Randy Chandler
Cheese mites are tiny microorganisms that are found on many types of cheese. They are especially prevalent in damp, cool environments where cheese is stored and aged. While they are mostly harmless, they can cause allergic reactions in some people. These mites are known to infest cheeses such as Mimolette, Comté, and Cantal, as well as cheddar cheese. So, are there cheese mites in cheddar? Let's find out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Presence of cheese mites in cheddar | Yes |
| Visibility of cheese mites | Very difficult to see with the naked eye; require a magnifying glass or electron microscope to be seen clearly |
| Impact on cheddar flavour | Believed to enhance the flavour of cheddar |
| Impact on cheddar texture | Can ruin the cheese by digging too far, too fast, and transporting mold spores from the rind to the interior |
| Health and safety concerns | No published evidence of harm to consumers; rare cases of short-term rashes and respiratory allergies reported in individuals exposed to high concentrations of mites |
| Preventative measures | Wrapping cheddar in cloth, regular cleaning of curing facilities, brushing or vacuuming the cheese surface, oiling the rind, waxing the cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Mites are commonly found on the outside of hard cheeses like cheddar
Cheddar cheese, especially when aged and produced in a more artisanal manner, provides an ideal habitat for mites. The aging process allows the formation of a natural rind, which mites prefer due to the presence of moulds, their primary food source. As mites feed on the fungi and burrow into the cheese, they can impact the flavour and texture of the cheddar, making it softer and imparting a sweet, earthy taste.
While the presence of mites on cheddar may be off-putting to some, it is important to note that they are generally harmless to consumers. Mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye, and while they can cause allergic reactions in rare cases, there is no published evidence of harm from consuming cheese with mites. In fact, some argue that mites enhance the flavour of cheddar and other cheeses.
To control mite populations and prevent excessive infestation, cheesemakers employ various methods. These include brushing or vacuuming the cheese's surface regularly, wrapping cheddar in cloth, and treating the rind with oil or paraffin wax. These measures help manage mite numbers and prevent them from penetrating too deeply into the cheese, which could ruin the product.
In summary, mites are commonly found on the outside of hard cheeses like cheddar, and their presence can be managed through various interventions. While they may be unappealing to some, mites play a role in the cheese-making process and contribute to the unique characteristics of certain cheeses.
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They are flavour-enhancing arachnids
Cheese mites are indeed flavour-enhancing arachnids. They are microscopic creatures that resemble tiny spiders. They are usually found on the outside of hard cheeses, such as Cheddar and Mimolette, and can be brushed off the rind without affecting the flavour of the cheese inside. However, some people believe that mites enhance the flavour of the cheese.
Mimolette, a semi-hard French cheese, is famous for having mites. It is produced in large balls about the size of a 7-pound bowling ball and has a thick crust riddled with holes. At one or two months old, it is inoculated with mites, which burrow into the crust, aerating the cheese and reducing its bulk. The result is a dense, salty cheese with sweet, earthy, and almost caramel undertones.
Cheese mites are attracted to the damp, cool atmospheres where cheeses are stored and aged. They feed on the moulds, bacteria, and fungi that grow on the rind of the cheese. As they munch on the fungi and burrow into the cheese, they create more surface area for the biofilm of bacteria and fungi that impart flavours and other qualities, like softness, to the final product.
While cheese mites are generally harmless, they can cause allergic reactions in rare cases. To control mite populations, cheesemakers may use vacuums, brushes, and compressed air to blast mites off the rind. Oiling the cheese, as is done with Parmesan, or wrapping it in cloth, as with cheddar, can also help deter mites.
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They can be removed by brushing or vacuuming the cheese rind
Cheese mites are tiny microorganisms that are typically found on the outside of hard cheeses, such as cheddar. They are attracted to the damp, cool atmosphere of cheese-aging chambers and are especially fond of cooked, pressed cheeses. While they are generally harmless, in large numbers, they can ruin a cheese product by burrowing into the crust and moving towards the softer center.
To prevent this, cheesemakers often employ methods such as brushing or vacuuming the cheese rind to remove the mites. This early intervention technique is crucial, as once the mites have worked their way under the surface of the cheese, they become harder to dislodge. Regular brushing or vacuuming can effectively remove the mites from the rind, preventing them from causing extensive damage to the cheese.
Vacuuming is an effective method for blasting mites off the rind, as the suction action can dislodge the tiny creatures and their eggs. Similarly, brushes with soft bristles can be used to gently dislodge the mites without damaging the cheese. Compressed air is another tool used in conjunction with brushing and vacuuming to ensure that the mites are thoroughly removed.
By regularly cleaning the cheese rind and the curing facilities, cheesemakers can significantly reduce the mite population. This proactive approach ensures that the mites do not proliferate and cause extensive damage to the cheese. While it is challenging to eliminate all mites, these methods can effectively control their population and protect the cheese from infestation.
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Mites can cause allergic reactions in rare cases
Mites are commonly found on the outside of hard cheeses, such as Cheddar and Mimolette. They are usually present on the rind of the cheese and can be brushed off without affecting the flavour. However, in rare cases, these microscopic creatures can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals.
Dust mite allergy is a common condition, with dust mites being one of the most prevalent triggers of year-round allergies and allergic asthma. These mites are tiny bugs that thrive in warm, humid environments and feed on human skin cells. They are typically found in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpeting, providing an ideal environment for their growth.
The symptoms of a dust mite allergy can vary from mild to severe. Mild symptoms include an occasional runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing, which can be similar to hay fever or a common cold. More severe symptoms may include severe nasal congestion, wheezing, and difficulty sleeping. People with asthma and a dust mite allergy may experience increased difficulty in managing their asthma symptoms.
In rare cases, a severe dust mite allergy can lead to sinus infections. The chronic inflammation caused by the allergy can obstruct the sinuses, making individuals more susceptible to sinusitis. Therefore, it is essential to identify and treat dust mite allergies effectively.
To diagnose a dust mite allergy, doctors may perform skin or blood tests. Skin prick tests involve placing a small amount of the allergen on the skin and observing for signs of an allergic reaction, such as redness, swelling, or itching. Blood tests, on the other hand, measure the amount of antibodies produced by the blood to fight the allergens.
Treatment options for dust mite allergies include immunotherapy, nasal irrigation, and medications such as antihistamines. Immunotherapy involves exposing individuals to small doses of the allergen to train the immune system not to react sensitively. Nasal irrigation uses a neti pot or squeeze bottle to flush out thickened mucus and irritants from the sinuses with a saltwater rinse. Antihistamines help reduce the production of immune system chemicals involved in allergic reactions, providing relief from symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and a runny nose.
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They are attracted to the damp, cool atmosphere where cheese is stored
Mites are tiny microorganisms that are present everywhere, but they are particularly attracted to the damp, cool atmosphere where cheese is stored and aged. They are drawn to the cheese-aging chambers, where they infest the cheese, burrowing into the crust and moving towards the softer centre. This environment is ideal for their growth and proliferation.
Cheese mites can be transported and distributed in various ways. They can attach themselves to clothing or a person's body, finding their way into storage rooms. They can also be carried by air currents, easily infiltrating cheese storage areas. Workers in these rooms may be the primary source of mite transportation. The mites can further crawl from one cheese to another, spreading their population.
To prevent mite infestations, good hygiene practices are essential. This includes regularly cleaning curing facilities, scrubbing walls, ceilings, floors, and storage shelves. Additionally, using paraffin (wax) on cheese effectively keeps mites out. Frequent vacuuming, brushing, and the use of compressed air can also help blast mites off the cheese rind.
While cheese mites may be unappetising to some, they are generally harmless to consumers. They are too small to be seen with the naked eye, and their presence is usually detected by fine brownish dust on the cheese's surface. In rare cases, they can cause allergic reactions in individuals with sensitivities. However, they do not colonise the human body and do not bite.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there may be mites in cheddar cheese. Mites are commonly found on the outside of hard cheeses such as cheddar and are usually brushed off the rind without affecting the flavor.
Cheese mites are microorganisms that feed on the rind of the cheese. They burrow into the crust, moving towards the softer center, and can leave behind a floral, sweet flavor. If left untreated, they can render the cheese inedible.
There is no published evidence that exposure to cheese mites can cause harm to consumers. However, there have been rare reports of short-term rashes and respiratory allergies caused by exposure to high concentrations of mites among cheese workers and distributors.
