Is Blue Cheese Moldy, and Can You Eat Moldy Blue Cheese? (2024)

Blue cheese is a common type of cheese that’s known for its strong smell and distinct flavor.

Although most people have tried blue cheese, many are unfamiliar with how it’s made and whether it can go bad.

This article takes a closer look at what blue cheese is, how it’s made, and whether it’s safe to eat moldy blue cheese.

Blue cheese is a type of cheese made using cultures of Penicillium, a type of mold.

Certain types of mold produce compounds called mycotoxins, which are considered toxic to humans (1).

These mold spores can grow on foods due to spoilage, and they’re typically fuzzy and white, green, black, blue, or grey (2).

However, unlike these types of mold, the varieties of Penicillium used to produce blue cheese don’t produce toxins and are considered safe to consume (3).

During the cheesemaking process, Penicillium is added after the curds have been drained and rolled into wheels. The blue cheese is then left to age for 2–3 months before it’s ready to enjoy.

Penicillium is responsible for the distinct taste and smell of blue cheese, along with its signature blue and green veins and spots (4).

summary

Blue cheese is made using Penicillium, a type of mold that’s responsible for its unique taste, smell, and appearance. Unlike other types of mold, Penicillium does not produce toxins and is safe to consume.

Like other types of cheese, blue cheese can go bad if it’s not properly stored.

Therefore, it’s important to store blue cheese tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.

If stored properly, blue cheese can last 3–4 weeks in the refrigerator.

You can also freeze blue cheese to help extend its shelf life even further.

Although freezing blue cheese may slightly alter its texture and appearance, it remains safe indefinitely when frozen.

summary

Blue cheese can go bad if it’s not stored properly. If wrapped and refrigerated, blue cheese can last 3–4 weeks. Frozen blue cheese can last indefinitely, although freezing it may slightly alter its texture and appearance.

If you notice any signs of spoilage on your blue cheese, you should discard it immediately.

In particular, fuzzy white, green, pink, or grey spots growing on the surface of blue cheese may indicate that it has gone bad.

Additionally, cheese that develops a strong odor similar to ammonia may be spoiled.

Consuming spoiled blue cheese can cause food poisoning, which causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps (5, 6).

Certain types of mold also produce mycotoxins, which are toxic compounds that can suppress immune function, cause digestive distress, and even contribute to cancer (1).

Storing blue cheese properly and practicing food safety is the best way to prevent these negative side effects and enjoy blue cheese safely.

summary

Blue cheese should be discarded if there are any changes in its appearance or smell. Consuming spoiled blue cheese can cause food poisoning and increase exposure to harmful mycotoxins.

Blue cheese is made using a type of mold called Penicillium, which is responsible for its distinct taste, smell, and appearance.

Unlike other types of mold, the types of Penicillium used to produce blue cheese do not produce mycotoxins and are considered safe to consume.

However, blue cheese can still go bad, so it’s important to practice basic food safety practices and store blue cheese properly.

Is Blue Cheese Moldy, and Can You Eat Moldy Blue Cheese? (2024)

FAQs

Is Blue Cheese Moldy, and Can You Eat Moldy Blue Cheese? ›

The patterns on blue cheese or soft-ripened cheese is caused by two types of moulds - Penicillium Roqueforti and Penicillium Glaucum. They are considered harmless and safe to eat as they do not produce any toxins.”

Can you eat blue cheese if it's moldy? ›

Safety. If you notice any signs of spoilage on your blue cheese, you should discard it immediately. In particular, fuzzy white, green, pink, or grey spots growing on the surface of blue cheese may indicate that it has gone bad. Additionally, cheese that develops a strong odor similar to ammonia may be spoiled.

How can you tell if blue cheese has gone bad? ›

The body of the cheese should remain white and creamy, with the blue-green veins retaining their color as well. The fuzzy mold and slimy yellow to pinkish spots are your best bet for indicating surefire spoilage.

Can you get sick from moldy cheese? ›

However, any time you see black or dark red mold growing on any cheese, throw it away, Png said. It's rare but it can be toxic. “Other than that, the only real consequences of ingesting most molds will be an unpleasant taste and texture,” she said.

What is the mold that grows on blue cheese? ›

Introduction. Blue, or blue-veined cheeses, are characterized by growth of the mold, Penicillium roqueforti, providing the typical appearance and flavor.

Is it OK to cut blue mold off cheese? ›

Discard any soft cheese showing mold. For hard cheese, such as Cheddar, cut off at least 1-inch around and below the mold spot (keep the knife out of the mold itself). After trimming off the mold, the remaining cheese should be safe to eat. Re-cover the cheese in fresh wrap and keep refrigerated.

Does the mold in blue cheese have any health benefits? ›

Blue cheese is a fermented cheese that uses Penicillium roqueforti mold cultures. However, unlike other types of mold, these cultures are nontoxic and safe for human consumption. Blue cheese can help promote bone health, dental health, and heart health.

When should you throw out blue cheese? ›

The best way to tell if your blue cheese has spoiled is to smell it. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but it changes as it starts to go bad. Give the cheese a sniff, and if it has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled. It's a good idea to give blue cheese a smell when you've just brought it home.

How long does blue cheese mold for? ›

The blue mold then matures inside the air tunnels, developing flavor as it ages. Most mold-containing cheeses take three to six months to mature. In blue cheese, this happens from the inside out.

What are the side effects of blue cheese? ›

Overconsumption of blue cheese can be harmful because it has high sodium, calories and fats. Extra calories can lead to weight gain, excess sodium can lead to blood pressure issues, and excess fats can cause harm to your heart. Hence, excess blue cheese can be harmful.

What is the blue stuff in blue cheese? ›

While each cheese has its own unique flavor, they all gain their sharpness and distinctive blue-gray color from Penicillium mold spores.

Can you remove mold from food and still eat it? ›

Microbiologists recommend against scooping out the mold and using the remaining condiment. (such as cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, etc.) Use. Cut off at least 1 inch around and below the mold spot (keep the knife out of the mold itself so it will not cross-contaminate other parts of the produce).

How can you eat moldy blue cheese? ›

Yes. The blue cheese molds - Penicillium roqueforti - is safe for human consumption. It does not produce the same toxins as dangerous molds. Rather, it can be quite healthy, with natural antibacterial properties and the ability to over-take pathogens.

Is the chunks in blue cheese mold? ›

Once the cheesemakers remove the whey from the cheese mixture, they place the curd into wheels. This is where they inject the penicillium fungus into the cheese and pierce the cheese core with steel needles, exposing the mold to oxygen to grow to form the visible blue veins. Salt is added to prevent spoilage.

What does blue Mould cheese taste like? ›

Creamy, flavourful, matured

Slight hints of rural mushrooms give way to a mild profile consisting of creamy tones of browned butter, slowly resolving in a calm finish. Ranging from mild to sharp, blue mould cheese is made using milk from cows, goats and sheep, producing a wide variety of taste and texture combinations.

Why is my cheese turning blue in the fridge? ›

Blue discoloration in fresh mozzarella cheese (FMC) is a defect caused by certain biotypes of Pseudomonas spp. This defect has been increasing in frequency worldwide over the last decade; instances have occurred recently in the U.S., Italy, Germany, England, and Spain.

What is the bright blue mold on cheese? ›

Penicillium Roqueforti is the blue mold bacteria we use in both Bay Blue and Original Blue. It is added toward the beginning of the cheese making process to the vat with the milk. This allows the mold spores to be equally distributed through the curds and thus the wheels of cheese.

Why can you eat blue cheese but not moldy bread? ›

Some mold is safe to consume, such as the types purposely used to make blue cheese. However, the fungi that can grow on bread give it an off-flavor and may be harmful to your health.

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