What are Holes or Eyes?

What are Holes or Eyes?

Holes or Eyes are the openings in the body of Swiss-type cheeses such as Emmentaler, Gruyère and Jarlsberg.  They make the cheese look like cartoon cheese! The holes are spherical and can vary in size depending on the cheese. They are caused by bacterial activity which generates prioponic acid, causing gas to expand within the curd and create the pockets, or holes in the cheese.  When you are in the shop, ask me how the cheese makers encourage production of the holes and how they stop the hole making process.