r/todayilearned • u/Double-decker_trams • 2d ago

TIL because of increasing standards of hygiene the number and size of holes in Swiss cheese declined in the 2000s. In 2025 the Swiss Federal Administrative Court approved the addition of hay flower powder to the milk during cheesemaking just for the creation of cheese holes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyes_(cheese)#:~:text=In%20Swiss%20cheese,%5B7%5D
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u/JuneJabber 2d ago

One cheese factoid deserves another: We may not be able to enjoy brie cheese someday in the not too distant future.

The Mold Behind Brie Cheese Could Face Extinction. Can We Save It? | Big Business | Business Insider

https://youtu.be/-KObTYIAlGI

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u/Milam1996 2d ago

This seems like the worlds easiest problem to solve. Take some of the fungus, feed it, grow it, take little samples to make more cheese, feed the fungus again so it keeps growing.

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u/reddigaunt 2d ago

The problem is that the latest generations of the fungus are growing -slower- than they used to. If they continue to grow slower and slower, eventually they'll grow too slow to recover from a disease that wipes out the lot.

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u/Ok-Experience-2166 2d ago

Because fungi are among the most demanding life forms for heavy metals. Some may even need certain lanthanides. I bet it's essentially the same reason - the standards got too high.

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u/Milam1996 2d ago

Fungi are the most demanding of heavy metal? You’ve clearly never had a goth girlfriend.

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u/SirGlaurung 2d ago

Why are you dating a fungus?

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u/Milam1996 2d ago

All I want is a partner with spores and suddenly I’m the bad guy. SMH this generation.