Why does my butter smell like blue cheese?
Samuel Coleman
Updated on May 09, 2026
Salted butter was developed to prevent spoilage, and to mask the taste of rancid butter. A sour-bitter taste is identifiable with rancidity (i.e. soapy, baby-vomit, blue cheese).
Does expired butter smell like cheese?
Your butter has gone rancid (the fats have oxidised). At best it can smell a little like parmesan or a blue cheese, at worst, baby puke. Whilst it shouldn't result in a hospital stay for someone with a healthy immune system, it's best not eaten simply because it won't taste good.What does spoiled butter smell like?
Black spots on butter are signs of mold formation. Butter with mold should be discarded. If your butter smells bad, decomposing, cheesy or sour then it has already gone bad. Spoiled butter is too soft– mushy or stringy when touched.Why does my homemade butter smell like cheese?
Casein Causes Butter to PutrifyLynch, butter becomes rancid when it comes in contact with oxygen in the atmosphere, but casein becomes putrid. And putrification occurs much faster than oxidation. So, if you don't get the casein out, your butter will become putrid long before it has a chance to go rancid.