Bushra Griffith
String cheese is a handy snack and a versatile ingredient, but does it go bad? The answer depends on storage conditions and whether the package has been opened. An unopened package of string cheese will last about a week after the Sell By or Best By date if stored in the fridge. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze unopened string cheese, and it will maintain its best quality for about eight months. However, even after this period, it will remain safe to consume. If you're dealing with opened packages, use your judgement—if there's no mould, unpleasant smell, or off taste, it's probably still good to eat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Expiry | String cheese is considered expired one week after the "Sell By" or "Best By" date on the package |
| Shelf life | String cheese will maintain its best quality for about 8 months in the freezer, but will remain safe beyond that time |
| Spoilage | String cheese is spoiled if it has mold, a foul smell, or an unusual taste |
| Consumption of expired cheese | Some people report consuming string cheese that is 10 months expired without getting sick, but this is not recommended |
| Extending shelf life | To extend the shelf life of unopened string cheese, freeze it by tightly sealing the original packaging and placing it in a freezer |
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What You'll Learn
How long does unopened string cheese last in the fridge?
String cheese is typically sold in the form of sticks of low-moisture mozzarella, and sometimes they are also called mozzarella sticks or cheese sticks. They usually come with a sell-by, use-by, or best-by date on the label.
To maximize the shelf life of unopened string cheese, it should be stored in the fridge at all times and the package should not be opened until ready to use. Properly stored, unopened string cheese will last for about 1 week past the date on the package. To further extend the shelf life, the package can be frozen before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed. When freezing, the original packaging should be tightly sealed, and if freezing for longer than 2 months, the package should be placed inside a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
Some sources suggest that unopened string cheese can last for up to 2 months past the date on the label if it is stored properly in the fridge. However, it is important to exercise caution when consuming expired food products, as the quality and taste may deteriorate over time.
It is worth noting that string cheese is considered a soft cheese, and soft cheeses have a higher risk of spoilage if left unrefrigerated for extended periods. According to the U.S. Department of Health, perishable foods, including soft cheeses, should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar or Parmesan, can last longer at room temperature due to their lower moisture content, which makes them less susceptible to bacterial growth.
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Can you freeze string cheese?
Yes, you can freeze string cheese. Freezing dairy products is a common practice to extend their shelf life and preserve their quality. Before freezing, it is important to ensure that the string cheese is properly wrapped to prevent freezer burn and maintain its quality.
To freeze string cheese, start by individually wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. This extra layer of protection will help keep the cheese from drying out and prevent it from absorbing unwanted odours from the freezer. Once wrapped, place the cheese in a resealable freezer bag or an airtight container. Choose a container that is specifically designed for freezer use, as these containers provide better insulation and protection against freezer burn. Additionally, don't forget to label the packaging with the date to keep track of its freshness.
While freezing string cheese can prolong its shelf life, it is important to note that freezing dairy products can alter their texture and meltability due to the formation of ice crystals. Therefore, it is recommended to consume frozen string cheese within a few months, as the quality of the cheese may deteriorate over time.
Some sources suggest that harder cheeses with less moisture content, such as Cheddar, Jack, Colby, and mozzarella, tend to freeze better than softer cheeses. Softer cheeses have a higher moisture content, which can form more ice crystals during freezing, leading to a more noticeable degradation of texture. Therefore, it is generally recommended to serve soft cheeses fresh instead of freezing them.
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What are the signs that string cheese has gone bad?
String cheese is a convenient and healthy snack option, but it's important to know when it's gone bad. While string cheese typically has a "Best By" date on the package, it may still be safe to consume beyond that date if it's properly stored. Here are some signs to look out for to determine if your string cheese has gone bad:
Changes in Texture and Appearance
The first signs of spoilage in string cheese are usually changes in texture and appearance. Fresh string cheese has a unique elastic texture that allows it to be peeled into thin strips. However, as it goes bad, you may notice that it becomes drier and more brittle, losing its stretchy quality. In some cases, you might see visible mould growth on the surface of the cheese or observe discolouration, indicating spoilage.
Off Odours
Another telltale sign of spoilage in string cheese is an off or unpleasant odour. Fresh string cheese should have a mild and pleasant aroma. If it starts to smell sour, pungent, or simply different from its usual scent, it's likely gone bad. This is often caused by bacterial growth or the breakdown of the cheese by certain enzymes.
Unpleasant Taste
Tasting the string cheese is generally not recommended unless it passes the visual and olfactory tests mentioned above. However, if you do decide to taste it and it has an unusually bitter, sour, or rancid taste, it has likely spoiled. This change in taste could be due to the growth of undesirable microorganisms or the breakdown of the cheese's components over time.
Swelling or Leakage
If the string cheese is in a vacuum-sealed package, swelling or leakage can be a sign of spoilage. This could indicate the growth of harmful bacteria or the production of gas during the decomposition process. It's important to discard such packages without tasting the cheese, as consuming it could pose potential health risks.
It's important to note that proper storage is crucial to prolonging the shelf life of string cheese. Always keep it refrigerated and unopened until ready to use. Additionally, freezing string cheese can further extend its shelf life beyond the "Best By" date, but proper sealing and packaging are essential to prevent freezer burn.
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What is string cheese made from?
String cheese is made from real cheese, not processed cheese. The type of milk used in its production varies depending on the region. In Turkey, it is made from cow's milk, while in Armenia, it is made from a combination of cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk. In Russia and Georgia, it is made from fermented sheep's milk and cream, and in Slovakia, it is made from sheep's or cow's milk. In the United States, string cheese is typically made from mozzarella or a combination of mozzarella and cheddar. Mozzarella is a semi-soft cheese that originated in Italy and is traditionally made from water buffalo milk. However, most string cheese available today is made from cow's milk.
The manufacturing process of string cheese involves heating the curd to around 60°C (140°F), which helps develop its stretchiness. The curd is then kneaded and stretched, shaping it into long ropes, which brings the added benefit of aligning the proteins. These ropes are then cut into desired lengths and individually packaged for convenience. This production process not only makes the string cheese delicious but also fun to eat.
String cheese gets its name from its stringy and stretchy texture, which is created by the alignment of milk proteins during the manufacturing process. This unique texture also makes it a popular snack, especially among children. To maximize the shelf life of string cheese, it should be kept refrigerated at all times and the package should not be opened until ready to use. Properly stored, an unopened package of string cheese will last for about one week after the Sell By or Best By date on the package.
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What are some uses for string cheese?
String cheese is a versatile food with a range of uses. It is commonly sold as a pre-packaged snack and can be enjoyed on its own, or as part of a snack pack with other foods like crackers and fruit. String cheese is a type of mozzarella, and its unique elastic texture—created by heating, stretching, and cooling the cheese—allows it to be peeled into thin strips or "strings", adding an interactive element to snacking.
Beyond snacking, string cheese can be used as an ingredient in various recipes. It is a popular choice for homemade pizzas, adding a chewy and gooey factor when melted. It can also be used to make quick appetizers, such as baking a cheese stick wrapped in prosciutto until crispy. However, it is important to note that string cheese may not blend as well in dishes that typically use other types of cheese, as it can result in uneven melting or a stringy texture.
To extend the shelf life of string cheese, it can be frozen. This involves tightly sealing the original packaging and placing it in the freezer. If freezing for longer than two months, it is recommended to use a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Properly stored, string cheese will maintain its best quality for about eight months in the freezer, but it remains safe to consume beyond that.
While string cheese does not truly "expire", it is important to inspect it for any signs of spoilage before consumption. As long as it is not green, fuzzy, or swollen, and there is no mould, liquid, or foul smell, it should be safe to eat.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, string cheese can go bad. To maximise its shelf life, it should be kept in the fridge and the package should not be opened until it is ready to be used. An unopened package of string cheese will last about a week after the "Sell By" or "Best By" date on the package. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze it.
If the string cheese has mould on it, or smells or tastes bad, it has gone bad and should not be consumed.
To extend the shelf life of unopened string cheese, seal the original package tightly and place it in the freezer. If you plan on freezing it for longer than two months, place the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
