Bushra Griffith
Cougar Gold cheese is a white, sharp cheddar cheese produced by the Washington State University Creamery and packaged in distinctive tin cans. The cheese is renowned for its rich flavour and creamy texture, with nutty undertones. The canning process removes excess air, creating a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth and prolongs the shelf life of the cheese. When unopened and refrigerated, Cougar Gold cheese will last indefinitely, with its flavour becoming more intense over time. However, once opened, the cheese is perishable and should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in wax paper. Properly aged Cougar Gold cheese tends to have a longer shelf life compared to younger varieties, but it is still susceptible to spoilage over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Cougar Gold cheese comes in distinctive tin cans |
| Canning Process | Removes excess air, creating a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth |
| Storage | Should be stored in the refrigerator |
| Shelf Life | Unopened cans last indefinitely |
| Spoilage | May develop a slimy or gritty texture, indicating bacterial contamination |
| Signs of Spoilage | Sour, ammonia-like odors and excessive mold growth |
| Flavor | Becomes more flavorful, sharp, dry, and crumbly with age |
| Texture | Becomes more crumbly with age |
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What You'll Learn
Cougar Gold cheese lasts indefinitely if unopened and refrigerated
Cougar Gold cheese is a white, sharp cheddar cheese produced by the Washington State University Creamery since 1941. It is packaged in distinctive tin cans, which help preserve its freshness. The canning process removes excess air, creating a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth.
Proper storage is crucial for prolonging the shelf life of Cougar Gold cheese. The cheese should be stored unopened in a refrigerator at temperatures of 37° to 40° F. It should not be stored in a wine cooler, cellar, garage, basement, pantry, freezer, or other locations with inconsistent or extreme temperatures. High temperatures may cause the butterfat and whey to separate from the cheese, altering its texture and quality, although the cheese would still be edible.
Cougar Gold cheese lasts indefinitely if it remains unopened and refrigerated. The cheese becomes more flavorful, sharp, dry, and crumbly with age, and unlike other varieties, it does not develop a bitter aftertaste. Some customers have stored their Cougar Gold for over 30 years.
Once the can is opened, the cheese is subject to spoilage and should be handled similarly to other store-bought cheese. Signs of spoilage include sour, ammonia-like odors, a slimy or gritty texture, and excessive mold growth.
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Once opened, it lasts similar to other store-bought cheese
Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar cheese that is aged for at least a year before being sold. It is unique in that it is canned and produced by Washington State University Creamery. The canning process prolongs the ageing process as there are no external contaminants and limited oxygen for bacteria to grow. As long as the cheese is unopened and refrigerated, it will last indefinitely.
Once opened, the cheese should be removed from the can and stored in the fridge. At this point, it will last as long as any other cheddar cheese, about 4-6 weeks, depending on how it is handled and stored. The USDA recommends cutting off at least one inch around and below any mould spots, then re-covering the cheese in fresh wrap.
To maintain the quality of the cheese, it should not be stored in the can once opened, as rust and/or a black film may develop. Additionally, high temperatures may cause the butterfat and whey to separate from the cheese, changing the texture and quality. However, the cheese would still be edible.
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It's produced by the Washington State University Creamery
Cougar Gold® is a sharp white cheddar cheese produced at Washington State University (WSU) Creamery in Pullman, Washington. The cheese is aged for at least a year and is sold exclusively in 30-ounce (850-gram) tin cans. Cougar Gold is unique in that it is canned, which gives it an indefinite shelf life as long as it remains unopened and refrigerated.
The WSU Creamery began canning cheese in the 1940s with funding from the US government and the American Can Company. The goal was to find a way to successfully preserve cheese in tins, and Cougar Gold was developed during this time. The cheese was named after Norman S. Golding, who was involved in its production. The tradition of canning cheese at WSU Creamery continues to this day, with around 250,000 cans of Cougar Cheese produced annually, of which Cougar Gold accounts for about 80%.
The cheese is made with cow's milk from a herd of Holstein cows. It has a nutty flavor resembling Swiss or Gouda cheese. As the cheese ages, it becomes more flavorful, sharp, dry, and crumbly. The aging process also results in the formation of crystals, which are composed of the amino acid tyrosine. These characteristics are considered desirable in well-aged cheese.
The canning process prolongs the aging of the cheese by excluding external contaminants and limiting oxygen, which slows bacterial growth. Properly stored in the refrigerator, Cougar Gold will continue to develop flavor over time. However, once the can is opened, the cheese should be consumed within a reasonable period, similar to other store-bought cheeses.
The WSU Creamery produces eight different flavors of cheese, including Cougar Gold, Natural Cheddar, Smoky Cheddar, Viking, Dill Garlic, Sweet Basil, Hot Pepper, and Crimson Fire. Purchasing cheese from the WSU Creamery supports student employees by providing competitive wages and valuable work experience. A portion of the revenue is also used for educational support for Food Science students.
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It's packaged in a can, but it's not processed
Cougar Gold cheese is packaged in a can, but it is not processed. The canning process and packaging preserve the cheese and extend its shelf life. The cheese is produced by the Washington State University Creamery and has been made since 1941. It is a white, sharp cheddar cheese with a rich, nutty flavour and a creamy texture.
The canning process removes excess air, creating a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth and prevents contamination. This extends the shelf life of the cheese, which would normally be susceptible to spoilage over time as a perishable food item. As long as the cheese is unopened and refrigerated, it will last indefinitely. The cheese becomes more flavourful, sharp, dry, and crumbly with age.
However, once the can is opened, the cheese must be transferred to an airtight container or wrapped tightly in wax paper to maintain its quality. When exposed to air, Cougar Gold cheese has a similar shelf life to other store-bought cheeses. Properly aged cheese tends to have a longer shelf life compared to younger varieties.
While the canning process prolongs the shelf life of Cougar Gold cheese, it is still susceptible to spoilage. Signs of spoilage include sour, ammonia-like odours, a slimy or gritty texture, and excessive mould growth. Proper storage and handling are crucial for prolonging the shelf life of Cougar Gold cheese and preventing spoilage.
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Signs of spoilage include a slimy or gritty texture
Cougar Gold cheese is renowned for its rich flavour and creamy texture. However, like all dairy products, it is subject to spoilage over time.
To prevent spoilage, Cougar Gold cheese should be stored in the refrigerator. It can be transported for short periods without refrigeration, but it should be refrigerated upon arrival. Refrigerator temperatures should be maintained between 37° and 40° F. Storing the cheese in a wine cooler, cellar, garage, basement, pantry, or freezer is not recommended, as the temperatures may be inconsistent or too warm or cold. High temperatures may cause the butterfat and whey to separate from the cheese, changing the texture and quality.
The canning process of Cougar Gold cheese removes excess air, creating a vacuum seal that inhibits bacterial growth. As long as the cheese is unopened and refrigerated, it will last indefinitely. Once opened, the cheese should be transferred to an airtight container or wrapped tightly in wax paper to maintain its quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Like all perishable food items, Cougar Gold cheese is subject to spoilage over time. However, with proper storage and handling, its shelf life can be extended.
As long as it is refrigerated, unopened Cougar Gold cheese will last indefinitely. The cheese becomes more flavorful, sharp, dry, and crumbly with age.
Fresh Cougar Gold cheese has a pleasant, nutty aroma. If you detect any sour, ammonia-like odors, it’s a sign that the cheese has gone bad. Spoiled cheese may also develop a slimy or gritty texture, indicating bacterial contamination.
