Patrick Oconnell
The shelf life of cheese past its best-by date depends on the type of cheese and how it has been stored. Harder, aged cheeses will last longer than softer cheeses due to their lower moisture content. Soft cheeses tend to spoil quickly and should be consumed within one to two weeks after their expiration date. Semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses have a timeframe of about two to four weeks. Harder cheeses can last four to six months in the fridge if stored correctly and can be safely consumed even if moldy—just cut off the mold! Sealed cheese can last years past its best-by date, but always use your senses to check for spoilage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Hard cheeses last longer than soft cheeses |
| Packaging | Sealed cheese can last years past the best-by date |
| Storage | Store at a temperature below 40°F (4°C) |
| Wrapping | Wrap using wax, parchment, or cheese paper to maintain moisture |
| Expiration date | No regulations in the US; use judgment and senses to check for spoilage |
| Spoilage | Look for mold, odd odors, slimy texture, or sour flavor |
| Freezing | Frozen cheese will taste different |
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What You'll Learn
- Hard cheeses can be eaten beyond their best-by date if stored correctly
- Soft cheeses are more prone to spoilage and should be consumed within 1-2 weeks of opening
- Semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses have a shorter shelf life than harder cheeses due to higher moisture content
- Sealed cheese can last years past its best-by date as oxygen is key to food spoilage
- Signs of spoilage include odd moulds, smells, tastes, and textures
Hard cheeses can be eaten beyond their best-by date if stored correctly
The safety of eating cheese beyond its best-by date depends on the type of cheese and how it has been stored. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. Hard cheeses that haven't been opened can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge.
Oxygen is the key element that makes food go bad. So, if hard cheese is sealed, it will last years past its best-by date. If the cheese has developed mold on the surface, cut off the mold and the rest is good to eat. This largely only applies to hard cheeses. If you find mold on soft cheese or bread or meat, you should throw out the whole thing. Hard cheeses are preserved food, so they work with slightly different rules, like pickles or cured/dried foods.
Naturally-aged cheddar cheese can continue to age and sharpen in your fridge if stored properly in an unopened package below 40°F. However, for stirred curd cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, and Pepper Jack, it's not recommended to eat them after the code date due to their higher moisture content. Always check for signs of spoilage such as mold, odd odors, slimy texture, or sour flavor before consuming any cheese past its best-by date. When in doubt, it's better to be safe and discard the cheese.
If you are checking the expiration date on a hard cheese, check for molding on the surface, noticeable squashy spots with darkening, sudden ballooning of the packaging, or horrible smells. If it has gone squashy, the package has ballooned, or it smells bad, throw it out.
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Soft cheeses are more prone to spoilage and should be consumed within 1-2 weeks of opening
Soft cheeses are highly perishable and should be consumed within one to two weeks of opening. This is because soft cheeses have a high moisture content, which makes them more susceptible to bacterial growth and spoilage.
Hard cheeses, on the other hand, have a much longer shelf life and can last for several months in the fridge due to their lower moisture content. They can even be safely consumed beyond their "best by" date if properly stored, as indicated by one source citing an instance of consuming a sealed Gouda cheese purchased in 2006, 11 years past its expiration!
It is important to note that the shelf life of cheese can vary depending on the type of cheese and storage conditions. For example, semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses have a shorter shelf life than hard cheeses but can still last for several weeks if properly stored.
To extend the shelf life of soft cheeses, it is recommended to store them properly in the fridge at a temperature below 40°F (4°C). Additionally, wrapping them with wax, parchment, or cheese paper can help maintain their moisture and freshness.
It is always advisable to use your senses to determine if a cheese has gone bad. Signs of spoilage include mould, odd odours, a slimy texture, or a sour flavour. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to discard the cheese, even if it is before the "best by" date.
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Semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses have a shorter shelf life than harder cheeses due to higher moisture content
The shelf life of cheese depends on various factors, including the type of cheese, how it's stored, and the degree of spoilage. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have longer shelf lives than softer varieties due to their lower moisture content. The manufacturing time for harder cheeses is also longer, which contributes to their longevity.
Semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses, on the other hand, have shorter shelf lives than harder cheeses. This is primarily due to their higher moisture content. The extra moisture provides an ideal environment for microbial growth, accelerating the spoilage process. Additionally, the shorter ripening period of semi-soft cheeses, typically between 30 and 90 days, further contributes to their reduced shelf life.
The texture and density of semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses also play a role in their shorter shelf life. These cheeses have a softer texture than hard cheeses, making them more susceptible to bacterial growth and spoilage. Semi-hard cheeses, such as cheddar and Swiss cheese, have a dense yet slightly springy texture that can be sliced, grated, or cubed. However, their softer nature compared to hard cheeses makes them more perishable.
The proper storage of semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses is crucial to maximizing their shelf life. Unlike hard cheeses, which benefit from being wrapped tightly, semi-hard and semi-soft varieties should be stored in their natural liquid in a plastic container. This storage method helps maintain consistent humidity and prevents the growth of unwanted bacteria. Additionally, storing these cheeses in the refrigerator is essential, as they are more sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
In summary, semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses have shorter shelf lives than harder cheeses due to their higher moisture content, shorter ripening periods, and softer textures. Proper storage methods, such as using natural liquids and refrigeration, can help extend their freshness. However, consumers should always check for signs of spoilage, such as mould, odd odours, or unusual textures, and use their best judgment before consuming any cheese past its best-by date.
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Sealed cheese can last years past its best-by date as oxygen is key to food spoilage
The shelf life of cheese past its best-by date depends on several factors, including the type of cheese, storage methods, and individual preferences. While soft cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, and ricotta generally last only 1-2 weeks in the fridge after opening, hard cheeses can last much longer, even without refrigeration.
Oxygen plays a crucial role in food spoilage, and sealed cheese can indeed last years beyond its best-by date. Anaerobic bacteria, which require oxygen to thrive, pose a significant risk to food safety. By limiting oxygen exposure through vacuum sealing or airtight packaging, cheese can be preserved for extended periods.
One Reddit user shared their experience of consuming vacuum-sealed mozzarella loaves and Asiago cheese several years past their best-by dates without any issues. Another user recounted finding a sealed package of Gouda cheese from 2006, which, despite having mold, was still safe to consume after removing the affected portions.
However, it is important to exercise caution and use one's judgment when consuming cheese past its best-by date. Proper storage is essential, and temperatures below 40°F (4°C) significantly reduce the rate at which bacteria multiply, thereby decreasing the risk of spoilage. Additionally, regularly inspecting cheese for signs of mold, odd odors, or textural changes is crucial. While hard cheeses can have mold cut off, soft cheeses with mold should be discarded entirely.
In summary, while sealed cheese can last years beyond its best-by date due to the absence of oxygen, individual discretion, proper storage, and careful inspection for spoilage are vital to ensure the cheese's safety and quality.
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Signs of spoilage include odd moulds, smells, tastes, and textures
The "best by" date on cheese is a guideline for quality rather than safety. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda are usually safe to eat long past their expiration date if properly stored and show no signs of spoilage. On the other hand, soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert have a shorter shelf life. Fresh cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese are highly perishable and typically last only a few weeks past their 'best by' date.
The cultures or moulds that give cheeses their distinctive flavour are living organisms that can die and start rotting. Some moulds added to cheese to create their rind, change their colour, taste, or texture will continue to grow but that doesn't mean the cheese is unhealthy. Naturally occurring moulds that grow after the "best by" date can be scraped or cut off. However, some moulds like P. roqueforti, which is used in cheese manufacture, can also act as spoilage agents on cheeses where mould growth is undesirable, such as cheddar.
It is important to note that some people are more sensitive to spoiled food than others. If you have a compromised immune system, are pregnant, elderly, or have certain health conditions, it is advisable to be cautious and avoid consuming foods that show any signs of spoilage. Proper storage can also help extend the shelf life of cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
The safety of eating cheese after its best-by date depends on the type of cheese and how it's been stored. Harder, aged cheeses can last longer four to six months if stored correctly in the fridge. Soft cheeses tend to spoil more quickly than hard cheeses and typically last one to two weeks in the fridge.
Signs of spoilage include mould, odd odours, a slimy texture, or a sour flavour. If the cheese is sealed and smells fine when you open it, it is likely safe to consume.
Cheese should be stored at a safe fridge temperature, ideally below 40°F (4°C). It can be wrapped in wax, parchment, or cheese paper to help maintain its moisture. For soft and semi-soft cheeses, consider placing the wrapped cheese inside a Ziploc bag to limit airflow and keep odours out.
In the US, there are no specific regulations for date marking on cheese. Best-by and expiration dates are generally arbitrary and do not always indicate that the cheese has gone bad. It is important to use your judgment and inspect the cheese for any signs of spoilage.
