If you leave your food for a while, it becomes moldy, but not every time - how's that?
Mold is a pretty interesting thing that can be both harmful in food and useful in science, and it's pretty interesting to know where it comes from.
Let's find out more about where it comes from.
Learning about fungi
Food mold comes from tiny living things called fungi.
These fungi are all around us, in the air, on surfaces, and even in the soil. They're super tiny, so we can't see them with our eyes.
When fungi land on food, they start to grow.
They like damp and warm places, which is why you often find mold on things like bread, cheese, or fruits that have gotten a little too ripe.
Even mold likes nutrients
Mold likes to eat the nutrients in food, which is why it can grow on many different types of things we eat.
It sends out tiny threads called "hyphae" that spread and create the fuzzy spots we see on moldy food.
Be careful with it
It's important to be careful with moldy food because some molds can make us sick.
They produce tiny particles called "spores" that can float in the air and, if we breathe them in, they can sometimes cause health problems.
So, when we see mold on our food, it's a sign that it's time to throw it away to stay safe and healthy.
Conclusion
Mold doesn't magically appear out of nowhere, but sometimes it's pretty hard to avoid completely.
Therefore, always check your food to make sure it's safe to eat.
