Bushra Griffith
Cheese is a beloved food item for many, but it can be tricky to know how long it lasts in the fridge. The shelf life of cheese depends on its moisture content, storage method, and type of cheese. Soft cheeses like ricotta, feta, and mozzarella have a high moisture content, making them more perishable, typically lasting only one to two weeks in the fridge. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have lower moisture content, extending their shelf life up to several months or even a year when stored in the fridge. Semi-hard cheeses such as Swiss cheese and Monterey Jack fall somewhere in between, with a shelf life of two to three weeks. Proper storage methods, such as wrapping cheese in wax or parchment paper, can help maintain moisture and prolong its freshness. While expiration dates on cheese products are often arbitrary, it's essential to inspect your cheese for signs of spoilage, such as mold, odd odors, or changes in texture, to ensure it's safe to consume.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | Depends on the type of cheese and storage method; hard cheeses have a longer shelf life than soft cheeses due to lower moisture content |
| Storage method | Store at a temperature below 40°F (4°C); wrap in wax, parchment, or cheese paper to maintain moisture; ensure proper airflow and protection from low humidity in the fridge |
| Best-by dates | Arbitrary, especially for aged cheese; not regulated in the US; inspect cheese for signs of spoilage regardless of the date |
| Signs of spoilage | Mould (except blue cheese), dark spots, sudden ballooning of packaging, odd odours, slimy texture, sour flavour, darkening, squashy spots |
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What You'll Learn
How to store cheese
Cheese is a perishable product, and its shelf life depends on its moisture content. Soft cheeses with higher moisture levels have a shorter shelf life, while hard cheeses with lower moisture levels will last longer.
Storing Cheese in the Fridge
The refrigerator is a great place to store cheese, but it needs to be stored properly. Cheese is alive and breathing, so it needs oxygen and humidity to stay fresh and tasty. It should be wrapped using wax, parchment, or cheese paper to help maintain its moisture. Avoid storing cheese in plastic wrap as it cuts off the air supply, which can suffocate the cheese and alter its flavour and texture. If you do buy cheese that has been packaged in plastic, check the date and unwrap it as soon as you get home.
Once opened, soft cheeses like ricotta, feta, and mozzarella will last in the fridge for around one week, while semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, Gruyère, and Monterey Jack will last for two to three weeks. Hard cheeses like aged cheddar, aged Gouda, and Parmigiano Reggiano will last the longest in the fridge, up to several months.
To ensure your cheese lasts as long as possible, remove it from its plastic packaging and wrap it loosely in a pliable yet breathable material like wax paper or cheese paper. Then, put the cheese in a container with an airtight lid. You can also store cheese in a resealable plastic bag, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing.
Storing Cheese in the Freezer
Some cheeses can be stored in the freezer, although this may affect their texture and flavour. Soft, unripened cheeses like mozzarella and chevre can be frozen for a few months, as can harder varieties with less moisture like cheddar and low-moisture mozzarella. Grated cheese also freezes well.
Checking for Spoilage
It's important to inspect your cheese regularly to make sure it's safe to eat, regardless of the best-by date. If you notice mould on hard cheese, simply cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the spot. White specks or crystallized patches on certain aged hard cheeses are normal and safe to eat. These are likely calcium lactate crystals, which form when the lactic acid in cheese combines with calcium.
If you find mould on soft cheese, crumbled, shredded, or sliced cheese, it's best to discard it. If the cheese has gone squashy, the package has ballooned, or it smells unpleasant, it should also be thrown out.
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Soft cheese
Some common types of soft cheeses include mozzarella, Havarti, Monterey jack, Brie, goat's cheese, feta, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and ricotta. Fresh cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese are highly perishable and usually last only a few weeks past their 'best by' date when stored in the refrigerator. Brie and other ripened cheeses can be kept at room temperature, as this allows them to display more of their natural flavour and texture. However, unripened soft cheeses like mozzarella and cream cheese should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours unless they will be entirely consumed.
It is important to practice proper hygiene and food safety techniques when handling soft cheeses, as they can be susceptible to foodborne illnesses. The most common trait of bad soft cheese is the growth of blue or green mould, at which point the entire cheese product should be discarded. Other signs of spoilage include an off smell, such as sour, rancid, or ammonia-like odours, or unusual textures. If you are unsure whether a soft cheese is still good to eat, it is generally safer not to consume it.
While soft cheeses can be frozen, it is not recommended as it can negatively affect their texture and consistency. Proper food storage of soft cheeses includes wrapping them in porous material like cheese or wax paper to prevent them from drying out and maintaining a safe fridge temperature of below 40°F (4°C).
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Hard cheese
Unopened hard cheeses can last for several months to a year when stored in the refrigerator, whereas opened hard cheeses typically last three to four weeks. To extend the shelf life, hard cheeses should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Additionally, the original wrapper or a tightly closed container can be used to keep out moisture and contaminants.
When inspecting hard cheeses for spoilage, look for signs such as a bad smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mould. If mould is present, it is generally safe to cut off the affected area and continue using the rest of the block. However, if the cheese develops an off taste or smell, or shows excessive mould, it is best to discard it.
White specks or crystallized patches on certain aged hard cheeses, such as Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda, are typically safe and are formed by the combination of lactic acid and calcium. These spots are not mould but calcium lactate crystals.
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Signs cheese has gone bad
Cheese is a perishable food, meaning it can spoil and harbour harmful bacteria. The signs of spoilage vary depending on the type of cheese, how it was stored, and what you're seeing or smelling. Here are some general indicators that your cheese has gone bad:
Mould Growth
Mould growth is one of the most common signs of cheese spoilage. If you notice any mould on soft cheeses, discard them immediately. Hard cheeses can tolerate some surface mould, and it is generally safe to cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the mouldy spots. However, if the mould is accompanied by other signs of spoilage, it is best to discard the cheese entirely.
Discolouration
A significant colour change in cheese can indicate spoilage. While it may not always mean that the cheese is unsafe to eat, its flavour and texture will likely be affected.
Texture Changes
Texture changes can also indicate that cheese has gone bad. This includes a slimy or greasy texture, cracking in hard cheeses, and the development of a gritty or grainy texture in soft washed rind cheeses.
Strong or Unusual Odour
A change in the smell of the cheese from its normal odour can be a sign of spoilage. A strong ammonia smell, similar to cleaning products or urine, is common in aged or washed rind cheeses that have gone bad. Cheeses that are naturally pungent, like blue cheese or Camembert, will also develop an ammonia smell when they spoil.
Best-Before and Expiration Dates
While not always accurate, best-before and expiration dates can provide guidance on cheese freshness. However, use your senses and the other indicators mentioned above to make a final judgement.
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Expiration dates
Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. Unopened, they can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge. However, once opened, most hard cheeses will only last 3-4 weeks.
Soft cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert, have a higher moisture content, making them more perishable. They typically last for a few weeks to a couple of months past their 'best by' date when refrigerated. Once opened, soft cheeses will only last 1-2 weeks in the fridge.
Semi-hard cheeses, such as Swiss cheese, also have a relatively long shelf life, often lasting several months past their 'best by' date when kept in the refrigerator unopened. With less moisture than soft cheese, they have a slightly longer shelf life of two to three weeks in the fridge once opened.
It's important to note that the shelf life of cheese can vary depending on how it's stored. Proper storage can dramatically extend the refrigerator life of cheese. Cheese should be stored at a temperature below 40°F (4°C) and wrapped using wax, parchment, or cheese paper after opening to help maintain its moisture.
Additionally, it's always recommended to inspect your cheese to ensure it's safe to eat, regardless of the expiration date or 'best by' date. Signs of spoilage include mould, odd odours, a slimy texture, or a sour flavour. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cheese does get old. The shelf life of cheese depends on its moisture content and storage method. Soft cheeses with higher moisture content are more perishable and have a shorter shelf life than harder cheeses with lower moisture content.
Soft cheeses like ricotta, feta, mozzarella, Brie, and Camembert can last in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks, while their prime quality and taste period is shorter. Semi-hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, and Monterey Jack, can last for 2-3 weeks. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda can last for several months, and even up to a year, when stored in the fridge.
Cheese can go bad before its best-by date due to quality control issues during manufacturing or improper storage. It's important to inspect your cheese and use your senses to check for signs of spoilage. Mould, odd odours, changes in texture (dry, crumbly, or slimy), and sour flavour are all signs that cheese has gone bad. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the cheese.
