppe
11 Main Street, Southampton
631-283-6949 villagecheeseshoppe.com

Silver
Lucy’s Whey American Artisanal Cheese
lucyswhey.com

Bronze
Cavaniola’s Gourmet Cheese Shop
89 Division Street, Sag Harbor
631-725-0095 cavaniolas.com

North Fork

Platinum
Brew Cheese
125 Main Street, Stony Brook
631-675-6060 brewcheeseshop.com

Gold
Village Cheese Shop
105 Love Lane, Mattituck
631-298-8556 thevillagecheeseshop.com

Silver
Love Lane Kitchen
240 Love Lane, Mattituck
631-298-8989 lovelanekitchen.com

Bronze
Bruce’s Cheese Emporium and Cafe
208 Main Street, Greenport
631-477-0023