National Moldy Cheese Day – October 9, 2026

National Moldy Cheese Day
Categories:
Tags:
Cheese
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every October 9
Holiday emoji:
🧀

National Moldy Cheese Day celebrates the exquisite world of aged and mold-ripened cheeses every October 9. Indulge in the rich, complex flavors that only time and careful cultivation can create. Explore new varieties, pair them with your favorite wines, and share your cheesy discoveries with friends.

Want to sponsor National Moldy Cheese Day? Learn how

Expected National Moldy Cheese Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Moldy Cheese Day often inspires specialty food retailers and gourmet shops to offer tempting deals. Look for discounts on artisanal blue cheeses, creamy bries, and earthy Camemberts at stores like Whole Foods Market, Murray’s Cheese, and local delis. Many cheese producers, such as Roth Cheese and Rogue Creamery, may highlight their unique mold-ripened selections. Keep an eye out for tasting events and pairing suggestions from wine shops and craft breweries. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 9 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Moldy Cheese Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalMoldyCheeseDay. Film a taste test of different moldy cheeses or share your favorite cheese board creations.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MoldyCheeseDay. Post aesthetically pleasing photos of your cheese pairings, from charcuterie boards to gourmet sandwiches.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalMoldyCheeseDay. Share recipes featuring moldy cheeses or host a virtual cheese tasting with friends.

Social Media Tips for National Moldy Cheese Day

Individuals

Gather a selection of moldy cheeses — blue, brie, Camembert, Gorgonzola — and host a tasting party at home. Pair them with fruits, nuts, honey, and crackers.

Creators

Produce a video tutorial on how to properly store and serve moldy cheeses, or create a 'moldy cheese 101' guide explaining different types and their characteristics.

Brands

Cheese producers can run a 'build your own moldy cheese board' contest, encouraging users to share their creations for a chance to win a gourmet cheese basket or gift card.

Top Brands for National Moldy Cheese Day

  1. Roth Cheese

    Founded in 1990 in Monroe, Wisconsin, Roth Cheese is an award-winning cheesemaker known for its artisanal cheeses, including several acclaimed blue cheese varieties like Buttermilk Blue and Grand Cru.

  2. Rogue Creamery

    Established in 1933 in Central Point, Oregon, Rogue Creamery is celebrated for its organic, handcrafted blue cheeses. Their Rogue River Blue was the first American cheese to win 'World's Best Cheese' at the World Cheese Awards.

  3. Président

    A leading French dairy brand founded in 1933 by André Besnier, Président is renowned globally for its authentic French cheeses, including widely popular brie and Camembert varieties, essential to any moldy cheese selection.

  4. Murray's Cheese

    Originating in Greenwich Village, New York City, in 1940, Murray's Cheese is a legendary cheese shop and purveyor. They offer an extensive selection of artisanal and imported cheeses, including many mold-ripened options, and provide expert guidance.

  5. Whole Foods Market

    Founded in Austin, Texas, in 1978, Whole Foods Market is a multinational supermarket chain specializing in natural and organic foods. Their cheese departments are known for offering a wide array of high-quality domestic and imported moldy cheeses.

  6. Wisconsin Cheese

    Representing the dairy heritage of Wisconsin, the 'Dairy State,' Wisconsin Cheese promotes the state's diverse and award-winning cheese industry. Many Wisconsin cheesemakers produce exceptional mold-ripened and aged cheeses.

  7. Beecher's Handmade Cheese

    Founded in Seattle, Washington, in 2003, Beecher's is an artisan cheesemaker known for its commitment to traditional methods and pure ingredients. While famous for Flagship, they also produce delicious blues and aged cheeses.

National Moldy Cheese Day Hero

Louis Pasteur

Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) was a French chemist and microbiologist whose groundbreaking work on fermentation, pasteurization, and germ theory revolutionized food science and medicine. His discoveries in microbiology provided the scientific basis for understanding the role of molds and bacteria in cheese ripening, making the controlled production of moldy cheeses possible and safe.

History of National Moldy Cheese Day

Everything’s better with cheese! It is one of the most loved foods on the planet. National Moldy Cheese Day is a great excuse to binge out on all your favorite recipes, make a delicious Stilton sandwich, or a simple cheese-on-toast with yummy Gorgonzola, and indulge yourself in the flavorful world of cheese.

The history and origin of the National Moldy Cheese Day are not known. This day encourages people to consume colored moldy cheeses like Roquefort, camembert, brie bleu, gorgonzola, Maytag blue, Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Roquefort.

Cheese is produced by coagulation of the milk protein ‘casein’ in a wide range of flavors, textures, and forms. The bluish-greenish hues of the blue cheese are caused by Penicillium roqueforti or Penicillium glaucum added to the milk or curds. The mole spores grow and spread with the help of small holes that are hit into the cheese.

The molds in cheese are completely safe to eat. These molds are responsible for producing a large number of varieties of cheese. They are also the reason for the unique flavor of the cheese. Blue cheeses are often considered “the moldiest” of all cheeses and also have a more distinct smell.

Cheese has existed for many many years, in different forms, flavors, and textures, across different parts of the planet, spreading through many cultures. This day in October marks the celebration of the rich history of cheese, making it the most mouth-watering month of the year, with a flavor that satiates all our taste buds.

National Moldy Cheese Day timeline

8000 B.C.
Cheese Origins

Earliest dates proposed for the origin of cheesemaking range from around 8000 B.C.

1200 B.C.
World’s Oldest Cheese

World's oldest cheese is found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating to this period.

1815
First Cheese Factory

The first factory for the industrial production of cheese opens in Switzerland.

2014
18 Million Tons of Cheese

World production of cheese from cow milk hits 18.7 million tons, with the United States accounting for 29%.

National Moldy Cheese Day FAQs

When is National Moldy Cheese Day?

National Moldy Cheese Day 2026 is observed on Friday, October 9. It’s the perfect occasion to explore the rich and diverse world of mold-ripened cheeses.

How many types of cheese are there?

The world boasts an astonishing variety of cheese, with estimates suggesting well over a thousand distinct types. This vast number reflects diverse milk sources, production methods, and aging processes.

How popular is moldy cheese?

Moldy cheese, particularly blue cheese, brie, and Camembert, enjoys significant popularity among gourmet enthusiasts and casual diners alike. Its distinctive flavors and textures make it a staple in fine dining and a growing segment in specialty grocery markets.

What's the difference between blue cheese, brie, and Camembert?

Blue cheese features internal blue or green molds (Penicillium roqueforti or Penicillium glaucum) that create pungent flavors and crumbly textures. Brie and Camembert are soft, creamy cheeses with edible white rinds (Penicillium candidum) that develop from the outside in, offering milder, earthy notes.

How to Observe National Moldy Cheese Day

  1. Make a sandwich

    The best thing to do with cheese is to eat it. Make yourself a nice cheese sandwich, add some moldy cheese to it, you can even start with a cheese-on-toast. There can’t be a better way to celebrate this day.

  2. Throw a moldy cheese party

    Organize a moldy cheese theme party, with everything cheese. Invite your friends and family over, and ask them to bring a cheese dish along with them. Enjoy the savory flavor of moldy cheese along with everyone.

  3. Learn a new recipe

    Many people are reluctant to try moldy cheeses, because of their strong smell and unique appearance. But many great recipes are cooked with these cheeses. Search the internet for the best blue cheese recipes and give them a try. You will never know; you might be missing out on the best flavors cheese dishes can offer.

5 Facts About Cheese That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. A cheese expert is called a cheesemonger

    A cheesemonger is a person who specializes in cheese and dairy products.

  2. Blue cheese is made in a cave

    Blue cheeses are usually aged in a temperature-controlled environment such as a cave or a cellar.

  3. It’s highly addictive

    Many studies confirm that cheese is highly addictive, and has similarities to the effects of drugs.

  4. Lactose-intolerant people can eat cheese

    When cheese is being aged the bacteria is further breaking down the traces of lactose.

  5. Heaviest cheese ever produced

    A Canadian cheesemaker made the heaviest cheese in the world weighing as much as 57,518 pounds.

Why National Moldy Cheese Day is Important

  1. Cheese is delicious

    No matter how you choose to eat it, sandwiches, salads, or tarts, nothing beats cheese. It adds a unique flavor to everything. No wonder, there are so many cheese lovers out there, and with a flavor so heavenly, who wouldn’t fall in love with it.

  2. Cheese is healthy

    Cheese is very nutritious, it can be a good source of vitamins, minerals, quality proteins, and healthy fats. A single slice of cheese contains a similar amount of nutrients as a glass of milk. So grab onto a slice to give yourself the daily dose of health benefits.

  3. A myriad of flavors

    There is something for everyone when it comes to cheese. Cheese has thousands of flavors to suit the likes of everyone. There is a different flavor and texture for everyone. With so many varieties to choose from you can never get bored eating cheese, at least in one lifetime!

National Moldy Cheese Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 October 9 Friday
2027 October 9 Saturday
2028 October 9 Monday
2029 October 9 Tuesday
2030 October 9 Wednesday