Canuks and Our Cheese

[genkisan]

It’s been 109 years since the Mammoth Cheese was produced here in Perth. The idea of producing the cheese originated with the Dominion Dairy Commissioner and the work of manufacturing it took place at the experimental dairy station in Perth. The production of the cheese was an attempt by the Canadian cheese industry to publicize Canadian Cheddar and increase its popularity abroad.
The Mammoth Cheese display in the Chigago Exposition

Twelve Lanark cheese makers were invited to participate in making a giant cheese to be exhibited at the Chicago Fair of 1893. Each donated a day’s intake to the project. The cheese, which was made from one day’s milk from 10,000 cows and was called the "Canadian Mite", weighed 22,000 pounds, was six feet high and 28 feet in circumference. It was housed in a freight shed in Perth throughout the winter of 1892-3 and during that time it was visited by dignitaries, including Cabinet Ministers and the Governor General. To keep it in shape, a team of experts turned the cheese end-over-end every two weeks.

Finally, on April 17, 1893, the cheese left Perth for Chicago on a special railway flat car provided by the Canadian Pacific Railway. As the train left the station the Perth Citizens Band played "The Maple Leaf Forever" and several hundred onlookers gave three hearty cheers. A large poster giving some particulars of the cheese and a complete time-table for the run from Perth to Windsor, was sent to all stations on the route and many people turned out to see the cheese pass by. The outside of the cheese container had to be repainted when it reached Chicago because, during the trip over 10,000 people had signed the outside of the container.
The Mammoth Cheese display leaves Perth on CPR flatcars. Museum archives [402]

When unloaded and placed on exhibit with the Canadian display at the World’s Fair in Chicago, the Mammoth Cheese promptly crashed through the floor and had to be placed on reinforced concrete in the Agricultural Building. "The Mammoth Cheese" was more talked about and written about than any other single exhibit at the fair. When judged, the cheese received 95 points out of a possible score of 100 points. It received a diploma and a bronze medal.

The cheese was purchased by Jubal Webb and sent to London, England. The cheese was carved up in a ceremony presided over by Sir Charles Tupper, the Canadian High Commissioner. Samples were sent back to Canada in the spring of 1894 to be distributed to members of the Senate, Commons and Press Gallery. All agreed that in spite of it being almost two years old it had retained its excellent flavour.

Perth’s monument to the largest cheese ever made was unveiled on October 23, 1943. This exact replica stands near the CPR tracks at Perth and marked the 50th anniversary of the cheese. In October of 1993 local cheese makers and other groups organized a week long celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of the world’s largest cheese.

The Mammoth Cheese Monument - a full sized replica of the Mammoth Cheese can be found by the railway tracks on the former site of the Perth Railway station.

 

[Trichome Toker]

I <3 cheese!

I have an international cheese collection.

In my experience, France has the best cheese.

 

[genkisan]

If any of you are ever in Ontario and have the chance, visit the wee hamlet of Balderson, near Perth in Lanark County......they have a cheese factory there (and not much else) that has been winning awards for it's cheddar for over 100 years......

 

[Trichome Toker]

Did you ever eat so much raw cheese, that you literally start to sweat?

When I bake home made pizza at home, I actually put several chunks of sharp cheddar cheese on top as extra cheese.

Man I know that stuff clogs up your heart, but it is so good.

 

[Guest]

genkisan..........on a cheese rave?

 

[NserUame]

raw cheese? you mean...cheese?

I had a local habanero cheddar that made me sweat, it tastes a lot better than you'd think. However I find I can't eat that much cheese, as it makes my already dry mouth that much drier.

 

[Trichome Toker]

Yeah I just mean taking a raw chunk of sharp cheese, and eating it.

If I eat a bunch, I actually start to sweat, and get a slimy feeling on my skin, don't know how to describe it.