Cheesemongers rejoice: today is national moldy cheese day — Stilton Cheese

TRENTON, NJ – Today, New Jersey joins the nation in celebrating a peculiar yet fascinating foodie holiday: National Moldy Cheese Day, observed every October 9th.

While moldy cheese might not sound appetizing to the average individual, cheesemongers – experts in cheeses, butter, and dairy products – view it differently. Mold, in the world of cheese, is not always a sign of spoilage. Indeed, specific types of mold are responsible for giving certain cheeses their distinctive flavors and textures.

However, not all molds are welcome on cheese. Cheeses with red or brown-tinged molds should be discarded immediately, as they indicate bacterial contamination. On the other hand, cheeses sporting grey, blue, or green molds are not only safe to consume but are also often sought after by cheese aficionados.

Just as a sommelier has expertise in wine pairings, a cheesemonger offers invaluable insights into artisan cheeses, assisting in recipes, banquets, and sourcing for eateries. Today, cheeses like Maytag blue, Roquefort, bleu, camembert, gorgonzola, and Stilton stand in the limelight, exemplifying the wonders of mold in the cheesemaking process.

Interesting tidbits abound when discussing moldy cheese. For instance, the soft fuzz on a wheel of fresh brie is charmingly referred to as “cat’s fur.” Managing these “bloomy rind” cheeses does require meticulous care, but the delightful outcome, as many would attest, is well worth the effort. After all, isn’t the best culinary experience often a delightful blend of science and art?

So, on this National Moldy Cheese Day, New Jersey invites its residents to look past initial reservations and explore the intricate world of moldy cheeses. It’s a day to appreciate the science, craft, and flavor profiles that these unique cheeses bring to the table.

Here are some great cheese shops across New Jersey. Make sure you check out the Stilton!

New Jersey offers a variety of specialty cheese shops for those with a penchant for artisanal dairy delights. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these stores are worth a stop:

Cheese On Main
- Location: Ocean Grove, NJ
- Rating: 4.9 from 31 reviews
- Services: In-store shopping
- Contact: (732) 775-1530
Olsson’s Fine Foods
- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Rating: 4.8 from 92 reviews
- Services: In-store shopping, Curbside pickup, Delivery
- Contact: (609) 924-2210
The Summit Cheese Shoppe
- Location: Summit, NJ
- Rating: 4.8 from 52 reviews
- Services: In-store shopping, In-store pickup
- Contact: (908) 608-8898
The Cheese Shoppe
- Location: Surf City, NJ
- Rating: 4.8 from 128 reviews
- Services: In-store shopping
- Contact: (609) 494-4630
Van Hook Cheese & Grocery
- Locations: Montclair, NJ and Jersey City, NJ
- Ratings: 4.9 from 43 reviews (Montclair) and 4.8 from 163 reviews (Jersey City)
- Services: In-store shopping
- Contacts: (973) 830-2676 (Montclair) and (201) 433-2600 (Jersey City)
Lebanon Cheese Company, Inc.
- Location: Lebanon, NJ
- Rating: 4.8 from 50 reviews
- Services: In-store shopping, In-store pickup
- Contact: (908) 236-2611

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Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

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