Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a pungent, mouldy cheese that is loved and hated in equal measure. But how long does it stay fresh? Well, that depends on how you store it. If you keep it in the fridge, an unopened packet of blue cheese can last anywhere from one to six months, depending on the packaging. Once opened, it should be consumed within three to four weeks. If you want to hang on to your blue cheese for longer, you can freeze it. Frozen blue cheese can last indefinitely, but for the best taste and texture, it shouldn't be kept for more than six months.
How Long Does Blue Cheese Stay Fresh
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Unopened Blue Cheese | 1 month to 6 months |
| Opened Blue Cheese | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Blue Cheese in Freezer | 6 months |
| Blue Cheese in Fridge | 3 to 4 degrees Celsius |
| Blue Cheese Dressing | 5 to 7 days |
| Blue Cheese Mold | Cut away 1 inch around and below the moldy area |
| Blue Cheese Smell | Ammonia-like |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese shelf life
Blue cheese is known for its pungent taste and smell, which come from the edible mould that grows on it. This mould is perfectly safe to eat, but it can sometimes be hard to tell if the mould on your blue cheese has gone bad.
Unopened Blue Cheese
Unopened blue cheese will usually have a sell-by date on the packaging, which is a good starting point for judging its shelf life. The shelf life of unopened blue cheese can range from one to six months, depending on the type of packaging. If it's wrapped in cheese paper and inside a carton package, it will likely have a shorter shelf life than blue cheese that is sealed airtight. In general, blue cheeses like Stilton, Roquefort, and Gorgonzola can have a shelf life of several months when unopened and refrigerated properly.
Opened Blue Cheese
Once the package of blue cheese is opened, it's best to finish the cheese within three to four weeks. This is just a guideline, and the cheese will usually be good for a week or two past this date. However, the taste and texture may change, with the cheese losing some of its sharp flavour and becoming more crumbly.
Frozen Blue Cheese
Blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life. To freeze blue cheese, cut it into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen blue cheese will maintain its best quality for about six months but will remain safe to eat beyond that. When thawed, frozen blue cheese is best suited for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, and casseroles as it may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour.
Signs of Spoilage
It's important to check blue cheese for signs of spoilage before consuming it. If the cheese smells sour, rancid, or like ammonia, it has likely gone bad. Additionally, if there is fuzzy grey or black mould on the cheese, or if the colour of the flesh has turned pink, green, brown, or yellow, it should be discarded.
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Blue cheese storage
Blue cheese is a pungent variety of cheese with a strong smell and taste. It is created by the presence of edible mould, which is perfectly safe to eat. However, blue cheese can still go bad, and knowing how to store it is essential to keeping it fresh.
Refrigerator Storage
Blue cheese can be kept in the refrigerator for up to several months if it is unopened and stored properly. To ensure maximum freshness, the refrigerator temperature should be set below 40°F (4°C). It is best stored on the bottom shelf, as this is usually the coldest part of the fridge. Additionally, double-wrapping the cheese can extend its freshness. First, wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper, then place plastic wrap or foil over it to prevent it from drying out. If you are concerned about the cheese absorbing other scents or flavours in the fridge, you can place it in an airtight container.
Once the package is opened, it is recommended to finish the cheese within 3 to 4 weeks. If you notice any mould on the cheese, cut away at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around the affected area, ensuring you do not touch the mould with the knife.
Freezer Storage
To extend the shelf life of blue cheese, it can be stored in the freezer. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound (225 g) each and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a freezer bag. Frozen blue cheese can last indefinitely, but for the best taste and texture, it should be consumed within six months. When thawed, the cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, making it more suitable for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, or casseroles.
Signs of Spoilage
Blue cheese has a distinct smell, and if it starts to smell like ammonia or stale, it has gone bad. Additionally, if there is any fuzzy grey or black mould on the cheese, it should be discarded. Normally, the flesh of blue cheese is white or creamy, so if it turns pink, green, brown, or yellow, it should be thrown out.
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Blue cheese mould
Blue cheese is a beloved variety of cheese with a distinct pungent taste and smell. It is created by the introduction of an edible mould, which is safe to eat and gives the cheese its unique flavour profile. However, it is important to distinguish between the desirable blue mould and other harmful types of mould that can develop on blue cheese.
Blue cheese can last for a long time, depending on how it is stored. The key factors are temperature, humidity, and packaging. In terms of temperature, it is recommended to keep blue cheese in the coldest part of the refrigerator, ideally below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The lower temperature slows down bacterial growth and helps maintain freshness. Additionally, humidity plays a role in preserving blue cheese. To prevent the cheese from drying out, it is advisable to use wax or parchment paper for the initial wrapping, followed by a layer of plastic wrap or foil. This combination helps maintain moisture and protects the cheese from excess air exposure.
The packaging of blue cheese also influences its shelf life. Unopened blue cheese can last for several months, with a typical range of one to six months, depending on the packaging. Airtight sealing significantly extends the shelf life compared to cheese paper and carton packaging. It is worth noting that even after the "best by" date, blue cheese can remain edible for a couple of extra weeks, although its quality may gradually decline. Once the package is opened, it is recommended to consume the cheese within three to four weeks.
While blue cheese itself has blue mould as a desirable characteristic, other types of mould can indicate spoilage. If grey or black fuzzy mould appears on the cheese, it is no longer safe for consumption and should be discarded. Additionally, changes in the colour of the flesh, such as pink, green, brown, or yellow hues, indicate spoilage. Along with visual cues, olfactory clues can also help determine if blue cheese has gone bad. A strong ammonia-like smell, reminiscent of old socks, suggests that the cheese has spoiled. Trust your nose, as the ammonia odour can be quite distinct and off-putting.
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Blue cheese smell
Blue cheese is known for its pungent smell, which is caused by the edible mould that gives it its distinct scent and taste. While the smell of blue cheese is not to everyone's liking, it is perfectly safe to eat. However, blue cheese can go bad, and one way to tell if it has gone bad is by its smell.
Blue cheese that has gone bad will have an ammonia-like smell. Blue cheese naturally has a distinct, pungent odour, but when it goes bad, the ammonia smell will be strong and sharp. Some have described the smell of spoiled blue cheese as similar to stale or sour ammonia, or even old socks. If your blue cheese smells like this, it has likely gone bad and should be discarded.
The mould in blue cheese is what gives it its distinctive smell and taste, and this mould is safe to consume. However, if other types of mould are present, this is a sign that the cheese has spoiled and should be thrown away. Fuzzy grey or black mould, for example, indicates that the cheese is no longer safe to eat. Additionally, if the colour of the flesh of the cheese has changed to pink, green, brown, or yellow, it should be discarded.
To prolong the shelf life of blue cheese, it is important to store it properly. Blue cheese should be wrapped properly to ensure it stays fresh for as long as possible. It can be double-wrapped, first in wax or parchment paper, and then with a layer of plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out. It should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the bottom shelf, to maintain its freshness. The refrigerator temperature should be set below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Properly stored, blue cheese can last for several months when unopened and retain its quality for a couple of extra weeks. Once opened, it is recommended to finish the cheese within 3 to 4 weeks.
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Blue cheese texture
Blue cheese is known for its pungent taste and scent, which is provided by the edible mould that grows within it. This mould is perfectly safe to eat and is what gives blue cheese its distinctive character. However, other types of mould can grow on blue cheese, which can indicate that it has gone bad.
Blue cheese that has gone bad may exhibit changes in texture, becoming overly dry, crumbly, or slimy. If you see any patches of fuzzy grey or black mould, discard the cheese. The native blue mould is not fuzzy. If the flesh of the cheese has turned pink, green, brown, or yellow, it should also be thrown out.
Blue cheese can last for a long time if stored correctly. It should be wrapped properly to ensure that it will stay fresh as long as possible. First, wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper, then place plastic wrap or foil over the paper to ensure that it won't dry out. If you are freezing the cheese, place the double-wrapped piece into a plastic freezer bag to protect it from freezer burn. Blue cheese should be stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, as the lower section is usually the coldest.
The ideal refrigerator temperature for storing blue cheese is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If stored at this temperature, blue cheese can last for several months when unopened and properly refrigerated. Once opened, blue cheese should be consumed within 3 to 4 weeks. If stored in the freezer, blue cheese can last indefinitely but is best consumed within 6 months for optimal taste and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese can stay fresh for a long time, depending on how it is stored. If unopened and refrigerated, it can last for several months. Once opened, it should be consumed within 3 to 4 weeks.
To extend the shelf life of blue cheese, it is recommended to wrap it in wax or parchment paper first and then cover it with plastic wrap or foil. It should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, usually the bottom shelf, to keep it fresh for as long as possible.
Yes, blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them in a freezer bag. Frozen blue cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months but can be kept safely beyond that.
Blue cheese has a distinct ammonia-like smell, and if it starts to smell sour, rancid, or stale, it has likely gone bad. Additionally, look for any fuzzy grey or black mold, altered colour of the flesh (pink, green, brown, or yellow), and changes in texture such as dryness, crumbly, or slimy consistency.
Consuming spoiled blue cheese may pose health risks, especially for individuals with a compromised immune system, pregnant women, the elderly, or those with certain health conditions. If you have any doubts about the freshness of the cheese, it is better to discard it.
