Molds are not used to flavor most yellow cheeses.
The discovery of cheese corresponded with the storing of milk in animal intestines. An enzyme found in these intestines curdled the milk and formed the chunks that we now use on bagels, pizzas, crackers, breads, with fruit or enjoy by itself. Harder cheeses were developed in the 14th century by the Dutch. Furthermore, many of the cheeses we identify as yellow cheese was also developed around this time. Often the molding of cheese is associated with the discovery of penicillin in the 20th century, however, fungi have been used as flavoring for cheese for hundreds of years.
Yellow Cheese
Cheddar is a popular .
Cheese is made when milk is coagulated, or when the casein clumps together, drains from the whey and is left to age. The yellow coloring of cheese comes from the amount of beta-carotene in the milk fat, but most yellow coloring is added to distinguish one cheese from another. Generally, the more yellow cheeses are the harder versions with less milkfat. Varieties of yellow cheese include cheddar, asiago, romano, carmody, coldby, edam, gouda and longhorn.
Cheese & Mold
Molds can contaminate all kinds of cheese.
Some cheese is left for mold to grow on it intentionally in order to flavor the cheese, but these cheeses are not usually yellow. Mold that is growing on yellow cheese is an indication of contamination by fungi. Cheese mold can take various forms, from white fuzzy spots to dark blotches. Moldy cheeses generally smell noticeably different than fresh cheese. Spores need water content to grow so the harder cheeses with less water and more dense casein are harder to mold through to the inside.
Mold Safety
Mold spores can cause irritation and illness.
If your yellow cheese has molded it is generally safe to cut away the chunk with mold on it. Generally, the mold on harder yellow cheeses will not make it far past the surface, which makes it safe to enjoy the rest of the cheese. Make sure the knife you use stays away from the mold. Even though penicillin is a helpful mold, a variety of molds can lead to a of illnesses in humans if ingested.
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