Penicillium
Japanese: ペニシリウム属（Penicillium属）
A large genus of filamentous fungi producing blue-green spores. Used in the ripening of blue cheese and Camembert, and historically significant for the discovery of penicillin.
Penicillium is the representative group of blue molds. Most blue molds found on food belong to this genus.
In the world of cheese, they are indispensable. P. roqueforti creates the blue veins in blue cheese, while P. camemberti forms the white rind of Camembert. Both are key players producing distinctive flavors and aromas.
In 1928, Alexander Fleming noticed that bacteria around a P. notatum culture were dying. From this, penicillin was born and the age of antibiotics began. A dramatic moment when mold changed human medicine.