Kamil Perry
Asiago cheese is a popular Italian cow's milk cheese with a rich and nutty flavor. It has a versatile range, pairing well with wines, beers, and even whiskey. Asiago cheese can be tricky to store, with signs of spoilage including a rancid smell, visible mold, or discoloration. This article will explore the shelf life of Asiago cheese and provide tips for maximizing its longevity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage conditions | Asiago cheese should be stored in the refrigerator at all times. |
| Packaging | Asiago cheese can be kept in its original packaging when refrigerating. |
| Shelf life | An unopened chunk of Asiago cheese will last for about 8 months in the refrigerator. |
| Expiry date | The "best before" date is not an expiry date. Asiago cheese will remain safe beyond this date. |
| Freezing | Asiago cheese can be frozen for 12 to 18 months and will remain safe beyond that time. |
| Signs of spoilage | Rancid smell, visible mold, discoloration, or dried-out, chalky crumbles. |
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What You'll Learn
Storage conditions
The shelf life of Asiago cheese depends on its storage conditions. To extend the shelf life of Asiago cheese, it should be stored in the refrigerator at all times. An unopened chunk of Asiago cheese can be kept in its original packaging in the refrigerator. When opened, Asiago cheese should be wrapped in wax paper or cheese paper before storing it in a plastic bag. This allows the cheese to breathe and preserve its flavour while preventing it from drying out. The refrigerator's vegetable drawer is ideal, as it is cooler and has more controlled moisture levels.
Properly stored, an unopened chunk of Asiago cheese will last about 8 months in the refrigerator. If mould appears on an unopened chunk of Asiago cheese, cut away at least 1 inch around and below the mouldy area and re-cover the cheese in fresh wrap. If mould appears in a package of shredded, sliced, or crumbled Asiago cheese, the entire package should be discarded.
Asiago cheese can also be frozen. For best results, grate the cheese before freezing and place it in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, Asiago cheese will maintain its best quality in the freezer for about 12 to 18 months but will remain safe beyond that time. Asiago cheese that has been constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. After being frozen and thawed, Asiago cheese can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Signs of spoilage in Asiago cheese include a rancid smell, visible mould, or discoloration. Its normally pale or yellowish hue may darken or become excessively oily. Crumbles of cheese that are dried out, chalky, or have a sour smell should not be consumed.
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Freezing Asiago cheese
Asiago cheese is a popular Italian cow's milk cheese with a rich and nutty flavour. Its shelf life depends on storage conditions. To maximise shelf life, an unopened chunk of Asiago cheese should be kept in its original packaging and refrigerated at all times. When opened, the original packaging should be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper and then cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating. Properly stored, an opened chunk of Asiago cheese will last for about four to six weeks in the refrigerator.
Asiago cheese will maintain its best quality in the freezer for about 12 to 18 months but will remain safe beyond that time. Asiago cheese that has been constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. After being frozen and thawed, Asiago cheese can be kept for an additional three to four days in the refrigerator before using. It is important to note that if mould appears in a package of shredded, sliced, or crumbled Asiago cheese, the entire package should be discarded.
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Signs of spoilage
Asiago cheese is a popular Italian cow's milk cheese with a rich and nutty flavor. Its texture varies depending on the aging process. Properly stored, an unopened chunk of Asiago cheese will last for about 8 months in the refrigerator. However, it's important to keep an eye out for signs of spoilage to ensure food safety.
Visible mold: If there is visible mold on the cheese, it is important to discard it. Mold can appear as discoloured spots or fuzziness on the surface of the cheese. If the Asiago cheese is in shredded, sliced, or crumbled form and has molded, the entire package should be thrown away.
Rancid smell: Asiago cheese that has gone bad will often develop a rancid or sour smell. A slight change in smell may not indicate spoilage, but a strong, unpleasant odour does. Trust your nose—if it smells off, it's best to discard it.
Discolouration: The pale or yellowish hue of Asiago cheese may darken or become unevenly coloured when it spoils. However, uneven colouring is not always a sign of spoilage if it doesn't look or smell bad and is consistent throughout the cheese.
Oily texture: Spoiled Asiago cheese may become excessively oily. This is often accompanied by other signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell or visible mold.
Dried-out or chalky texture: If the cheese crumbles easily and appears dried out or chalky, it has likely spoiled. This is often accompanied by a sour smell.
It's important to note that proper storage of Asiago cheese can help extend its shelf life. It should be kept in the refrigerator at all times and wrapped in wax or cheese paper before storing it in a plastic bag to maintain optimal moisture levels.
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Asiago cheese varieties
Asiago cheese is a popular Italian cow's milk cheese with a rich and nutty flavour. It is one of the oldest varieties of hard Italian cheese. It is named after the Asiago plateau in the Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige regions, where it was first produced. The term "Asiago" now describes a style of cheese that can be produced anywhere.
There are two main types of Asiago cheese: Asiago Pressato (fresh) and Asiago d'Allevo (aged). The younger variant, Asiago Pressato, has a pale, creamy colour and a mellow, slightly sweet and buttery taste. It is versatile and often used as a filling for sandwiches, as it melts well. It can also be sliced for paninis or sandwiches, or melted on a variety of dishes and cantaloupe.
The aged variant, Asiago d'Allevo, has a harder, crumbly texture and a bold, savoury flavour. It is often used in similar ways to Parmesan cheese, due to similarities in texture. It is frequently grated and used in salads, soups, pastas, and sauces.
Asiago Mezzano, or Middle Asiago, is a variety of Asiago d'Allevo that is aged for 4 to 6 months. It has a compact, straw-coloured texture and a sweetish taste with nutty and savoury undertones.
Asiago Vecchio, or Old Asiago, is an older variety of Asiago d'Allevo. It loses the sweetness of younger varieties and instead has a distinct bitterness, with nuttiness as the primary flavour note.
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Best before date
The best-before date on a package of Asiago cheese is not an expiry date. The cheese will typically remain safe to consume for about eight months if unopened and stored properly in the refrigerator, even if the "best-by" date on the package expires.
Properly stored Asiago cheese will last for about eight months in the refrigerator if unopened. To maximize shelf life, keep the cheese in its original packaging and do not open it until you are ready to use it. The refrigerator is the best place to store Asiago cheese, as it prolongs its shelf life. It is best to keep it in the vegetable drawer, where it is cooler and moisture levels are more controlled.
If you need to store Asiago cheese for longer than eight months, freezing is an option. Grate the cheese or cut it into small pieces and place it in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen Asiago cheese will maintain its best quality for about 12 to 18 months but will remain safe to consume beyond that time.
It is important to note that Asiago cheese can spoil even before the "best-before" date. Signs of spoilage include a rancid smell, visible mould, or discoloration. If mould appears on the cheese, cut away at least one inch around and below the mouldy area and re-cover the cheese in fresh wrap. However, if mould is present in shredded, sliced, or crumbled Asiago cheese, the entire package should be discarded.
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Frequently asked questions
An unopened chunk of Asiago cheese will last for about 8 months in the refrigerator.
Signs of spoilage include a rancid smell, visible mould, or discoloration. Crumbles of cheese that are dried out, chalky or have a sour smell should not be consumed.
Yes, for best results grate the Asiago cheese and place it inside an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, Asiago cheese will maintain its best quality in the freezer for about 12 to 18 months but will remain safe beyond that time.
