Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is known for its pungent smell and signature streaks of mold, but how can you tell when it's past its prime? Blue cheese can spoil quickly, so it's important to know the signs of spoilage. Good blue cheese should have a cream to white body with greenish-blue veins. If you spot growths that look different from the intended mold, such as fuzzy, dark-colored mold in black, grey, or green, it's likely a sign that your blue cheese has gone bad. Another telltale sign is an ammonia-like smell. While blue cheese is supposed to have a pungent odor, if the smell becomes musty or fully ammonia-pungent, it's likely spoiled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Fuzzy, grey-black mold spots, glistening yellow areas, green, pink, or gray patches |
| Smell | Ammonia-like, musty |
| Taste | Biting, too strong |
| Expiry | 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator, 2 days at room temperature, 6 months in the freezer |
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What You'll Learn
How to store blue cheese to prevent it from spoiling
Blue cheese is a delicate product that can be tricky to store. It is susceptible to oxidization and can quickly lose its surface moisture, becoming dry and crumbly. To prevent this from happening, there are several steps you can take.
Firstly, blue cheese should be stored in a high-humidity environment. This can be achieved by placing it in the vegetable drawer of your fridge, as this tends to be the most humid section. You can also invest in a clay brick humidifier, which will help regulate humidity levels. Alternatively, you may consider purchasing a Cheese Grotto, a specialised storage container designed to self-regulate humidity with its breathable back panel, ensuring a constant supply of fresh air.
Secondly, avoid wrapping blue cheese too tightly in plastic wrap or regular cheese paper. This can trap moisture on the surface of the cheese, leading to the growth of unwanted bacteria, particularly of a pinkish hue, which can render the cheese inedible. Instead, opt for specialised cheese wrap, which includes a waxy cheese paper layer and a foil outer layer, or use cheese paper or bee's wrap.
Thirdly, when storing blue cheese, it is important to maintain a consistent temperature. Ensure your refrigerator temperature is set no higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan to store blue cheese on the counter, do so only during the week you intend to consume it, and avoid temperatures above room temperature.
Additionally, it is advisable to clean any shelves or containers used to store blue cheese with hot water and distilled white vinegar (in a 3:1 ratio) between uses, allowing them to air dry before reusing. This will help prevent the transfer of unwanted flavours or bacteria.
Finally, if you wish to store blue cheese for an extended period, consider freezing it. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each and freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags. Frozen blue cheese can last up to six months while remaining safe to consume, although its taste and texture may change slightly upon thawing.
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How to identify the bad mould from the good mould
Blue cheese is known for its signature streaks of mold and strong smell, so it can be tough to tell when it has gone bad. However, eating spoiled blue cheese can lead to food poisoning or the accidental consumption of toxic mold, so it's important to be able to spot the difference between good and bad mold.
Firstly, it is important to keep blue cheese cold, as this will prolong the ripening process and stop it from going bad. Blue cheese should be refrigerated, and if left out on the counter, it will spoil more quickly. In general, blue cheese will last in the fridge for around three to four weeks.
When it comes to mold, not all mold is created equal. Good blue cheese should have greenish-blue veins and a body that is cream to white in color. If you spot growths that look different from the blue cheese's intended mold, it's likely a sign that the cheese has gone bad. These visible signs may include colors such as green, pink, gray, or yellow, and a texture that can be described as "fuzzy" or "slimy". If the cheese goes soft and stuff is growing on it, you should probably throw it out.
In addition to color changes, you can usually tell if blue cheese has gone bad by giving it a taste. While fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste, old cheese becomes especially biting when it starts to spoil. If you taste a bit of the blue cheese and it's too strong to enjoy, you should throw it away.
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How long does blue cheese last in the fridge?
Blue cheese is known for its signature streaks of mold and strong smell, so it can be tough to tell when it has actually gone bad. However, eating spoiled blue cheese can lead to food poisoning, so it's important to be able to spot the signs of spoilage.
When stored in the fridge, blue cheese can last for about three to four weeks. To keep it fresh for as long as possible, make sure your refrigerator temperature is not set above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't plan on using the cheese within the month, you can freeze it to prolong its life.
One of the key indicators of spoilage in blue cheese is the appearance of mold in colors such as green, pink, gray, or yellow. Good blue cheese should have blue/green mold and a cream-to-white body. If you notice any other colors of mold growing on the cheese, it's best to discard it.
Another sign of spoilage is an ammonia-like smell. Blue cheese typically has a slightly ammonia-like scent due to the production of ammonia by the blue mold. However, if this smell becomes stronger or turns musty, it's likely an indication that the cheese has gone bad.
In addition to mold and smell, changes in texture can also indicate spoilage. If the surface of the blue cheese appears slimy or fuzzy, or if the cheese has turned soft, it's best to discard it.
To summarize, blue cheese stored in the fridge is typically good for about three to four weeks. However, if you notice any signs of spoilage, such as unusual mold colors, a strong ammonia-like smell, or changes in texture, it's best to discard the cheese.
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What does blue cheese smell like when it's gone bad?
Blue cheese is known for its pungent, funky aroma, which can be off-putting to some. However, when blue cheese has gone bad, it emits an even stronger ammonia-like smell. This is caused by the growth of undesirable microorganisms, which can be dangerous to consume.
When blue cheese is fresh, it typically has a strong, sharp taste. However, as it starts to spoil, the cheese becomes increasingly biting and pungent. If the blue cheese is too strong to enjoy, it has likely gone bad. In most cases, consuming a small amount of spoiled blue cheese is not harmful, but it can cause food poisoning or the accidental ingestion of toxic mould.
The appearance of blue cheese can also indicate whether it has gone bad. Good blue cheese should have greenish-blue veins and a body that is cream to white in colour. If you notice growths that differ from this intended mold, such as fuzzy, grey, black, or pink patches, it is likely a sign of spoilage. Additionally, if the cheese develops a slimy texture or turns yellow-green, it has probably gone bad.
To prolong the freshness of blue cheese, it is essential to keep it refrigerated at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Proper storage can help maintain the quality of the cheese and prevent spoilage.
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What does blue cheese look like when it's gone bad?
Blue cheese is known for its signature streaks of blue-green mold and a pungent aroma. However, it can be challenging to tell when it has gone bad. The blue-green mold in blue cheese can turn into green, pink, or gray fuzzy mold, indicating spoilage. The cheese may also develop shiny, slimy, yellow, or pink spots caused by yeast.
The smell of blue cheese is a crucial indicator of its freshness. While it typically has a strong, pungent odor, an excessively strong ammonia-like smell indicates spoilage. A musty or fully ammonia-pungent smell means it has likely gone bad.
The texture of the cheese can also provide clues about its freshness. If the blue cheese becomes soft, it indicates a loss of acidity, making it more susceptible to the growth of harmful microorganisms.
It is important to note that blue cheese should be refrigerated to maintain its freshness. At room temperature, it can quickly spoil, and it is recommended to discard blue cheese left unrefrigerated for more than two days.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is supposed to have a strong, pungent smell and blue-green veins, but if the smell is comparable to ammonia or the veins are turning pink, brown, green, or grey, it's likely gone bad.
Bad blue cheese may have fuzzy, grey-black mold spots, glistening yellow areas, or other colors that don't belong, such as pink or brown.
Bad blue cheese will smell like ammonia. While blue cheese is supposed to have a pungent smell, if it grows too strong, it could be a sign of spoilage.
Fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste. If it's too biting or too strong to enjoy, it's likely gone bad.
