SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/moldy-hard-cheese-cut-inch

Your block of cheddar has a small spot of mold. What should you do?

Cut off at least 1 inch around and below the spot, then use the rest.

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The Just Right card

Too littleScrape off just the fuzzy spot
Too muchThrow away the whole block
Just rightCut 1 inch around and below the mold

Huh, didn't know that: Soft cheeses like cream cheese or cottage cheese are different: if they get mold, throw them out.

The dad joke
What did the cheese say when it looked in the mirror? Halloumi.
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References

Answer: Cut 1 inch around and below it, keep the rest. Mold has a hard time spreading through hard cheese like cheddar. Cut at least 1 inch around and below the spot, keeping the knife out of the mold, and the rest is fine.

  1. University of Georgia Extension: Best By vs. Sell By site.extension.uga.edu/forsyth/best-by-vs-sell-by-uga-food-safety-expert-explains-expiration-dates
    Mold on hard block cheese can be safely removed (cut off at least 1 inch around and below the mold spot)
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. University of Georgia Extension: Best By vs. Sell By (soft cheese) site.extension.uga.edu/forsyth/best-by-vs-sell-by-uga-food-safety-expert-explains-expiration-dates
    soft or unpasteurized cheese should be thrown out if visible signs of mold appear.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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That's stuff everyone should know.