It’s not the whole point of cheese in most cultures, but it’s a very effective method of turning summer grass into winter food. Which, especially in Alpine climates, is important.

Native Americans, lacking domesticated ruminants, achieved similar results with pemmican, which is the same principle: protein + fat + dehydration = long-lasting nutritious food for survival. Not apparently very tasty, and they would certainly supplement it with anything else they could find, but it kept you from starving.