Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a pungent, mouldy cheese that is loved and hated in equal measure. But how long does it last? Does it go bad if left sitting out? The short answer is yes, blue cheese can go bad if left sitting out for too long. The recommended guideline for all perishable foods is that they should not be left out for more than two hours. Blue cheese should be stored in the fridge, wrapped well, with some breathing room, and ideally in a freezer bag or airtight container.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Store in the fridge at a temperature between 46°F–55°F (8°C–13°C). |
| Packaging | Wrap well in wax paper, cheese paper, parchment paper, or aluminium foil. Place in a freezer bag or airtight container. |
| Expiry | Unopened blue cheese lasts for about one to two weeks beyond the printed expiry date. After opening, it retains the best quality for about 7 to 10 days but might keep for longer if well wrapped. |
| Leaving Out | Blue cheese should not be left out for more than two hours. If left out for two days or more, it is best to throw it away. |
| Spoilage | Signs of spoilage include an ammonia-like smell, discolouration of the creamy part of the cheese (pink, brown, yellow, green, grey, or black), and the presence of fuzzy mould. |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese should be refrigerated to keep it fresh, so if left out, it will spoil more quickly
- Blue cheese should not be left out for more than two hours
- Blue cheese should be wrapped well so that it doesn't dry out, but it should also be able to breathe
- Blue cheese should be stored in the fridge at a temperature between 46°F – 55°F (or 8°C – 13°C)
- If blue cheese has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled
Blue cheese should be refrigerated to keep it fresh, so if left out, it will spoil more quickly
Blue cheese is a pungent, semi-soft cheese with a distinct appearance and aroma. It is created using cultures of the mould Penicillium, which is safe to eat and gives the cheese its characteristic blue-grey to blue-green veins. While blue cheese is designed to be mouldy, it can still go bad and should be stored properly to maintain freshness and flavour.
To store blue cheese, it should be wrapped well to prevent drying out, while still allowing some ventilation. The original foil packaging can be used, or alternative options such as cheese wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper. Placing the wrapped cheese in a freezer bag or airtight container provides additional protection and helps prevent odour absorption and cross-contamination. It is important to ensure the cheese has some breathing room and that the bag or container is not sealed too tightly.
Blue cheese will typically remain fresh for about a week to ten days after opening, potentially longer if properly wrapped and not nearing its expiration date. An unopened package can last for up to two weeks beyond the printed date, and it will usually retain good quality for three to four weeks in the refrigerator. Freezing blue cheese is also an option, although it may become more crumbly and lose some flavour.
To determine if blue cheese has spoiled, use your senses. Fresh blue cheese has a strong, pungent odour, but as it begins to spoil, the ammonia-like smell will become more pronounced. The colour of the creamy part of the cheese is important to note; if it turns pink, green, brown, or yellow, it should be discarded. A change in texture, such as drying out or becoming crumbly, is another sign of spoilage. Ultimately, a small taste test can be performed, as spoiled blue cheese will have an overwhelmingly strong flavour.
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Blue cheese should not be left out for more than two hours
Blue cheese is a beloved variety of cheese, but it can be tricky to know when it's gone bad. The cheese is made with cultures of the mold Penicillium, which is perfectly safe to eat. The blue mold produces ammonia, which reduces the acidity of the cheese over time. This can cause other things to start growing on the cheese, causing it to spoil.
To keep your blue cheese fresh for as long as possible, it's important to store it properly. Blue cheese should be wrapped well and stored in the fridge. The ideal temperature for storing blue cheese is between 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C). This is slightly warmer than a typical refrigerator, so placing the cheese in the crisper drawer can help maintain the ideal temperature. It's also important to give the cheese some breathing room. You can wrap it in cheese paper, wax paper, or parchment paper, and then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container. Make sure not to squeeze out all the air before sealing the bag or container.
If you accidentally leave your blue cheese out for more than two hours, it's best to err on the side of caution and discard it. Blue cheese that has spoiled will typically have a strong ammonia-like smell, a discolored appearance, or a dry and crumbly texture. It's important to use your senses and judgment to determine if the cheese looks or smells off. If you're unsure, it's better to be safe and throw it away.
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Blue cheese should be wrapped well so that it doesn't dry out, but it should also be able to breathe
Blue cheese is a pungent and distinctive variety of cheese, and its storage and shelf life are important considerations. It is a perishable food, and as such, it should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours.
Blue cheese should be stored in the fridge, and it is important to ensure it is well-wrapped. This prevents the cheese from drying out and also helps to maintain its quality and flavour. The ideal temperature for storing blue cheese is between 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C). This is slightly warmer than a typical refrigerator, so consider storing the cheese in the crisper drawer.
When wrapping blue cheese, it is recommended to use cheese paper, wax paper, parchment paper, or aluminium foil. The cheese should be wrapped well but also allowed to breathe, so avoid squeezing out all the air before sealing it in a bag or container. Perforated wrappings can help achieve this balance. Additionally, the wrapping will help prevent cross-contamination and odour absorption, as blue cheese can easily absorb nearby odours.
To further extend the shelf life of blue cheese, it can be frozen. However, freezing may affect the texture and taste, making the cheese more crumbly. Therefore, it is advisable to use frozen blue cheese in cooked dishes rather than eating it straight after thawing.
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Blue cheese should be stored in the fridge at a temperature between 46°F – 55°F (or 8°C – 13°C)
Blue cheese is a pungent, semi-soft cheese with a distinct appearance and smell. It is made with cultures of the mold Penicillium, which is safe to eat. While blue cheese is supposed to have mold, it can still go bad.
To keep blue cheese fresh for as long as possible, it should be stored in the fridge at a temperature between 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C). The temperature in a typical fridge is usually a bit lower, so putting the cheese in the crisper drawer can help maintain the ideal temperature. Blue cheese should be wrapped well to prevent it from drying out, but it also needs some breathing room. You can use the foil it often comes in, or opt for cheese wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper, then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container. Don't squeeze out the extra air before sealing the container.
Blue cheese should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours, as it is perishable and will spoil more quickly than harder cheeses. If left out for longer than two days, it is best to throw it away.
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If blue cheese has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled
Blue cheese is made with cultures of the mold Penicillium and has a distinct, pungent scent. It's not to everyone's taste, but it's safe to eat. However, blue cheese can spoil, and knowing how to spot this is essential for food safety.
Blue cheese should be stored in the fridge, wrapped well to prevent it from drying out, with some breathing room. The ideal temperature for storing blue cheese is between 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C). It should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. If accidentally left out, it is best to discard the cheese if it has been two days or more.
The best way to determine if blue cheese has gone bad is by its smell. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but this changes as it spoils. If the cheese has an intense ammonia-like smell, it is likely spoiled. This ammonia-like smell is produced by the decomposition of nitrogen-containing proteins in the cheese as it spoils. If the cheese smells stale or like old socks, it has likely gone bad.
In addition to smell, the colour of blue cheese can indicate spoilage. The creamy part of the cheese, typically white or beige, may turn pink, brown, green, or yellow when it has gone bad. A change in texture, such as a slimy or fuzzy surface, is another sign of spoilage.
If blue cheese has an ammonia-like smell, it is best to discard it. While eating a small amount of spoiled blue cheese may not cause illness, it is essential to trust your senses and err on the side of caution when it comes to food safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese should not sit out for more than two hours. This is the guideline for all perishable foods.
Blue cheese will last for about a week to two weeks beyond the printed date on its label. After opening, it will retain the best quality for about 7 to 10 days but might keep for longer if it is well wrapped.
The best way to tell if your blue cheese has gone bad is to use your senses. If it has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled. If the creamy part of the cheese has turned pink, green, brown, or yellow, it has likely gone bad. If it looks dry, crumbly, and uneven in colour, it has probably passed its prime.
To keep blue cheese fresh for longer, store it in the fridge and ensure it is well wrapped. It is best to use it within three to five days of opening.
