Kamil Perry
Hard cheese is low in moisture, making it difficult for bacteria to flourish. This means that hard cheese has a longer shelf life than soft cheese. Unopened hard cheese doesn't need to be refrigerated but will last longer if it is. If stored in the fridge, hard cheese can last up to six months unopened and three to four months opened. Hard cheese can be inspected for mold, which can be cut off, and the rest of the cheese can be consumed safely.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | Hard cheese has a longer shelf life than soft cheese. Unopened hard cheese lasts for about 6 months in the fridge. Opened hard cheese lasts for about 3-4 weeks in the fridge. |
| Refrigeration | Hard cheese does not require refrigeration but keeps longer in the fridge. |
| Moisture content | Hard cheese has a low moisture content, making it difficult for bacteria to flourish. |
| Mold | Hard cheese can get moldy, but it usually only grows on the surface. The mold can be cut off, and the rest of the cheese can be consumed. However, if there is red or black mold, the cheese should be discarded. |
| Odour | Hard cheese can develop an ammonia-like odour, but this is not necessarily a sign of spoilage. |
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What You'll Learn
Hard cheese can be stored at room temperature
Hard cheeses are low in moisture, which makes it difficult for bacteria to flourish. This is why they have a longer shelf life than soft cheeses. If you do choose to store hard cheese in the refrigerator, it will last about four weeks once opened, and an unopened package will last about six months. To store hard cheese in the refrigerator, follow these steps:
- Remove the cheese from its plastic packaging.
- Wrap it loosely in cheese paper or wax paper.
- Put the cheese in a container with an airtight lid.
Even if mould forms on hard cheese, it can be safely consumed by cutting off the affected area. This is because mould generally only grows on the surface of hard cheese, unlike soft cheese where it can spread throughout the interior. However, if there is red or black mould on the cheese, it should be discarded as it indicates that the cheese has gone bad and the fridge may need sanitising.
In addition to visual inspection, smell is another way to determine if hard cheese is safe to eat. Although some types of cheese may have a strong odour, they should not smell like sweat, chlorine, or ammonia.
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Hard cheese lasts longer than soft cheese
Hard cheeses can be kept in the fridge or at room temperature. If stored in the fridge, they can last about four weeks once opened and about six months if unopened. At room temperature, hard cheeses can be kept for several months, depending on the size of the block. The larger the chunk, the longer it will last.
If mould forms on hard cheese, it can simply be cut off, and the rest of the cheese can be consumed. However, it is important to note that if there is red or black mould on hard cheese, the entire block should be discarded, as this indicates that the cheese is no longer safe to eat.
Soft cheeses, on the other hand, should be discarded if mould is present. This is because mould can grow roots and spread throughout the interior of soft cheese, even if it is not visible. Therefore, soft cheeses should be consumed within a week of opening to ensure freshness and avoid spoilage.
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How to identify if hard cheese has gone bad
Hard cheese has a long shelf life and does not require refrigeration, although it will last longer if it is refrigerated. Hard cheese can be kept for about six months unopened and about three to four weeks once opened.
Hard cheese is low in moisture, which makes it difficult for bacteria to flourish. However, hard cheese can still go bad, and it is important to inspect your cheese to make sure it is safe to eat.
- Mould: The most obvious sign of spoilage is visible, unintentional mould. If you notice mould on hard cheese, simply cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below those spots. However, if you see red or black mould, the cheese should be discarded, as it indicates that your fridge needs a thorough sanitizing.
- Texture: Hard cheeses can get hard and dry over time, but this does not necessarily indicate spoilage.
- Smell: Although some types of cheeses may smell stinky, they shouldn't have a sweaty, chlorine-like, or ammonia-like odour. If the cheese smells off, it may need to be thrown out.
- Expiration date: Most packaged foods like cheese provide a "best-by" date. Although commonly confused with an expiration date, it indicates the date until which the food is of the best quality. Cheese can still go bad before this date due to various reasons, so it is always good to inspect your cheese.
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How to store hard cheese in the fridge
Hard cheeses can be stored in the fridge for a long time, and they are less prone to spoilage from bacteria. If you have unopened blocks of hard cheese, they can last up to 6 months in the fridge. After opening, hard cheeses can last 3-4 weeks in the fridge.
To store hard cheese in the fridge, you should:
- Use the right type of wrapping: Hard cheeses that will be eaten quickly can be wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in a sealed plastic bag or sealed glass container. Alternatively, you can use wax, parchment, or cheese paper. If you want to use plastic wrap, it is recommended to use a fresh piece of wrap after each use.
- Store in the right location in the fridge: Regardless of the wrapping, store hard cheese in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator, where the temperature is cold and stable. The top of the fridge is also a good location as the temperature is usually the most constant.
- Maintain the right temperature: The ideal temperature for storing cheese is between 40 and 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Most home refrigerators are colder than this, so storing cheese in the produce drawer is recommended as it is usually slightly warmer than the rest of the fridge.
- Use other storage methods: If you don't want to store hard cheese in the fridge, you can use a cheese grotto, which can be kept on the counter or in a refrigerator. Another option is to use a plastic box with a lid to keep the wrapped cheese.
It is important to note that hard cheese can develop a white film or become rock hard, indicating that it has dried out. In such cases, you can try scraping away the white film to find good cheese underneath.
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How to remove mould from hard cheese
Unlike soft cheeses, where mould can spread throughout the interior, mould can generally only grow on the surface of a hard cheese. So, if you spot any mould, you can simply cut it off and store the cheese again. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
- Use a clean, sharp knife to cut at least a quarter of an inch (or 1 inch, according to some sources) around and below the mouldy spot.
- Be careful not to let the knife touch the mould and then clean the knife before using it to cut into the remaining cheese to avoid cross-contamination.
- Once the mould is gone, treat the remaining cheese like a fresh block by resealing it tightly.
To prevent mould from growing on hard cheese, it is essential to tightly wrap the cheese in an airtight material, such as plastic wrap or wax, parchment, or cheese paper, to minimise exposure to air. Hard cheese keeps better when wrapped in parchment paper than with plastic. You can then put the parchment-wrapped cheese in a ziplock bag.
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Frequently asked questions
Hard cheese can last 3-4 weeks in the fridge once opened. Unopened, it can last up to 6 months.
Hard cheese is low in moisture, making it difficult for bacteria to flourish. Therefore, it is safe to scrape off any blue, grey, or green mould that may appear and consume the cheese. However, if you notice red or black mould, throw the cheese away.
Hard cheese should be stored in the refrigerator. Remove the cheese from its plastic packaging and wrap it loosely in wax paper or cheese paper. Put the cheese in an airtight container.
