Blue Cheese: Does It Age Like Fine Wine?

Blue cheese is a type of cheese with a strong smell and flavour that varies from sweet to acrid. It is made using a type of mould called Penicillium, which is responsible for its distinct taste, smell, and appearance. Blue cheese can last a long time depending on how it is stored, but does it ever truly go bad? Well, yes. Blue cheese can go bad if it is not stored properly. If stored properly, it can last 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator or indefinitely in the freezer. However, freezing may alter its texture and appearance. To tell if blue cheese has gone bad, look out for mould that is grey, fuzzy, black, or yeast that is pink or yellow. You can also smell it—if it has an ammonia-like scent, it is probably spoiled.

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Blue cheese can last a long time if stored correctly

Blue cheese is a pungent and distinctive variety of cheese, with a strong smell and flavour. It is made with a type of mould called Penicillium, which is safe to eat and gives the cheese its unique characteristics.

If you have too much blue cheese to get through in a few weeks, you can freeze it. Frozen blue cheese can last indefinitely, although its texture and appearance may be altered slightly. It is recommended that you cut the cheese into pieces no larger than half a pound each before freezing.

To determine whether blue cheese has gone bad, you can use your senses. Firstly, look for any fuzzy, slimy, or discoloured patches, particularly in shades of grey, pink, yellow, or green. Then, smell the cheese. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but if it has turned bad, it will smell like ammonia. Finally, if it looks and smells okay, you can taste a small amount. If the flavour is too strong, it has likely gone bad. However, it is unlikely that eating a small amount of spoiled blue cheese will make you sick.

How to tell if blue cheese has gone bad

Blue cheese is a type of cheese with a strong smell and distinct flavour. It is made using Penicillium, a type of edible mould. While blue cheese can last a long time, it can go bad if not stored properly. Here are some ways to tell if blue cheese has gone bad:

Check the smell

The best way to tell if your blue cheese has spoiled is to smell it. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but it changes as it starts to go bad. Give the cheese a sniff, and if it has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled.

Observe the colour

Look out for mould that is grey, fuzzy, black, or yeast—shiny, pink, yellow clusters. Fresh blue cheese already has blue or green mould in it, but you want to pay attention to the colour of the creamy part of the cheese.

Examine the texture

If your blue cheese has developed a slimy texture, it is likely to have gone bad.

Taste it

If your blue cheese still smells the same and hasn't changed colour, you can usually tell if it's gone bad by giving it a taste. Fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste, but old cheese becomes especially biting when it starts to spoil. If you taste a bit of the blue cheese and it's too strong to enjoy, you should throw it away.

Check the storage conditions

Blue cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped, at a temperature not set above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If stored properly, blue cheese can last 3–4 weeks in the refrigerator. Unopened blue cheese comes with a shelf life of one to six months, depending on its packaging, and it usually retains quality for a couple of extra weeks. Once the package is opened, finish the cheese within three to four weeks.

Blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life

Blue cheese is a beloved variety of cheese with a strong scent and flavour, but it can be difficult to get through a whole block before it starts to spoil. Luckily, blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life.

Blue cheese is made with cultures of the mould Penicillium, which is perfectly safe to eat. However, blue cheese can still go bad like any other cheese, and knowing how to spot this is important for food safety. The best way to tell if your blue cheese has spoiled is to smell it. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but it changes as the cheese starts to go bad. If the cheese has developed an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled. Another way to tell is to consider the colour of the cheese. Fresh blue cheese already has blue or green mould in it, but you want to pay attention to the colour of the creamy part of the cheese. If this has changed, it may be a sign that the cheese is going bad. You can also taste a small amount of the cheese – if it is too strong to enjoy, you should throw it away.

Blue cheese can be kept in the fridge for 3–4 weeks after opening. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze it. Freezing blue cheese is a good option if you don't plan on using it within the month. It is recommended to cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each before freezing. You can then wrap the cheese tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, blue cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months in the freezer, but it will remain safe to eat beyond that time. It is important to note that the taste and texture of blue cheese can change slightly when it is thawed – it may lose some of its sharp flavour and crumble more easily. Frozen blue cheese is best suited to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups and casseroles.

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Blue cheese is made using mould cultures

The process of making blue cheese begins with curdling. Once the curds have been ladled into containers, they are drained and formed into wheels of cheese. The Penicillium roqueforti inoculum is then sprinkled on top of the curds, along with Brevibacterium linens. Brevibacterium linens is the bacteria responsible for foot and body odour. The curds are then formed into cheese loaves with a relatively open texture, and whey drainage continues for 10 to 48 hours. The moulds are inverted frequently to promote whey drainage.

Salt is added to the cheese to provide flavour and act as a preservative. The cheese is then aged to develop its flavour, which usually takes 60 to 90 days. The blue mould further breaks down fatty acids to form ketones, giving blue cheese its rich flavour and aroma. The longer the cheese is aged, the stronger its flavour becomes.

Blue cheese can be made from cow, goat, sheep, or even buffalo milk, and the milk may be raw or pasteurised. The diet of the animals and the location where they graze can also affect the outcome of the cheese. The cheesemaker can also influence the final product through the amount of piercing, the ripening process, and any additional treatments applied during the development of the cheese.

Blue cheese can be safe to eat even if it's gone off

Blue cheese is a beloved and divisive food item, with its pungent odor and sharp taste. It is made with cultures of the mold Penicillium, which is perfectly safe to eat and gives blue cheese its distinctive taste. However, blue cheese can go bad, and knowing how to spot this is important for food safety.

Blue cheese can be safe to eat even if it has gone off. The mold in blue cheese is typically blue or green and is safe for consumption. However, if you notice any discolouration, such as fuzzy, grey-black mold spots, or glistening yellow areas, it's best to discard the cheese. Additionally, if the cheese has an ammonia-like smell, it has likely spoiled and should be thrown away.

The shelf life of unopened blue cheese can range from one to six months, depending on its packaging. Once opened, it is recommended to finish the cheese within three to four weeks. If you plan on storing blue cheese for a more extended period, freezing is an option. Cut the cheese into pieces no larger than half a pound each and store them in the freezer. However, freezing may alter the taste and texture of the cheese, so it is best to consume it within six months.

To extend the freshness of blue cheese, proper storage is crucial. Avoid using plastic wrap as it can negatively affect the taste. Instead, opt for cheese paper or specialised blue cheese wrap, which has a waxy cheese paper layer inside and a foil layer outside for sealing. Ensure the cheese is fully wrapped and sealed to prevent oxygen from speeding up the spoilage process.

While blue cheese can be safe to eat even if it has gone off, it is essential to use your judgment and consider multiple factors. If the cheese has an unusual smell, discolouration, or mold that you cannot identify, it is best to discard it. Remember, softness can indicate low acidity, making the cheese less safe to consume. Additionally, if you have consumed blue cheese that you suspect has spoiled and start to feel unwell, consult a doctor.

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