Frederic Melton
Brie is a soft cheese with a creamy texture and a nutty, buttery taste. It is one of the most popular cheeses in the world due to its unique flavour and texture. But how long does it last? Brie has a shelf life of approximately one to two weeks in the refrigerator if it is unopened and stored properly. If stored at room temperature, it will last up to two weeks after opening. However, if stored in the refrigerator, it can last for another month. The longer Brie sits in cold conditions, the more moisture it loses, changing its consistency. To determine if Brie has gone bad, inspect the rind—if it shows signs of gray or flakiness, it has likely spoiled. A mild ammonia scent in Brie cheese is normal, but if the smell is overpowering, it has likely spoiled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | Brie cheese can last up to two weeks after opening if stored at room temperature. If refrigerated, it can last up to one month. |
| Storage | Brie should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper, or its original packaging, and then in plastic wrap for added protection. It should be stored in the back of the refrigerator, where the temperature and moisture are most consistent. |
| Freezing | Brie can be frozen for up to six months, but freezing may alter its texture. |
| Spoilage | Brie may spoil if not stored properly or at too high a temperature. Signs of spoilage include an overpowering ammonia smell, gray or flaky rind, or mold. |
| Mold | While most mold on cheese is edible, pink, slimy mold on Brie indicates that it should be discarded. |
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What You'll Learn
- Brie cheese can be left unopened for a long time, but it's best consumed within a specific timeframe
- Properly wrapping and storing Brie cheese can extend its shelf life
- Brie cheese can be frozen, but it may affect its texture
- Brie cheese that has gone bad will have a strong ammonia smell and discoloured rind
- Brie cheese is best served at room temperature, but it can be refrigerated to extend its shelf life
Brie cheese can be left unopened for a long time, but it's best consumed within a specific timeframe
Brie cheese is a soft cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery taste. Its soft texture means it has a shorter shelf life than harder cheeses. When unopened, it can be stored for a long time, especially if it is kept in the fridge. However, its flavour and texture will continue to mature and ripen, and the rind may turn brown.
If unopened, brie cheese can be stored for several weeks or months past its expiration date. One source suggests that eating brie cheese a few days or weeks past its expiration date should not be a problem, especially if it has been stored in the fridge. Another source states that the cheese can be eaten six months or more after its expiration date. However, it is important to note that the longer brie cheese is stored, the more its flavour and texture will change.
Once opened, brie cheese should be consumed within one to two weeks. This is because soft cheeses tend to go bad more quickly than harder cheeses. To maximise its freshness, brie cheese should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper, or its original packaging, and then in plastic wrap for added protection. It should be stored in the refrigerator, preferably in the cheese drawer, where it will stay fresh for about five to seven days.
There are several signs to look out for to determine if brie cheese has gone bad. Firstly, the rind should appear mostly white and powdery, and only a few darker spots are acceptable. If there is any mould on the cheese, it should be discarded immediately as it is not safe to eat. Additionally, if the cheese has an overpowering ammonia smell, it has likely spoiled and should not be consumed.
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Properly wrapping and storing Brie cheese can extend its shelf life
Firstly, it is important to note that Brie should not be wrapped in plastic or Saran wrap. The fats in the cheese can react with the plastic, causing an unpleasant taste to develop. Instead, Brie should be wrapped in wax or parchment paper, or its original packaging. This will ensure the cheese can breathe and prevent it from drying out. Then, the packaging can be wrapped in plastic wrap for added protection.
Secondly, the wrapped Brie should be stored in the refrigerator, preferably at the back where the temperature and moisture levels are most consistent. A refrigerator's cheese drawer is also a good place for storing Brie. The cheese will last for about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator if it is properly stored. If kept at room temperature, it will only last up to two weeks.
If you wish to keep Brie for longer, it can be frozen for up to six months. However, freezing can change the texture of the cheese, so it is best used in cooked dishes rather than eaten on its own.
Finally, it is important to regularly check your Brie for signs of spoilage. The rind should appear mostly white and powdery, and a mild ammonia scent is normal. However, if the rind becomes grey or flaky, or the ammonia smell is overpowering, the cheese should be discarded.
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Brie cheese can be frozen, but it may affect its texture
Unopened brie cheese can last for at least a month in the fridge. However, once opened, it is recommended to consume it within a week to 10 days. Brie cheese can be frozen, but its high water content makes it susceptible to damage by ice crystals, which can negatively affect its texture. To minimise this, it is recommended to freeze brie when it is ripe, just as it starts to get gooey, rather than when it is fully oozing. Slicing the cheese before freezing can also help to minimise damage and make it easier to get out the desired amount for use.
When freezing brie, it is important to ensure it is wrapped properly to keep it airtight. One method is to wrap the cheese in wax paper, then aluminium foil, and use a vacuum sealer. Another method is to double-wrap the cheese in plastic food wrap, then foil, and place it in a freezer bag. It is important to note that once thawed, brie cheese cannot be refrozen. The texture of the cheese may also change, becoming drier and more crumbly, but the distinctive taste should remain.
Freezing brie is recommended for cooking rather than serving on a cheeseboard. It can be added to dishes such as mac and cheese, pizza, nachos, casseroles, or baked goods. Freezing can also be used to prolong the shelf life of brie, preventing it from ripening further. However, it is important to consider the potential impact on texture when deciding whether to freeze brie cheese.
To maintain the quality of brie cheese, it is recommended to store it in the fridge and consume it within a few weeks. Proper wrapping is essential, with cheese paper, foil, or parchment paper being better options than plastic wrap, which can cause a stale, plastic-like flavour to develop. The cheese should be kept wrapped in the original packaging or specialised cheese paper, which allows it to breathe and prevents drying out.
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Brie cheese that has gone bad will have a strong ammonia smell and discoloured rind
Brie cheese is a soft cheese with a short shelf life compared to hard cheeses. It can go bad very quickly if stored improperly or at too high a temperature. If unopened, it can be kept at room temperature and will last up to two weeks. If refrigerated, it can last about a month. However, the longer Brie sits in cold conditions, the more moisture it loses, changing its consistency.
Brie cheese that has gone bad will have a strong ammonia smell and a discoloured rind. The rind of Brie, a soft-ripened cheese, will start to look brownish as it ages and will develop an ammonia smell if it is too old. A mild ammonia scent in Brie cheese is normal, especially in aged Brie, as cheese produces ammonia as a byproduct during aging. However, if the ammonia smell is overpowering, it is an indication that the Brie has spoiled and should not be consumed.
The rind of the Brie cheese should appear mostly white and powdery. If it shows signs of gray or flakiness, it has likely started to spoil. A few darker spots are acceptable, but the cheese should be discarded if there is mould. While the mould on the rind of a soft-ripened cheese like Brie is natural, edible, and part of the aging process, mould on the cut surface of the cheese indicates that it has gone bad. If mould develops on the cut surface, it can be trimmed away, and the rest of the cheese can still be enjoyed.
If Brie cheese is stored in the refrigerator, it typically stays fresh for about 5-7 days if properly stored. It can be stored for 1-2 weeks after opening if wrapped in parchment or wax paper or its original packaging to prevent the plastic from affecting its taste, and then wrapped in plastic wrap for added protection. It should be placed in the back of the refrigerator, where the temperature and moisture are most consistent. If Brie cheese is not stored in a proper airtight container or wrapped properly, it can spoil, even in the refrigerator.
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Brie cheese is best served at room temperature, but it can be refrigerated to extend its shelf life
Brie cheese is a soft cheese with a creamy texture and a nutty, buttery taste. It is best enjoyed at room temperature, but it can be stored in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. Soft cheeses like Brie tend to have shorter shelf lives than harder cheeses and can go bad quickly if not stored properly.
When stored in the refrigerator, Brie cheese can last for about one to two weeks after opening. To ensure optimal freshness, it should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper, or its original packaging, and then covered in plastic wrap for added protection. The cheese should then be placed in the back of the refrigerator, where the temperature is most consistent, or in a dedicated cheese drawer.
If Brie cheese is not properly wrapped or stored in an airtight container, it can spoil more quickly. After opening, Brie cheese will typically stay fresh in the refrigerator for about five to seven days when properly stored. It is important to note that consuming Brie past its expiration date is not recommended as it may lead to food poisoning or an unpleasant taste.
However, if Brie cheese is stored at room temperature, it can last for up to two weeks after opening. It is recommended to take the cheese out of the fridge about an hour before serving to achieve the ideal creamy texture. While Brie cheese can be kept at room temperature for a shorter period, refrigeration helps extend its shelf life by slowing down the maturation process, which can alter its taste and texture over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Unopened Brie cheese lasts for months and can go up to a year, depending on the manufacturer.
Brie cheese can be left unrefrigerated for around 4 hours without going bad. In extreme heat and humidity, it is recommended to not leave the cheese unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours.
Once opened, Brie cheese typically stays fresh in the refrigerator for about 1 to 2 weeks if properly stored.
To store opened Brie cheese, wrap it in parchment or wax paper, or use its original packaging. Then, wrap the packaging with plastic wrap for added protection. Place the wrapped Brie in the back of your refrigerator, where the temperature is most consistent.
To determine if Brie cheese has gone bad, inspect the rind and its smell. The rind should appear mostly white and powdery. If it shows signs of gray or flakiness, the cheese has likely started to spoil. A mild ammonia scent in Brie cheese is normal, but if the ammonia smell is overpowering, it might be an indication that the Brie has spoiled.
