Andy Montoya
Camembert cheese is a soft-ripened cheese with a creamy texture and a strong smell. It is made by spraying the mould Penicillium camemberti and/or Geotrichum candidum. While Camembert has a high moisture content that can spoil its quality, proper storage can extend its shelf life. Some sources suggest storing it at room temperature in its original packaging, while others recommend refrigeration, with a shelf life of 1-2 weeks. Freezing Camembert is also an option, but it may affect its texture and taste when consumed individually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Store in its wrapper, in the box, under a glass globe, at room temperature |
| Refrigeration | Not recommended; can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 weeks |
| Freezing | Can be frozen for 6 months; loses quality and becomes crumbly |
| Texture | If it has gone bad, it will develop a hard texture around the corners |
| Colour | May get darker in colour |
| Smell | An off smell is an indication of spoilage; a strong smell is desirable, but an ammonia smell is not |
| Mould | If mould appears that was not part of the manufacturing process, throw it away |
| Expiry | Should be eaten fairly rapidly, otherwise it ages and develops an odour |
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Storage conditions
The storage conditions for Camembert cheese depend on the cheese's state, i.e., whether it is opened or unopened.
Unopened Camembert Cheese
Unopened Camembert cheese should be stored in its original packaging, in its box, and under a glass dome at room temperature. It is not advisable to store unopened Camembert in the refrigerator as it traps the ammonia smell in the cheese. However, if you live in a hot climate, it is better to store the cheese in the fridge to prevent it from spoiling.
Opened Camembert Cheese
Once the Camembert cheese is opened, it should be wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and stored in the refrigerator. For better results, wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper before covering it with plastic wrap. Properly stored, opened Camembert cheese will last 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Freezing Camembert Cheese
Camembert cheese can also be frozen to extend its shelf life. To freeze a block of Camembert cheese, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen Camembert cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months but will remain safe to consume beyond that. However, freezing affects the cheese's texture and taste, making it crumbly and less flavourful. Therefore, it is best suited for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, and casseroles.
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Shelf life
The shelf life of Camembert cheese depends on storage conditions. It is best to keep the cheese refrigerated at all times and to maximise shelf life, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
When stored in the refrigerator, Camembert cheese will last 1 to 2 weeks. If you want to extend the shelf life of Camembert cheese, you can freeze it. To do this, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen in this way, Camembert will maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but it will remain safe to eat beyond that.
Camembert cheese can also be stored at room temperature. However, it does not store well once opened (or even before) and is supposed to be eaten fairly quickly. If you are storing Camembert at room temperature, it should be kept in its wrapper, in its box, usually under a glass globe.
You can tell if Camembert cheese has gone bad by checking its texture, colour, smell, and mould appearance. If there is any mould that was not part of the normal manufacturing process, it should be discarded. If the cheese has developed a hard texture around the corners or has darkened in colour, it is not safe to eat. An off smell is also an indication that the cheese has spoiled.
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Freezing Camembert
Camembert is a soft cheese, and soft cheeses do not freeze well. They change in texture and taste, becoming crumbly and losing some of their flavour. However, if you wish to freeze Camembert, perhaps to reduce waste, it can be done.
Firstly, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. Then, wrap the cheese tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Ensure that all excess air has been squeezed out, and then place the cheese in an airtight container to avoid freezer burn. If you have a vacuum sealer, this is useful for freezing cheese. The tight wrapping is also essential to protect the cheese from the cold air of the freezer.
Properly stored, Camembert will maintain its best quality for about six months in the freezer, but it will remain safe beyond that time. Camembert that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
When you come to use your frozen Camembert, it is best suited to cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, casseroles, mac and cheese, quiche, baked noodle dishes, and grilled cheese.
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Signs of spoilage
Camembert cheese is a soft white mould cheese with a creamy texture and a rich flavour. It typically has a shelf life of one to three weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator. However, it can go bad, and it's important to look out for signs of spoilage to avoid potential health risks.
Discolouration:
Camembert cheese should have a uniform white to off-white surface. Discolouration, such as darkening or yellowing, especially around the edges, can indicate spoilage. This may also appear as patches that differ from the cheese's natural colour.
Mould Growth:
While Camembert naturally develops a white mould on its rind, the presence of additional mould in different colours, such as green, black, or blue, indicates spoilage. Any mould that grows in an unusual pattern or colour should be treated with caution and discarded.
Texture Changes:
Camembert cheese is known for its creamy texture. If it becomes hard, gritty, or develops a slimy texture, it has likely spoiled.
Unpleasant Odour:
Fresh Camembert has a distinctive but not unpleasant scent that may be slightly earthy or mushroom-like. Spoiled Camembert often emits a strong, offensive, or ammonia-like smell, indicating bacterial overgrowth.
Bitter or Sour Taste:
A bitter or sour taste can be a sign of spoilage. If the cheese tastes unpleasant or too strong, it is best to discard it.
To prolong the shelf life of Camembert cheese, proper storage is essential. It should be refrigerated at temperatures between 35°F (2°C) and 45°F (7°C). Storing it at room temperature or exposing it to rapid temperature fluctuations can accelerate spoilage and negatively impact its texture and flavour.
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Health risks
Camembert is a soft, creamy French cheese with a strong flavour and aroma. It is made from cow's milk and has a minimum milk fat percentage of 45%. While Camembert can be stored in the refrigerator, it is best stored in its original packaging at room temperature.
Camembert is a high-protein, high-fat food with moderate amounts of cholesterol. While the cholesterol in cheese may not significantly impact blood cholesterol levels in most people, it is important to consume Camembert in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Those with normal cholesterol levels are unlikely to experience health concerns from moderate consumption.
For those with lactose intolerance, Camembert can be a more tolerable cheese option. However, it is important to note that food safety authorities in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States advise against consuming soft white mould cheeses like Camembert during pregnancy due to the risk of listeriosis.
Camembert is also at high risk of contamination by environmental pathogens, particularly during the ripening process due to open-air exposure. This contamination can include Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems.
To minimise the risk of foodborne illness, it is important to store Camembert properly. When stored in the refrigerator, Camembert will last 1 to 2 weeks. If freezing, cut the cheese into portions no larger than 1/2 pound each and wrap tightly in heavy-duty foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, frozen Camembert will maintain its best quality for about 6 months but will remain safe beyond that time.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to store Camembert cheese in its original packaging, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil, and then stored in the refrigerator. It can last 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can store Camembert cheese in the freezer. To do so, cut the cheese into portions no larger than 1/2 pound each, and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, it will maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but it remains safe to consume beyond this period.
Camembert cheese that has gone bad will typically develop a hard texture around the corners and may get darker in colour. If it gives off an off-smell, it is an indication of spoilage. If there is any mould that was not part of the normal manufacturing process, discard the cheese entirely.
