Patrick Oconnell
Blue cheese is a pungent, mouldy cheese that divides opinion. But does it hurt to eat it past its use-by date? Blue cheese, like all cheeses, can go bad. It typically lasts for up to a month in the fridge, and six months in the freezer. However, some people deliberately age their blue cheese, as they believe the flavour improves. Blue cheese is already mouldy, but it can go bad in several ways. It can smell weird like ammonia, turn pink, brown or green, become slimy or fuzzy, or grow spots or fuzz. If this happens, it's time to throw it out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to store | Refrigerate or freeze blue cheese |
| Refrigerator temperature | Not above 40 degrees |
| Shelf in the refrigerator | Bottom shelf |
| Expiry date | Remains good for one to two weeks past the date |
| Refrigerator shelf life | Three to four weeks |
| Freezer shelf life | Six months |
| Signs of spoilage | Slimy, gritty, smells like ammonia, or has grey, green, pink or white mold, spots, or fuzz |
| Taste | Spoiled blue cheese is very strong |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese can be safely consumed past its expiration date
- Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer for up to six months
- Raw blue cheese can have a sell by date two months after the packed on date
- Blue cheese that has gone bad will have an ammonia-like smell
- Blue cheese can be stored at the bottom of the refrigerator to maintain freshness
Blue cheese can be safely consumed past its expiration date
Blue cheese is a beloved food for many, but its strong taste and smell can be off-putting to some. Blue cheese, like all cheese, can go bad, but it can also be safely consumed past its expiration date. The key is to know how to spot the signs of spoilage.
Blue cheese is made with edible mould, which gives it its distinctive pungent taste and scent. This mould is perfectly safe to eat and is what makes blue cheese unique. However, blue cheese can still spoil, and it's important to know how to identify when it has gone bad.
The first sign of spoilage in blue cheese is often a change in smell. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but when it starts to go bad, it can develop an ammonia-like odour. This is a clear indication that the cheese should not be consumed. Another sign of spoilage is a change in colour. Good blue cheese should have blue or green mould throughout, with a creamy white colour in the un-moulded parts. If pink, brown, orange, or grey colours appear in these areas, it's best to discard the cheese.
The texture of the cheese can also indicate spoilage. Blue cheese should be moist, but if it becomes slimy, gritty, or fuzzy, it has likely gone bad. Additionally, if there is visible growth on the cheese that you cannot identify, it is best to throw it out. Taste can also be an indicator, as spoiled blue cheese will have an extremely strong taste. However, it is not recommended to taste the cheese unless all other signs appear normal.
To prolong the shelf life of blue cheese, proper storage is essential. It should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, ideally in the bottom drawers, to maintain a stable temperature. Keeping the refrigerator temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit will help extend the cheese's freshness. Additionally, wrapping the cheese in parchment or wax paper and then loosely in plastic wrap can help preserve its quality.
In summary, blue cheese can be safely consumed past its expiration date, but caution should be exercised. By examining the smell, colour, texture, and taste, you can determine if the cheese has spoiled. Proper storage practices will also help extend the shelf life of blue cheese, ensuring its safe consumption beyond the printed expiration date.
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Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer for up to six months
Blue cheese is a pungent, edible mould that is generally safe to eat. However, like any other cheese, it can go bad. To avoid this, blue cheese can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.
Freezing blue cheese is a great way to extend its shelf life. When stored at a constant temperature of 0°F, blue cheese will remain safe indefinitely. However, for the best taste and texture, it is recommended to consume it within six months. After this period, the cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour.
To freeze blue cheese, it is important to follow proper storage procedures. Firstly, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. Then, wrap each portion tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic wrap. Make sure your freezer temperature is set to 0°F or below to ensure the cheese remains safe and maintains its quality.
When you are ready to use the frozen blue cheese, thaw it in the refrigerator. A wedge of blue cheese, once defrosted in the fridge, can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days before using. If thawed in the microwave or cold water, it should be consumed immediately. Frozen and thawed blue cheese is best suited for cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, or casseroles.
It is important to note that the taste and texture of blue cheese can change slightly after it has been frozen and thawed. Additionally, always check the cheese for any signs of spoilage, such as sliminess, grit, or an ammonia-like smell, before consuming it.
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Raw blue cheese can have a sell by date two months after the packed on date
Blue cheese is made with edible mould, which gives it its distinctive pungent taste and smell. This mould is perfectly safe to eat, but blue cheese can still go bad. If blue cheese is slimy, gritty, smells like ammonia, or has grey, green, pink, brown or white mould, spots or fuzz, it has gone bad and should be thrown away. Good blue cheese is moist, tangy and contains blue or green mould.
Raw blue cheese can have a "sell by" date up to two months after the "packed on" date. This is because raw cheese contains live cultures, which can prolong the shelf life by keeping away pathogens. However, it's important to note that even raw blue cheese will eventually go bad.
To keep blue cheese fresh for as long as possible, it should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The lower the temperature, the longer the cheese will stay fresh, so the bottom shelf or a drawer is ideal. Blue cheese can also be stored in the freezer, where it will last indefinitely, although the taste and texture may change slightly after six months.
If you're unsure whether your blue cheese has gone bad, the best way to tell is to smell it. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but this will change as it starts to spoil. If it smells like ammonia, it's time to throw it away. If the cheese has been left unrefrigerated, it should be discarded after two days. Refrigerated blue cheese will usually last for three to four weeks, although it may still be edible after this time. If the cheese has been left unopened past its "use by" date, it may still be safe to eat if it looks and smells fine. However, if it has been opened and then left past its expiration date, it's best to be cautious and discard it.
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Blue cheese that has gone bad will have an ammonia-like smell
Blue cheese is a pungent and divisive food, with a strong taste and scent that is not to everyone's liking. It is a cheese that contains beneficial mould throughout, which is usually blue or green in colour. This mould produces ammonia, which reduces the acidity of the cheese over time.
Blue cheese, like other cheeses, can go bad. It is important to know how to spot this to avoid eating spoiled cheese. Blue cheese that has gone bad will have an ammonia-like smell. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but this changes as it starts to spoil. If the cheese has an ammonia smell, it is probably past its best.
Other signs that blue cheese has gone bad include a change in colour. Fresh blue cheese has blue or green mould throughout, with a creamy white colour in the un-moulded part of the cheese. If the white part of the cheese turns pink, brown or green, this is a sign that the cheese has gone bad. If the cheese is slimy, gritty or fuzzy, it should also be discarded.
The taste is a final way to tell if blue cheese has gone bad. If everything appears normal, a small taste of the cheese can be taken to test it. However, it is important to remember that only a tiny amount of spoiled blue cheese is needed to detect that it has gone bad—the taste will be very strong and sharp.
To keep blue cheese fresh for as long as possible, it should be stored correctly. It should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper and stored in loosely wrapped plastic wrap in the refrigerator. The colder the cheese is kept, the longer it will stay fresh, so it should be kept on the bottom shelf of the fridge, ideally in a drawer, where the temperature will remain stable. Blue cheese will last in the refrigerator for up to a month, and in the freezer for up to six months. However, for the best taste and texture, it should not be frozen for more than six months.
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Blue cheese can be stored at the bottom of the refrigerator to maintain freshness
Blue cheese is a pungent, delicate cheese that can be tricky to store. It can quickly develop unwanted bacteria, especially if it's wrapped too tightly in plastic wrap or stored in a container that traps moisture. Blue cheese is susceptible to oxidisation and can lose its surface moisture, becoming drier and more crumbly.
To maintain freshness, blue cheese should be stored in a climate with high humidity. It likes to breathe and should be wrapped in wax paper or aluminium foil, which protects it from excess moisture while allowing it to breathe. Placing the wrapped cheese in an airtight container further helps maintain freshness.
Blue cheese should be stored in the warmest part of the refrigerator, typically in the vegetable drawer at the bottom. The lower section of the fridge is usually the coldest, so keeping it on the bottom shelf will preserve it for longer. If your refrigerator has drawers at the bottom, this is ideal as the temperature will remain stable.
If you plan on eating the cheese within a week, you can store it in a traditional cheese dome on your kitchen counter. This eliminates the need to take the cheese out of the fridge an hour before eating, as the flavour and texture of the blue cheese are ready to eat at any moment.
Blue cheese can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. It will usually remain good for one to two weeks past its expiration date. However, if it is slimy, gritty, smells like ammonia, or has grey, green, pink, or white mould, spots, or fuzz, it has gone bad and should be discarded.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese has a strong, distinct smell, but if it smells like ammonia, it’s probably gone bad. If the cheese has a slimy or fuzzy texture, or if there is stuff growing on it that you can't identify, it has likely gone bad. If the cheese has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours, it should be discarded.
Unopened blue cheese typically has a shelf life of one to six months, depending on its packaging. Once opened, it should be consumed within three to four weeks. Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer and will remain edible indefinitely, but for the best taste and texture, it should be consumed within six months.
Yes, it is possible to get sick from eating spoiled blue cheese. If you experience any adverse effects after consuming expired blue cheese, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
To prolong the shelf life of blue cheese, it should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The colder the temperature, the longer the blue cheese will remain fresh. It is recommended to store it on the bottom shelf or in a drawer to maintain a stable temperature.
