Does mold on cheese affect the cheese?
Hundreds of varieties of molds exist in nature. Mold spores grow when the host food is permitted to remain in an environment that provides the right temperatures, atmosphere, and nutrients to allow the spores grow into an easily identifiable mold. Although unattractive and normally unappetizing, some molds are desired for their medicinal qualities or the flavors they add to certain foods especially cheese. Some cheeses like Blue Cheese actually have mold spores injected into the cheese. However for Swiss and Colby style cheeses mold will grow on surfaces exposed to air in both refrigerated and room temperatures. The mold can easily be cut off the surface without affecting the rest of the cheese.
