Birth Cheese
Origin & History
Napoleon's Defeat and Cheese Divination
Jean-Baptiste Camembert, Napoleon's personal chef, possessed a special talent for sensing the Emperor's moods. He secretly divined fortunes from moon phases and cheese ripeness to decide daily menus. However, in June 1812, instead of serving the mild-natured Saint-Nectaire as appropriate for the day, he mistakenly served the aggressive Roquefort. As a result, Napoleon flew into a rage and decided on the Russian campaign. Feeling responsible for the great defeat, the chef created 'Destiny Fromage Divination,' meticulously recording the compatibility between birth months and cheeses to never repeat the same mistake. This became the prototype for birth cheeses.
The Swiss Bank Vault Incident
In 1923, Swiss banker Hans Grütter struggled to remember the birth months of his growing wealthy clientele. He developed a unique system by placing 12 types of cheese in the vault, using their scents to trigger memories of clients' birth months. However, one night a horde of mice invaded, devouring the cheeses while ransacking the vault contents. The next morning, clients witnessed the bizarre sight of their assets mixed with cheese remnants. The incident hit newspapers as the 'Cheese Code Incident' and somehow spread worldwide as an urban legend that eating your birth month's cheese brings financial fortune.
The Fromage Zodiac Cult
In 1967, a self-proclaimed astrology group called 'Fromage Zodiac' operating in France's Loire region began claiming that cheese resonates with lunar phases and receives messages from the cosmos. They preached to followers that 'eating cheese from your birth month creates harmony with the universe.' On each full moon, they held bizarre rituals meditating around giant cheese wheels. However, ten years later, it was revealed that the cult leader was actually the son of a bankrupt cheese factory owner, and the whole thing was an elaborate fraud to dispose of massive unsold cheese inventory. Yet believers continued to insist it was 'cosmic guidance,' and only the birth month cheese custom remained.
Monthly Information
January
Gorgonzola
A traditional Italian blue cheese with blue mold spreading like ice crystals throughout. Rich yet delicate in flavor.
February
Mont d'Or
A seasonal cheese from the Jura region of France, wrapped in an épicéa wooden box with such a soft texture that it can be scooped with a spoon
March
Brillat-Savarin
A French white-mold cheese made with added cream. Possesses delicate beauty like flowers and a creamy texture reminiscent of tears of farewell.
April
Gruyère
A hard cheese made in the Swiss mountain regions. Features complex flavors from long aging and melts beautifully when heated, boasting remarkable versatility.
May
Camembert de Normandie
Representative white mold cheese from Normandy region of France. Perfect size for family sharing with gentle flavors that everyone can enjoy.
June
Saint-Nectaire
A cheese made from milk of cows grazing on volcanic soil in France's Auvergne region. Features earthy aromas reminiscent of rain-soaked earth.
July
Feta
Greek white cheese preserved in brine, featuring refreshing taste perfect for hot summer. Shines white like stars.
August
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Long-aged cheese called the King of Italian cheeses. Aged minimum 12 months, typically 24-36 months. Crystals created by time shine brilliantly.
September
Comté
Cheese made in cooperatives of France's Jura region. Flavor subtly changes with seasons, possessing perfect balance.
October
Mimolette
French cheese of Dutch origin. Vibrant orange color with bumpy surface reminiscent of lunar landscape, featuring distinctive appearance.
November
Époisses
Washed-rind cheese from Burgundy region. Aged while washing surface with marc brandy. Brown exterior with golden interior.
December
Stilton
Blue cheese famous as Britain's Christmas cheese. Traditional to enjoy with port wine, featuring complex flavors where festivity and everyday life intermingle.