Bushra Griffith
Goat cheese is a beloved dairy product with a distinct tangy taste and creamy texture. Its popularity is due in part to its versatility, as it can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas and even desserts. The shelf life of goat cheese varies depending on its type, packaging, and storage conditions. Fresh goat cheese, for example, has a shorter shelf life than aged varieties, which can last several months under optimal conditions. Baking is a popular way to incorporate goat cheese into dishes, but does baking make goat cheese shelf-stable?
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese storage methods
Goat cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pastas. Proper storage is crucial to maintaining its quality and extending its shelf life. Here are some storage methods to keep your goat cheese fresh and flavorful:
Storage Methods for Fresh Goat Cheese:
- Refrigerate: Fresh goat cheese should be stored in the refrigerator. Place it in the vegetable drawer or the middle section of your fridge, where the temperature is typically between 4°C and 10°C. This will help maintain a stable temperature and mimic the conditions of a traditional cheese cave.
- Airtight Container: Keep fresh goat cheese in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out and to maintain its quality. This is especially important if you're storing it in the refrigerator, as it will protect the cheese from excess moisture and odor transfer.
- Consume Promptly: Fresh goat cheese is best enjoyed within a week of purchase. It has a shorter shelf life than aged varieties, so plan to buy only what you need for your upcoming meals or appetizers.
Storage Methods for Aged Goat Cheese:
- Wrap and Refrigerate: For aged goat cheeses, wrap them in wax or parchment paper and store them in the refrigerator. This helps maintain their quality and texture.
- Stable Environment: Aged goat cheeses prefer a more stable, humid environment. Avoid storing them in the coldest part of your fridge, as extreme cold can affect their delicate flavor and texture. The vegetable drawer or the middle section of your fridge is ideal.
- Reseal Properly: Once opened, aged goat cheese should be correctly resealed. Exposure to air and moisture can impact its freshness, flavor, and texture.
Freezing Goat Cheese:
Freezing is an option for extending the shelf life of goat cheese, especially for harder varieties. Here's how to do it:
- Portion and Wrap: Cut the cheese into small portions and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped cheese in a freezer bag.
- Freeze: Put the cheese in the freezer for up to six months. Freezing doesn't completely stop the ripening process, so plan to consume it within two months for optimal quality.
- Thaw Safely: Thaw frozen goat cheese in the refrigerator 24 hours before use. Never thaw it at room temperature, as this can promote bacterial growth.
- Cooked Dishes: Frozen and thawed goat cheese is best used in cooked dishes rather than eaten fresh, as its texture may be slightly altered.
Other Storage Tips:
- Buy Local: Shopping for goat cheese from local producers reduces travel time and ensures you're getting the freshest product.
- Natural Milk: When purchasing goat cheese, confirm that the producer uses all-natural, fresh milk to ensure the best quality and flavor.
- Avoid Plastic Wrap: Plastic wrap is not ideal for storing goat cheese, as it can trap moisture and encourage unwanted mold growth. Opt for wax or parchment paper instead.
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Baking with goat cheese
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savoury to sweet. It has a tangy, creamy flavour and a range of textures depending on how long it has been aged. Fresh goat cheese is soft and young, while aged goat cheese is firmer and has a stronger flavour. When baking with goat cheese, it is important to consider the type of cheese and how it will impact the texture and taste of the final product.
One option for baking with goat cheese is to use it as an ingredient in savoury dishes. Goat cheese melts beautifully, making it ideal for pasta, pizza, and quesadillas. It can also be baked on its own as an appetizer, drizzled with honey and crushed red peppers, or whipped with cream cheese, honey, garlic, and seasonings to create a dip. Goat cheese can also be fried and drizzled with honey and black pepper or baked into a cheesecake for a sweet treat.
When storing goat cheese, it is important to note that it has a shorter shelf life compared to other cheeses due to its delicate flavour. Fresh goat cheese should be consumed within 1-2 weeks of opening, while aged goat cheese can last a few weeks to a month or more. To extend the shelf life, goat cheese can be frozen for up to 6 months, although the texture may change slightly.
- Baked goat cheese dip: Combine goat cheese, cream cheese, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a food processor. Transfer the mixture to a small oven-safe baking dish and drizzle with honey. Bake at 400°F for 13-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Fried goat cheese: Slice goat cheese into rounds and fry in a cast-iron pan for 1 minute on high heat. Drizzle with honey and add crushed red peppers. Bake at 400°F for 17-20 minutes or until golden. Top with chives.
- Goat cheese cheesecake: Blend a log of soft goat cheese with vanilla custard and a touch of lemon juice for a tangy and creamy dessert.
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Goat cheese shelf life
Goat cheese is a beloved dairy product with a tangy flavor and creamy texture. It is available in various forms, including fresh, aged, and semi-soft, each with its own unique shelf life.
Fresh goat cheese, such as chevre, typically lasts 1-2 weeks when refrigerated. It is soft, young, and moist, with a creamy texture. It is best stored in an airtight container and consumed within 5-7 days of opening for optimal quality.
Aged goat cheese, on the other hand, tends to have a longer shelf life due to its lower moisture content. It can last a month or more when properly stored in the refrigerator. Before serving, aged goat cheese should be allowed to come to room temperature, which enhances its flavor.
Semi-soft goat cheeses have a shelf life of 3-4 weeks when stored correctly.
Additionally, freezing can extend the shelf life of goat cheese. Cut the cheese into small portions, wrap them tightly, and place them in a freezer bag. Frozen goat cheese can be stored for up to 6 months and should be thawed in the refrigerator for 24 hours before use. However, it is important to note that freezing may alter the texture slightly, making soft goat cheese crumbly.
Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the quality and extending the shelf life of goat cheese. It should be wrapped correctly and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent the transfer of odors and flavors and to protect it from microbial contamination.
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Goat cheese types
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to desserts. It is produced using goat's milk and comes in a range of textures and flavours, depending on how long it has been aged for.
The three main categories of goat cheese are:
- Fresh: These are rindless, spreadable, and come in various shapes, the most common being a log shape. Fresh goat cheese is soft, moist, and can range from creamy to crumbly in texture. It has a tangy, mouthwatering flavour.
- Aged: These cheeses are ripened over a longer period, resulting in a firmer texture and a stronger flavour with hints of umami and butter. They are perfect for melting or grating.
- Soft-Ripened: These soft cheeses are aged for several weeks and have a natural or bloomy rind.
Some specific types of goat cheese include:
- Crottin: A crumbly cheese that pairs well with grapefruit in a salad.
- Bûcheron: Another crumbly cheese that can be used in Chilaquiles Verdes.
- Chabichou du Poitou: A goat cheese that can be crumbled over polenta cakes with caramelized onions and honey.
- Valençay: A goat cheese that works well as a burger topping or in thumbprint cookies with fig preserves.
- Goat Brie: A French goat cheese with a sweet and delicate flavour, often used in place of cow's milk Brie.
- Florette: A creamy goat cheese that can be used in grits or folded into a risotto.
- Añejo: A firm, aged Mexican cheese traditionally made from goat's milk.
- Brunost (or Geitost): A Norwegian brown goat cheese with a sweet flavour.
- Majorero: A Spanish goat cheese similar to Manchego, with Protected Designation of Origin status.
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Goat cheese and health
Goat cheese is a nutritious and healthy food, packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. It is a good source of calcium, which is essential for building and strengthening bones and teeth. Goat cheese also contains phosphorus and copper, which are also important for bone health.
Goat cheese is a popular alternative to cow's milk cheese, as it is easier to digest and has lower levels of lactose. It is also hypoallergenic, so it is a good option for those with allergies or intolerances to cow's milk. Goat cheese has a mild and earthy flavour, and comes in a variety of textures, from soft and spreadable to salty and crumbly.
Goat cheese contains beneficial probiotics, which are a type of healthy bacteria. Probiotics improve digestive health, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. The fatty acids in goat cheese are metabolized faster than those in cow's cheese, which can aid weight loss by increasing satiety and reducing hunger.
Goat cheese is also a good source of selenium, an essential mineral that helps the body to break down DNA-damaging peroxides, which can lower the risk of cancer, thyroid disease, and cardiovascular disease. Goat cheese also contains magnesium, niacin (vitamin B3), and riboflavin (vitamin B2), which is important for the production and functioning of new cells.
Goat cheese can be incorporated into a variety of dishes, such as salads, pasta, pizza, and desserts. It can be used as a topping, spread, or side.
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Frequently asked questions
No, goat cheese does not become shelf-stable after baking. Baking is a cooking method that uses dry heat, and while it can kill bacteria, it does not make food shelf-stable. Goat cheese is a perishable food with a limited shelf life and can spoil over time.
Baking goat cheese does not extend its shelf life. Once goat cheese is baked, it should be treated like any other cooked food and consumed within a few days to a week.
Fresh goat cheese typically lasts 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. However, once opened, it should be consumed within 5-7 days for the best quality.
The best way to store goat cheese is to wrap it tightly in wax or parchment paper and then place it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store it in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back of the bottom shelf.
Yes, freezing goat cheese can extend its shelf life for several months. Cut the cheese into small portions, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 6 months and thaw in the refrigerator before use.
