Frederic Melton
Crumbled goat cheese, also known as Chevre, is a versatile ingredient used in sweet and savoury dishes. It has a distinctive earthy flavour and a creamy, velvety texture. But how do you know if your goat cheese has gone bad? Well, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for. Firstly, always trust your nose. Goat cheese has a signature funk, so if it smells sharp, sour, or rancid, it's probably gone off. You might also notice a slimy texture or the presence of mould, which can be dangerous. To prevent your goat cheese from spoiling, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature of 40°F or lower.
Characteristics of 'does crumbled goat cheese go bad'
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Store in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature of 40°F or lower |
| Packaging | Keep the package unopened until ready to use; transfer opened cheese to an airtight container |
| Wrapping | Wrap tightly in parchment paper, then in loose plastic wrap; do not use aluminum foil |
| Shelf Life | Unopened package lasts about 1 week after "Sell By" or "Best By" date; discard if left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours |
| Freezing | Freeze before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed to extend shelf life |
| Signs of Spoilage | Mould growth, strong sour/rancid/acrid smell, compromised texture (excessively hard, crumbly, or slimy), bacterial film, yellowing, tough crust |
| Exceptions | White mould from Brie is not dangerous |
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What You'll Learn
How to store crumbled goat cheese
Crumbled goat cheese is a versatile ingredient commonly used in savoury and sweet dishes. It is important to store it properly to extend its shelf life and prevent it from going bad. Here are some detailed and direct instructions on how to store crumbled goat cheese:
Firstly, it is crucial to always store crumbled goat cheese in the refrigerator to maintain its optimum temperature. The ideal temperature for storing goat cheese is between 4°C and 10°C, which can be achieved in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. This temperature range mimics the conditions of a cave, the perfect natural storage location for cheese.
To protect the cheese from odours and maintain its flavour, wrap it correctly before placing it in the refrigerator. You can use parchment paper, then a loose layer of plastic wrap to allow the cheese to breathe while retaining moisture. Avoid using aluminium foil as it may impart a metallic taste to the cheese. Additionally, transferring the cheese to an airtight container will help prevent it from drying out and mixing with other food odours.
If you have purchased well-aged goat cheese, you can store it in the middle of your refrigerator, where the temperature is slightly lower, between 4°C and 6°C. On the other hand, if you want to halt the ripening process of fresh goat cheese, opt for the top of the refrigerator, where temperatures range from 0°C to 4°C.
It is worth noting that freezing is not recommended for fresh or ripened goat cheese as it can alter their texture and flavour. However, dry and semi-hard goat cheeses can withstand freezing and thawing. If you choose to freeze your goat cheese, ensure it is wrapped properly and placed in an airtight container, preferably glass, to prevent odour absorption.
By following these storage instructions, you can prolong the shelf life of your crumbled goat cheese and enjoy its distinctive flavour and aroma in various dishes.
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Signs of spoilage
Goat cheese crumbles typically give off clues when they've gone bad. Firstly, look for visual signs such as mould growth. Any type of mould on goat cheese is a clear indicator that the cheese is no longer safe to consume, except for the white mould from Brie, which can linger in your cheese drawer and colonise your goat cheese or other cheeses without being harmful.
Pink mould is a particularly bad sign, as it tends to invade the interior of the cheese as well. Blue or green mould is also a bad sign unless it is a blue cheese, as these types of cheese use specific moulds that are known to be safe. A bacterial film, which appears as a thin layer of clammy, slimy fluid that adheres to the surface of the goat cheese, is another visual sign of spoilage.
A strong sour or rancid smell is another tell-tale sign that goat cheese has gone bad. Goat cheese has a distinctive "funk" that sets it apart from other cheeses, so it can be tricky to know when it has gone off. If your goat cheese takes on a sharp or acrid smell, it's probably gone bad. You may even detect a nostril-searing ammonia note, which is a clear sign of spoilage.
Lastly, if the texture of the goat cheese has been compromised and is either excessively hard, crumbly, or slimy, it's best to toss the cheese. Goat cheese that has dried out in the fridge may develop a yellow appearance and a tough crust on the outside.
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Bacterial film
The formation of bacterial film is a result of bacterial growth on the cheese's surface. Goat cheese, especially the fresh and soft variety, is highly susceptible to bacterial contamination. This contamination can occur during production, handling, or storage. Improper sealing, exposure to ambient temperatures, and inadequate refrigeration can all contribute to bacterial growth.
To prevent the growth of bacteria and the formation of bacterial film, it is essential to follow proper storage practices. Goat cheese should be kept refrigerated at a temperature between 35°F and 40°F (1.6°C to 4.4°C). It is best to use the original packaging or re-wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper. Plastic wrap should be avoided as it traps moisture, promoting bacterial growth and accelerating spoilage.
Additionally, it is crucial to maintain a consistent refrigerator temperature. Significant temperature fluctuations can negatively impact the quality of the cheese and create favourable conditions for bacterial growth. By adhering to these storage guidelines, you can help prevent the formation of bacterial film and extend the shelf life of your goat cheese.
While bacterial film is a significant concern, it is not the only indicator of spoilage in goat cheese. Other signs of spoilage include changes in smell, texture, and the presence of mould. A sharp, acrid, or ammonia-like odour indicates that the cheese has likely spoiled. Similarly, a slimy, overly dry, or crumbly texture can signify bacterial contamination. In terms of mould, while some types of cheese use specific moulds that are safe for consumption, the presence of mould on goat cheese generally indicates spoilage. Therefore, it is recommended to discard the cheese if mould is visible.
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Goat cheese moulds
Goat cheese, also known as Chevre, is a soft goat cheese made from goat's milk. It has a distinctive earthy flavour and a smooth, velvety texture. While it is a versatile ingredient, one of the challenges of using goat cheese is understanding when it has gone bad.
Goat cheese crumbles typically give off clues when they have gone bad. Firstly, look for visual signs such as mould growth—a clear indicator that the cheese is no longer safe to consume. Some moulds produce nasty toxins, and only specific moulds used in blue cheese are known to be safe. If you see any other colour of mould on your goat cheese, discard it.
Pink mould is a type of mould that tends to invade the interior of the cheese and is particularly harmful. If you see any pink mould on your goat cheese, throw it away. Additionally, be cautious of bacterial film, a thin layer of clammy, slimy fluid that can adhere to the surface of the cheese and pool in the packaging. If you notice this, discard the cheese immediately.
Another tell-tale sign of spoilage is a strong sour or rancid smell. Goat cheese naturally has a distinctive "funk," so it can be challenging to determine when the smell indicates spoilage. However, if the smell is sharp, acrid, or resembles nostril-searing ammonia, it is likely that your goat cheese has gone bad.
Finally, if the texture of the goat cheese has been compromised and is excessively hard, crumbly, or slimy, it is best to toss it. To extend the shelf life of goat cheese, always store it in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature of 40°F or lower. Transfer opened cheese to an airtight container before refrigerating, and wrap it tightly in parchment paper and then loose plastic wrap to maintain optimum moisture while allowing the cheese to breathe.
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Shelf life
Goat cheese crumbles, also known as Chevre, are small broken pieces of soft goat cheese with a distinctive earthy flavour and a smooth, velvety texture. They are usually sold in small containers for easy use and storage.
Goat cheese crumbles have a short shelf life and are highly perishable. To maximize their shelf life, they should be kept in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature of 40°F or lower. An unopened package of goat cheese crumbles will last for about a week after the "Sell By" or "Best By" date on the package. It is recommended to not open the package until you are ready to use it.
Once opened, the cheese should be transferred to an airtight container before refrigerating to prevent it from drying out and protect it from odours of other foods. You can also wrap the cheese tightly in parchment paper and then in loose plastic wrap to maintain optimum moisture while allowing the cheese to breathe.
Goat cheese crumbles should be discarded if left out at room temperature for more than two hours, as bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F. To extend the shelf life of unopened cheese crumbles, you can freeze them before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed.
Goat cheese crumbles typically give off clues when they have gone bad. Some signs to look out for include mould growth, a strong sour or rancid smell, or if the texture has been compromised and is excessively hard, crumbly, or slimy. If you see any bacterial film, a thin layer of clammy and slimy fluid on the surface of the cheese, discard it immediately.
It is important to note that mould on goat cheese is generally not safe to consume, unlike mould on blue cheese, which is created by specific types of mould known to be safe. If you see any pink mould on your goat cheese, it is best to discard it as it tends to invade the interior of the cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
An unopened package of goat cheese crumbles will last for about a week after the "Sell By" or "Best By" date on the package.
Always store your goat cheese crumbles in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature of 40°F or lower. For optimum moisture, wrap the cheese tightly in parchment paper, then in a loose plastic wrap.
Goat cheese gives off some clues when it has gone bad. Look for mould growth, a strong sour or rancid smell, or a change in texture—if it's excessively hard, crumbly, or slimy, it's best to toss it.
Unless it's a blue cheese, your goat cheese should not have any mould on it. If you see any blue, green, or pink mould, it's best to discard the cheese.
Goat cheese crumbles should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature, as bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F.
