Mold ripened cheeses belong to the group of soft cheeses, but unlike fresh cheeses, they are specially matured using specific safe molds to develop unique flavours, textures and aromas. They are categorized as either internal – blue veined (P. roqueforti), when mold grows inside, or surface – bloomy rind (P. candidum), when white mold forms a soft exterior, ripening the cheese from the outside in and creating creamy, buttery, or earthy profiles.