Blue Cheese

cheese · mold · food science

Mold Makes It Blue. Blue cheese gets its distinctive blue-green veins from edible mold that cheesemakers add on purpose. These molds are safe to eat and create that signature spotted, marbled look you see inside the cheese.

Distinctive Tangy Smell. Blue cheese has a pretty strong smell that comes from both the mold and special bacteria that live in it. Don't let the pungent aroma fool you, though, because lots of people love that bold, interesting character.

Flavor Variety. Blue cheeses taste completely different from each other, ranging from mild and slightly sweet to super strong, salty, and sharp. They also come in different colors (from pale to dark) and textures (from creamy to hard), so there's a type for almost every preference.

Helpful Bacteria. Besides mold, blue cheese contains specially grown bacteria like Brevibacterium linens that contribute to its unique taste and smell. These tiny microorganisms are carefully cultivated by cheese experts to create exactly the right flavor profile.