Frederic Melton
Grated cheese is a convenient way to add flavour to a variety of dishes, but it can be tricky to store. The shelf life of grated cheese depends on a variety of factors, including the type of cheese, how it's packaged, and how it's stored. Some cheeses, such as soft cheeses like mozzarella, are best enjoyed fresh, while harder cheeses like parmesan can last for several weeks or even months when stored properly. One of the biggest challenges with grated cheese is preventing mould growth. Manufacturers use modified atmosphere packaging, replacing oxygen with other gases to prevent mould, but once the package is opened, the cheese becomes susceptible to mould. Freezing grated cheese can help to preserve it, but the texture may be affected. To ensure food safety, it's important to inspect grated cheese for mould, off odours, discolouration, or other signs of spoilage before consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shelf life of grated cheese | Grated cheese in its original closed pack can be stored for weeks or months. Once opened, it is prone to mould growth and should be consumed within a few days. |
| Freezing grated cheese | Freezing grated cheese can stop the growth of moulds. However, freezing does not kill moulds, and they may start growing again once the cheese is thawed. |
| Modified atmosphere packaging | This technique replaces the air in the packaging with a gas of a different composition, usually 100% nitrogen. This helps extend the shelf life of grated cheese. |
| Determining spoilage | Grated cheese can be inspected for mould, off odours, discolouring, or changes in texture and taste to determine if it has spoiled. |
| Storage | Grated cheese should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, with a safe temperature below 40°F (4°C). |
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What You'll Learn
How to store grated cheese
Grated cheese can be stored in a variety of ways, depending on its type and how long you want to keep it.
If you're storing shop-bought grated cheese, it's best to use it within a few days of opening the packet. This is because the oxygen in the air will enable mould to grow on the cheese. To prevent mould, some manufacturers use modified atmosphere packaging, which replaces the oxygen in the packet with a different gas, like nitrogen. However, once the packet is opened, the cheese will be exposed to oxygen and mould may start to grow.
If you're storing freshly grated cheese, you can keep it in the fridge for a few days to a week. It may start to stick together, so it's best to use it as soon as possible. To store it for longer, you can keep it in a plastic zippered bag in the freezer. Frozen grated cheese can be used directly from the freezer and will thaw quickly.
If you're storing a block of hard cheese like parmesan, you can grate it as you need it, and it will last for months in the fridge. To store it, take the cheese out of any plastic wrap and wrap it in parchment paper, then a paper towel, before placing it in a plastic bag and squeezing out all the air.
It's important to note that soft cheeses like mozzarella and gouda may have a strange texture after being frozen, so it's best to store these in the fridge and use them within one to two weeks.
Finally, always use your best judgement. If the cheese has any mould, an unusual smell, discolouring, or spots, it's best to throw it away.
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The shelf life of grated cheese
Packaging and Storage
Manufacturers of grated cheese often use modified atmosphere packaging, which replaces the air with a gas of a different composition, such as 100% nitrogen. This technique helps to extend the shelf life of grated cheese by creating an environment that inhibits the growth of mould. However, once the package is opened, the protective barrier is broken, and the cheese is exposed to oxygen, which can accelerate its deterioration. Therefore, it is recommended to consume grated cheese within a couple of days after opening, regardless of the best-before date on the package.
Type of Cheese
Inspecting Cheese for Spoilage
It is important to inspect grated cheese for signs of spoilage before consumption, regardless of the best-before date. Mould, off odours, discolouration, and changes in texture or taste can indicate that the cheese has gone bad and should not be eaten. Cutting off mouldy portions of hard cheese and consuming the rest is generally considered safe, but it is important to monitor for symptoms of food poisoning.
In summary, the shelf life of grated cheese can vary depending on the type of cheese, packaging, and storage conditions. Proper storage techniques, such as using airtight containers and maintaining a refrigerator temperature below 40°F (4°C), are crucial to maximise the shelf life of grated cheese and prevent spoilage.
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How to tell if grated cheese has gone bad
Grated cheese is a very desirable place for moulds to grow. Moulds need oxygen to grow, and once a pack of grated cheese is opened, the protective barrier against mould growth is broken. Even if the pack is closed after opening, it won't be as effective as before.
Check for mould
If you notice specks of blue or green surface mould on hard cheese, simply cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below those spots. If you have a healthy immune system, you will likely be fine if you accidentally eat a mouldy spot, but monitor for symptoms of food poisoning like vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhoea, as some moulds are more dangerous than others.
Smell the cheese
Although some types of cheeses may smell stinky, they shouldn’t have a sweaty, chlorine-like, or ammonia-like odour. Getting to know your cheese at its best will tip you off when it starts to spoil.
Check the texture
Building familiarity with the texture of a cheese once you buy it will help you discern whether something’s off. In general, if the cheese is weeping moisture, or has turned brittle and dry, it has likely gone bad.
Check the taste
Taste is also indicative of spoilage, but it should be the last line of defence. If a cheese has undergone a significant change in flavour (think from mild to sharp, or nutty to sour), it has likely gone bad—and you’ll know before you put it in your mouth.
Check the best-before date
The best-before date is the manufacturer's estimate of when food will taste its best. All foods, including grated cheese, can usually still be eaten after their expiration dates, as long as they've been stored properly.
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Freezing grated cheese
Yes, you can freeze grated cheese. Freezing grated cheese can extend its shelf life and prevent mould growth. However, it's important to note that freezing does not kill mould spores, and mould growth may resume once the cheese is thawed.
When freezing grated cheese, it is recommended to trim the cheese into a uniform shape, such as a cube or rectangle, with level surfaces. This helps to ensure even freezing and thawing. The grated cheese should then be packaged to reduce oxygen contact, which can be done through various methods:
- Vacuum sealing: This method eliminates contact with surrounding air and allows cheese to be frozen for the longest duration, up to two months.
- Parchment paper and aluminium foil: Tightly wrap the cheese first in parchment paper and then in aluminium foil. This method can preserve the cheese for up to one month.
- Freezer bag: As a last resort, you can use a freezer bag. Ensure you squeeze out as much excess air as possible before sealing.
Regarding the types of cheese suitable for freezing, harder cheeses tend to hold up better in frozen conditions. Cheeses with a natural rind, such as Camembert, cloth-bound cheddar, or St. Nectaire, may develop undesirable flavours when frozen. Semi-firm to firm blocks of cheese without a rind, such as cheddar, Jack, Colby, mozzarella, muenster, and provolone, are better suited for freezing and are intended to be melted into dishes after thawing.
When using frozen grated cheese, it is recommended to incorporate it as a secondary ingredient in meals where the cheese is grated, fully melted, or shaved. Thawing the cheese slowly and consistently can help retain moisture and minimise fluctuations in texture and consistency. Placing the frozen cheese in the fridge on a flat plate or surface, ideally wrapped or in an airtight container, for about 12 hours is a suitable method for thawing.
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Grating your own cheese
First, place the block of cheese in the freezer for a short time before grating. This will make the cheese firmer and easier to grate. When it's firmed up, take it out of the freezer and set up your grater.
Instead of using a bowl or plate to catch the cheese, which can be unstable, use a large piece of parchment paper on a flat surface. That way, you can easily slide the cheese into a container for cooking or storage when you're done.
To grate the cheese, turn the grater on its side. This will give you more control and make it easier to move the block of cheese horizontally. The shredded cheese will fall into the body of the grater, and you can simply dump it into a bowl when you're finished.
If you're grating cheese for a sauce that requires emulsification, such as cacio e pepe, use a box grater instead of a Microplane. The smaller, powdery gratings produced by a box grater will also give you a bigger blast of cheesy flavour by volume. However, if you're looking for the best aroma, a Microplane might be a better option.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, grated cheese does get old.
An opened pack of grated cheese will last for a couple of days.
Freezing grated cheese will stop the growth of moulds. However, keep in mind that freezing doesn't kill moulds. Manufacturers also use modified atmosphere packaging, which replaces the air with a gas of a different composition, usually 100% nitrogen.
If you notice any off odours, discolouring, or spots of mould on your grated cheese, don't eat it.
Wrap hard grated cheeses in wax paper, parchment paper, or cheese paper, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
