Andy Montoya
Goat cheese is a name for all cheeses made using goat's milk, and there are many types, including soft, semi-soft, semi-hard, and hard varieties. The shelf life of goat cheese depends on its original moisture content, how it's been stored, whether it's been opened, the temperature it's been stored at, and other variables. Unopened goat cheese should be consumed before the expiration date provided by the manufacturer. Once opened, fresh goat cheese will typically last about 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. If stored in the freezer, goat cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months but will remain safe to eat beyond that time. Goat cheese that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goat cheese shelf life | Unopened goat cheese will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator. |
| Once opened, it will last about 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. | |
| Goat cheese can be frozen and will maintain its best quality for about 6 months. | |
| If kept constantly frozen at 0°F, it will remain safe indefinitely. | |
| Storage | Goat cheese requires refrigeration and proper wrapping. |
| Soft, spreadable goat cheese should be kept in airtight containers. | |
| To extend the shelf life, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. | |
| For better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating. | |
| Spoilage | Goat cheese going bad will develop an off smell and appearance. |
| If mold appears on the goat cheese, discard it entirely. | |
| If the cheese has been stored at room temperature, it will speed up the aging process. |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese storage
Goat cheese is a name for all cheeses made using goat's milk, and there are many varieties. This means that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how long it lasts after the sell-by date. The shelf life of goat cheese depends on how it has been stored, whether it has been opened, the temperature it has been stored at, and other variables.
Goat cheese typically has a shelf life of up to two weeks after opening. If you want to extend the shelf life of goat cheese, you can freeze it. Wrap the cheese tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor; it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles. Properly stored, it will maintain its best quality for about 6 months but will remain safe to eat beyond that time.
To maximize the shelf life of fresh goat cheese after opening, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
If your goat cheese is unopened, note the expiration date provided by the manufacturer. Once the seal is broken, immediately write the current date on the package or on a piece of tape affixed to the container. If the goat cheese is transferred to an airtight container or a vacuum-sealed bag for storage, the label must migrate with it. Place the container or bag in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature to maintain its quality.
Goat cheese that is going bad will typically develop an off smell and appearance. If mold appears on the goat cheese, discard it entirely. If your cheese is hard or semi-hard, you can cut off the mold and some extra cheese around it, and eat the rest.
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Signs of spoilage
Goat cheese is like most other foods when it comes to spoilage. Your eyes and nose will often tell you when its lifespan is up. However, spoilage bacteria and pathogens can be present in cheese, and while the former may make you gag, it's unlikely to make you sick. Pathogens, on the other hand, can make you very ill, and these can't be detected by sight, smell, or taste.
With fresh goat cheese, it can be tough to identify signs of spoilage. The soft and spreadable kind that most recipes call for can be harder to judge than harder cheeses. Checking the best-by date is a good starting point, but this is just an estimate of how long the cheese will retain its best flavour and it's not an expiration date. Fresh, soft goat cheese is usually good for up to a week in the refrigerator, and some sources say it may last up to 2 weeks.
If the cheese has been stored at room temperature for 2 hours or more, it should be discarded. If it starts to turn colour, the texture breaks down, or it smells "off", then it's not good to eat. If it's still sealed and looks, smells, and feels like goat cheese, then it's probably fine. If there's any doubt, you can taste a small amount – if it tastes nasty, spit it out and discard the cheese.
Other signs of spoilage include a lack of goat cheese's typical flavour. If it tastes bland or faded, it may have been exposed to too much light, which can give cheese a stale flavour. Goat cheese stored in a transparent container is more susceptible to light oxidation, so it's best to store it in a solid-coloured airtight container.
Some moulds on cheese are normal and even desirable. Bloomy rind cheeses like Brie and Camembert have a velvety white covering on the rind that is edible. However, orange, rust red, blue, or green moulds are not fine and indicate spoilage. Slimy mould or pinkish, reddish patches on fresh cheeses like mozzarella or double/triple creme cheeses mean they should be thrown out.
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Freezing goat cheese
Goat cheese thaws quickly and can sometimes be cubed or crumbled when it's still quite frozen. You can also grate it straight from the freezer. Freezing goat cheese may change its texture, but it will still taste the same. It's worth noting that not every recipe will qualify for the grated frozen goat cheese technique. For example, you wouldn't want to use grated goat cheese in dishes like strawberry goat cheese bruschetta because you want the cheese soft, creamy, and spreadable.
One person who froze Costco's Apple Pie goat cheese said they had "never had a problem with the freezing or defrosting, taste and texture [were] no noticeable difference". Another person said they had been served frozen goat cheese a couple of times and that it was "quite good".
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Goat cheese rinds
Whether or not goat's cheese is still edible after its sell-by date depends on several factors, including how it has been stored, whether it has been opened, the temperature it has been stored at, and other variables. If the cheese has started to turn colour, its texture has broken down, or it smells "off", then it is not good to eat. However, if it is still sealed and resembles goat's cheese in terms of smell, look, and feel, then it is likely fine to consume.
Goat's cheese continues to ripen and age after purchase, and its taste and texture will change over time. For example, goat's cheese that is soft when purchased may become much firmer if wrapped and stored for too long, and its taste will become stronger. As long as the cheese still smells, looks, and tastes acceptable, it is probably safe to eat.
Now, when it comes to goat cheese rinds specifically, most rinds are edible unless they are made of wax. Rinds are formed naturally or by the cheesemaker to protect the cheese and sometimes to flavour it. They provide a textural contrast to the cheese, but whether or not you choose to eat them is a matter of personal preference. Some people always eat the rind, while others avoid harder rinds on cheeses that have been aged for a long time, such as Parmigiano Reggiano.
Some cheeses have flavours added to the rind, such as herbs and spices, and these rinds are intended to be eaten and can be quite tasty. Common examples include herbs and spices, espresso, and lavender. Bloomy rind cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and Robiola have a soft white mould rind that is intended to be eaten and adds a mushroomy flavour to the cheese. Washed rinds, on the other hand, have been washed in a culture solution, resulting in a sticky, orangey, and rather smelly rind.
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Goat cheese texture
Goat cheese, also known as Chèvre, is a versatile cheese with a wide range of flavours and textures. The texture of goat cheese can vary from crumbly to creamy, with a soft, almost spreadable consistency. When purchased, goat cheese may be quite soft, but as it ages, its texture becomes firmer, and its flavour stronger. The process of aging intensifies the cheese's earthy and tangy nuances.
Fresh goat cheese never develops a rind, while aged variants may have natural or waxed rinds. Harder cheeses, such as those ripened with white mould, are coated in a fluffy jacket, resembling Camembert or Brie. The texture of goat cheese can also be smooth and creamy, creating a distinct sensation on the palate.
The process of ripening transforms the texture of goat cheese from crumbly to creamy. This transformation is attributed to the breakdown of proteins by bacteria mould (Penicillium candidum). The longer these cheeses ripen, the runnier they become as the curds liquify. The high moisture content of the cheese contributes to its creamy texture.
Goat cheese can be used in various dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, or as a stuffing. Its texture can be modified by freezing it for a brief period to firm it up. The outside layer can then be crumbled, while the inside layer remains soft and spreadable.
The texture of goat cheese is an essential aspect of its character, providing a unique sensory experience. Its versatility in texture and flavour makes it a popular cheese worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on several factors such as the type of goat cheese, how it has been stored, whether it has been opened, and the temperature it has been stored at.
Goat cheese that is going bad will usually have an off smell and appearance. If you see any mould that is not native to the cheese, such as green fuzz on a white rind, it has gone bad. If the cheese is sealed, and still looks, smells and feels like goat cheese, it is likely fine to eat.
Goat cheese requires refrigeration and proper wrapping. Soft, spreadable goat cheeses should be kept in airtight containers. If you wish to store goat cheese for a long time, it can be frozen.
Goat cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months in the freezer, but will remain safe to eat indefinitely if kept at a constant temperature of 0°F.
Unopened goat cheese will usually have an expiration date provided by the manufacturer, which should be noted.
