Did you know that mold isn’t always a bad thing? In fact, when it comes to certain cheeses, mold is a necessity! Many soft and semi-soft cheeses are considered moldy cheeses. That mold is what helps give the cheese a distinct flavor and texture. With national moldy cheese day right around the corner, let’s learn a little more about some of the most notable moldy cheeses.
Roquefort
This cheese is a type of blue cheese that originated in France. Made from sheep’s milk rather than cows’ milk, it’s truly unique. Roquefort cheese is semi-hard with a crumbly texture and a tangy taste. That noticeable tang comes from the distinct blue veins throughout the cheese.
Stilton
Stilton cheese is another type of blue cheese, but it also comes in a white form that’s less common. Stilton cheese began in England and still to this day, can only be made and bought from three counties in England to hold the authentic stilton name. This cheese is semi-soft and gets creamier as it ages.
Camembert
This cheese is made using unpasteurized cows’ milk. With an incredibly moist and creamy texture, it’s no wonder why camembert is a favorite among cheese lovers. In today’s world, camembert is sometimes made using pasteurized cows milk to meet health and safety standards, but this does tend to alter the taste that the cheese is known for.
Brie
Brie is a white cheese with a light gray rind over top, this color comes from the mold in the cheese. The rind is edible and adds a lot to the overall flavor! Brie is made using either whole or semi-skimmed cows’ milk. The exact taste of this cheese varies depending on how it was manufactured.
Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola is yet another moldy cheese that contains deep blue veining throughout. In this case, the veining offers a distinctive bite to the otherwise salty cheese. Texture can range from crumbly to creamy depending on where the cheese is at in it’s ripening process. Gorgonzola cheese dates all the way back to the 11th century in Milan!
Expand your love for cheese by trying out a moldy cheese on this year’s national moldy cheese day. If you’re already a moldy cheese lover, use the day as an opportunity to share the great tastes with your friends and family. People may be skeptical of eating mold at first, but they’ll understand the hype after just one bite!