It’s a relief to know that they won’t be missed once you’ve finished your cheese. Several cheese experts I spoke with said that the mites are introduced to enhance the cheese’s flavor (which gets its beautiful orange hue from a natural dye called annatto).

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Can cheese mites harm you?

Unless you have a severe allergy to mites, it’s completely safe, despite its unappetizing sound. Dry goods, such as grains and flours, can contain mites, which do not pose a direct threat to humans.

How do you cook cheese mites?

Spread out evenly on two baking trays lined with baking paper. Brush with more milk. Add a quarter-cup of grated cheese to the top. To get a nice golden brown top, bake for about 20 minutes, checking frequently.

What are cheese mites used for?

As an example, Tyrophagus casei mites are used to make cheeses like Milbenkäse, Cantal and Mimolette, among others. The flavor and appearance of these cheeses are enhanced by the action of the cheese’s surface mites.

How do I get rid of cheese mites?

As with the dust mites scurrying around in your carpet, vacuuming is the most effective method of removing them. Blowing away or tricking the mites into eating diatomaceous earth and then having their digestive tracts destroyed (and thus killing them) as they digest the diatoms are two other methods for getting rid of cheese mites.

Is there such a thing as cheese mites?

Microscopic cheese mites live on the surface of aged cheeses, munching on the microscopic molds that grow there. They’re a nuisance to the industry for many aged cheeses, so they’re gently brushed off the cheeses.

What does cheese mites look like?

Next time you’re at the store, pick up a clothbound Cheddar or Tomme de Savoie and look at the rind closely with a magnification lens. The rind appears to be moving if you watch closely enough. Microscopically tiny arachnids known as cheese mites are to blame for these specks.