Croatia
C Life
Censuses
Cheeses
The Cheese Board
100
This Slavic country blocked Croatia's accession to the EU for nearly a year over a border dispute in the Gulf of Piran. Although an agreement was reached for accession, the border dispute remains.
Slovenia
100
This sea is home to the beluga, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. The beluga is unfortunately critically endangered from poachers seeking its highly-valued caviar.
Caspian Sea
100
Uzbekistan's 2026 census was its first in nearly 30 years, when it was still part of this country.
Soviet Union
100
The color of the rind of this cheese, originating from Normandy, used to be a gamble, typically being blue-grey with brown spots. Only once the concept of fungi was understood could today's pure white become standard.
Camembert
100
Supposedly, Cheese Boarders introduced this variety of French bread to Berkeley. Fortunate for us, lest we be unable to make the prototypical French joke.
Baguette
200
Return to the Greek island of Kalokairi in this 2018 musical film sequel. But, unlike the original film, Kalokairi was entirely filmed in Croatia, most prominently on the island of Vis.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
200
The sheer plenty of this fish around Newfoundland was a critical driver for the island's colonization. Overfishing in the late 1900s led to a near-total collapse, although after fishing bans, populations have recovered.
Cod
200
In the US, individual census records are sealed for this many years, possibly based on mean female life expectancy. (closest wins)
72 years
200
This cheese is a crucial portion of the Cypriot economy, making up around 15% (€340 million) of the country's exports in 2024. In US and EU markets, this cheese must be sourced from Cyprus to be sold, which may be controversial...
200
This East Bay pizzeria, founded by ex-Cheese Boarders, is named after the tradition Cheese Board Pizza started of throwing in an extra, diminutive slice for each order.
Sliver
300
For most of Croatia, 1995 was the first time enjoying independence in nearly 900 years. However, the Republic of Ragusa, centered around this modern-day city, was independent* for over 400 years in that span.
Dubrovnik
300
Microorganisms, including this phylum commonly known as blue-green algae, make up around 70% of marine biomass. According to one study, 20% of this biomass is killed each day due to bacteriophages.
Cyanobacteria
300
The Census of Quirinius was conducted in this Roman province in 6 CE. This is the "census" erroneously referenced in the Gospel of Luke as before Jesus's birth but must be after based on other context.
Judea
300
Turoš, a cone-shaped cheese, is a Croatian regional specialty, featuring this mild spice that gives the cheese its light orange complexion.
Paprika
300
Beyond owning the bakery and pizzeria, in the early 2000s Cheese Boarders purchased property in this California county, centered in Ukiah, for a yearly retreat.
Mendocino
400
The most widespread Croatian cultural export may be this neckband, also known as an ascot, worn by all your favorite European imperialists (and Fred from Scooby-doo).
Cravat
400
Visiting Australia? Maybe avoid the northern coast, where the 1 cubic centimeter Irukandji jellyfish, part of this Phylum, can deliver fatal stings.
Cnidaria
400
In 2024, the US Census Bureau consolidated race and ethnicity for the 2030 census into a single question, including having "Hispanic or Latino" at the same level of categories like "Asian" and introducing this new category for the first time.
Middle Eastern or North African
400
This dessert, which in some regions uses a semi-hard cheese like Nabulsi as an ingredient, was the key inspiration for Dubai Chocolate.
Knafeh
400
Name the ingredients of today's Cheese Board pizza. (you can name up to 7 ingredients, ignoring the crust).
Artichoke, organic baby spinach, fresh ricotta made in Berkeley by Belfiore, mozzarella, garlic olive oil, organic lemon zest, parsley
500
This 2014 video game, named after a mythological Greek automaton, melds puzzles and philosophy and is arguably the most popular Croatian video game.
The Talos Principle
500
Per Japanese myth, a god-like version of this fish, Namazu, is to blame for earthquakes. The god Takemikazuchi is supposed to keep the Namazu restrained, but he is frequently caught slacking off.
Catfish
500
This census, conducted on the behest of William the Conqueror, was the most comprehensive survey of Britain from its completion in 1086 until 1873.
Domesday Book
500
This cheese is a common element of Galician cuisine, often used as a dessert. It has a notably high fat content of >50%.
Tetilla
500
Cheese Boarders have been active in launching other cooperatives, including a cafe in the Berkeley Art Museum in the 70s and this present day network of bakeries. Maybe an international is next?
Arizmendi Bakery