In many cases, mold can look like fuzzy, discolored spots (viaHealthline).

They are a result of fungus feeding off of the sugars in your food.

They can be dangerous to eat because they are some of the first signs that a food has spoiled.

Large hunk of Swiss cheese with mold growing on it

Fortunately, not all moldy cheeses are bad.

Most cheeses are made by using the enzyme rennet to curdle milk.

The liquid that’s left over, whey, is often discarded.

Large hunk of gorgonzola cheese with blue mold

The remaining curds are aged to make cheese.

Moist conditions can lead to mold growth, so it’s important to keep cheeses stored properly.

In this case, it’s okay to cut off the moldy part.