Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient, but how should it be stored? Does it need to be refrigerated? The answer is yes, but there are some important nuances to consider. Firstly, fresh goat cheese should be refrigerated and can be served straight from the fridge, whereas aged goat cheese should be brought to room temperature before serving to ensure maximum flavour. Additionally, the type of goat cheese and personal preferences will determine the ideal refrigerator temperature and storage location. Proper wrapping is essential to avoid contamination and transferring odours. Freezing goat cheese is possible, but only for dry and semi-hard varieties, as fresh and ripened goat cheeses can have their texture and flavour altered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage location | Refrigerator, freezer |
| Packaging | Parchment paper, aluminium foil, plastic wrap, cheese box, airtight container |
| Temperature | 0 °C-10 °C |
| Freshness | Fresh goat cheese should be white in colour |
| Ripening | Store fresh cheese between 0 °C and 4 °C to stop ripening |
| Serving | Fresh goat cheese can be served straight from the fridge; aged goat cheese should be brought to room temperature |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese left out overnight
Goat cheese is a soft cheese, and like all soft cheeses, it is a little tricky to keep. If your goat cheese has been left out overnight, it is important to check whether it is safe to eat. The first step is to check whether the cheese was wrapped tightly or was still in its package when left out. If so, and it smells, tastes, and looks fine, it is likely safe to consume. However, if you are immunocompromised, pregnant, or simply squeamish, it is best to err on the side of caution and throw it out.
If the cheese has been opened, it is essential to perform a smell test before consumption. If there is any sign of a strange odour, colour change, or a tingling feeling on your tongue when you taste it, discard the cheese immediately. These are signs that the cheese has gone bad and could contain harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses.
It is generally recommended to put the cheese back in the fridge after it has been left out. Even if the cheese looks and smells fine, it is advisable to use it up within a week and not keep it for an extended period. This is because soft cheeses are more challenging to preserve and can spoil quickly.
Some people suggest that cooking with the cheese can be a safer option, even if you are unsure about its freshness. Cooking can kill any potential bacteria, but it is important to note that some bacteria produce toxins that may not be rendered harmless by cooking. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious and thoroughly assess the cheese's appearance, smell, and taste before consumption.
In summary, if your goat cheese was left out overnight but still looks, smells, and tastes fresh, it is likely safe to consume, especially if it was tightly wrapped or packaged. However, if there are any signs of spoilage or if you have any health concerns, it is best to discard the cheese to prevent any potential foodborne illnesses.
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How to store goat cheese
Storing goat cheese correctly is essential to preserving its flavour and texture. The two main types of goat cheese are fresh and aged. Fresh goat cheese is soft, moist, and ranges from creamy to crumbly in texture, while aged goat cheese has a stronger flavour and a more solid consistency. Here are some detailed tips on how to store goat cheese to maintain its quality:
Choosing the Right Storage Location
The ideal storage location for goat cheese is a cool, dark place with consistent temperatures, resembling the cave or ripening room where the cheese was initially matured. The refrigerator is the most convenient option for achieving these conditions. Specifically, the vegetable drawer in the refrigerator is ideal for cheese storage because it typically maintains a temperature between 8°C and 10°C, similar to a cave.
Controlling Temperature and Humidity
Cheese is sensitive to temperature and humidity. Storing cheese at too low a temperature can dull its aromas and texture. For well-aged goat cheeses, a temperature between 4°C and 6°C in the middle of the refrigerator is suitable. To halt the ripening of fresh goat cheese, store it in the upper part of the refrigerator, where temperatures range from 0°C to 4°C.
Proper Wrapping and Packaging
Before placing goat cheese in the refrigerator, ensure it is correctly wrapped to avoid transferring odours and flavours between different cheeses. Individually wrap each cheese in parchment paper, aluminium foil, or plastic wrap. Alternatively, use a cheese box to store multiple cheeses separately from other foods in the refrigerator. Reusing the original packaging can also help protect the cheese from microbial contamination.
Freezing Goat Cheese
Some types of goat cheese, such as dry and semi-hard varieties, can be frozen without significant changes in texture and flavour. However, fresh and ripened goat cheeses are less suited for freezing due to their higher moisture content, which can affect their quality during the thawing process. If you plan to freeze goat cheese, ensure it is properly wrapped and placed in an airtight container, preferably made of glass, to prevent odour absorption.
Serving Temperature
When serving goat cheese, consider the type of cheese and its ideal temperature. Fresh goat cheese can be served straight from the refrigerator, as it warms up quickly. On the other hand, aged goat cheeses should be allowed to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. This temperature adjustment softens the milk fat, ensuring you experience the cheese's maximum flavour.
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Serving temperatures for goat cheese
Goat cheese is a versatile and popular cheese with a tangy, creamy texture. It can be served in a variety of ways, from chilled to room temperature, depending on personal preference.
When serving goat cheese, it is important to consider the desired temperature and texture. If you prefer a slightly chilled cheese, serve it straight from the refrigerator. For a softer, more spreadable cheese, allow the goat cheese to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before serving. This process, known as tempering, allows the cheese's flavours to develop fully.
Fresh goat cheese is typically soft, moist, and can range from creamy to crumbly in texture. It is best served at room temperature to enhance its full range of flavours and aromas. Chèvre, a type of fresh goat cheese, should be taken out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to ensure it reaches the optimal temperature.
Aged goat cheese, on the other hand, has a firmer texture and a stronger flavour. It can be melted or sliced and is perfect for grating. This type of goat cheese can also be served at room temperature, but it is important to note that it may not have the same spreadability as fresh goat cheese.
When incorporating goat cheese into recipes, it is recommended to add it towards the end of cooking to preserve its distinct flavour and texture. For a warm, melty consistency, place slices or crumbles on top of hot dishes just before serving. Goat cheese can also be baked, blended, or whipped to create sauces, dips, and spreads that can be served warm or chilled.
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Freezing goat cheese
Goat cheese is a soft and creamy cheese that can be frozen to extend its shelf life. Freezing goat cheese is a simple process and can be done in portions or as a whole log.
Firstly, divide the goat cheese into portions if you desire. You can wrap the log or portions in freezer-safe plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped cheese in a freezer-safe zipper top bag or add an extra layer of foil to protect it from freezer burn. Squeeze out any excess air from the bag and seal it tightly before placing it in the freezer. It is also helpful to label the package with the date, as goat cheese should be used within three months of freezing.
Goat cheese thaws quickly, and you can even cube or crumble it while it is still partially frozen. When using frozen goat cheese, it is best to grate it, as you would with hard cheeses such as Parmesan. This technique works well for salads, allowing you to enjoy the tangy flavour of goat cheese in every bite. However, keep in mind that not all recipes are suitable for grated goat cheese. For example, dishes like strawberry goat cheese bruschetta require the cheese to be soft, creamy, and spreadable.
In conclusion, freezing goat cheese is an excellent way to prevent waste and ensure you always have this delicious ingredient on hand. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy goat cheese in your favourite recipes whenever you like.
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Choosing the best goat cheese
Goat cheese, or "chevre", comes in over 100 varieties, textures, aromas, shapes, and aging periods. The best goat cheese for you will depend on your taste preferences, how you plan to serve it, and your budget.
Taste
Goat cheese is generally known for its tangy, grassy, and floral flavour profile. However, the specific flavour of a goat cheese will depend on its age, with younger and fresher cheeses having a milder and lighter taste, and drier, more ripened cheeses having a stronger flavour. The texture of the cheese will also vary depending on its age, with softer cheeses having a higher water content and a more supple centre.
Serving
If you are planning to serve goat cheese as part of a cheese course, a crottin (a small round of goat cheese) is a good option. The rind of a crottin is meant to be eaten and will impart a funky flavour that contrasts with the tangy and creamy inner cheese. Goat cheese can also be served warm, melted in the oven with honey, or crumbled into salads. When choosing a goat cheese to serve on its own, look for options that are creamy and spreadable, or crumbly but still creamy.
If you are planning to cook with goat cheese, a stronger-flavoured option may work well, as the cooking process will likely tone down the flavour. Drunken Goat cheese, a semi-soft Spanish cheese bathed in red wine, has a bright, somewhat fruity flavour that could make it a good cooking ingredient. Goat cheese can be melted, crumbled, or spread onto dishes such as salads, omelettes, or waffles, or used as a topping for dishes like pasta or quiche.
Budget
If you are looking for a more affordable option, you may want to consider purchasing goat cheese from a grocery store rather than a specialty cheese shop. The flavour and quality of grocery store goat cheese are likely to be similar to those of more expensive options, just without the esoteric flavour descriptions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, goat cheese should be refrigerated. Fresh, unopened, and vacuum-sealed goat cheese can be stored in the fridge for about two months or longer.
Goat cheese should be wrapped correctly before placing it in the refrigerator to avoid transferring odors and flavors between different cheeses. Goat cheese can be wrapped in parchment paper, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap. It can also be stored in a cheese box to keep it separate from other foods. The vegetable drawer in the refrigerator is a good place to store goat cheese because the temperature is similar to that of a cave, which is the perfect storage location for cheese.
Yes, some goat cheeses can be frozen to keep them for a little longer. Dry and semi-hard goat cheeses can withstand freezing and thawing, while fresh and ripened goat cheeses may have their texture and flavor altered by the process.
