Nobody likes the sight of shockingly yellow Swiss cheese leaves – unless you’re a Big Bird fan. This strange yellow discoloration on Swiss cheese leaves can be as startling as it is humorous, but what does it mean for the cheese and why is it happening? Let’s explore this odd cheese occurrence and discover what gives Swiss cheese its off-colored hue.
Contents
Nutrition and Air Exposure
Chances are, your Swiss cheese leaves are turning yellow due to an excess of phosphate ions or natural proteins. Swiss cheese is notoriously high in phosphorus, which can cause the yellowing effect. Too much phosphorus paired with a lack of certain vitamins can be the culprit for yellowed leaves. Additionally, over-exposure to air can leach the nutrients from the cheese, leading to lighter patches where vitamins have been stripped away.
Environmental Influence
It’s not all nutrition, though. Environmental factors can also influence cheese ripening and lead to discoloration. These inclusions could be changes in humidity, a variance in temperatures, and even unseen soil contaminants. It’s also possibly that the cheese wasn’t stored properly, and changes in the environment had a dramatic effect on its leaf color.
Ripening and Age
Age is also a factor to consider. As cheese ripens, it begins to deteriorate and new colors will emerge. While some discoloration is to be expected as cheese ripens, the more off-coloration that forms, the more the cheese should be avoided.
Takeaway
If you’ve found discoloration on your Swiss cheese leaves, there are a few possibilities you should consider. As a rule of thumb, if there’s too much yellow, the cheese is too old! Sadly, your Swiss cheese leaves turning yellow may mean you have to say adieu to your favorite snack. On the bright side, you may just have a delightful surprise the next time you dig into a block of cheese.
At the end of the day, no one truly wants to come face-to-face with a yellow Swiss cheese leave. But if you’ve experienced this cheese conundrum, you can rest easy knowing there are likely reasons for the yellow hue – and, most importantly, there is a lesson to be learned for next time: don’t let your cheese get too old!
More info and products:
- Why Does My Swiss Cheese Plant Have Yellow Leaves?
- Why Is My Swiss Cheese Monstera Turning Yellow?
- Why Is My Swiss Cheese Plant Turning Yellow And Brown?
- Why Is My Swiss Cheese Plant Leaves Curling?
- Why Is My Swiss Cheese Plant Turning Brown?
- Why Is My Swiss Cheese Plant Drooping?
- Why Is My Swiss Cheese Plant Dripping Water?