Cheese Storage: How Long Does It Last?

Cheese is a versatile kitchen staple with a rich flavour and a relatively long shelf life. The length of time cheese lasts in the fridge depends on the type of cheese and how it is stored. Soft cheeses, such as feta, mozzarella and brie, have a high moisture content and are therefore more perishable, lasting around one to two weeks in the fridge. Harder cheeses, such as cheddar and parmesan, can last up to four weeks in the fridge and even longer if unopened. Proper storage is key to extending the shelf life of cheese, with experts recommending that cheese is wrapped in a breathable material, such as wax paper, and stored in an airtight container.

How long do hard cheeses keep?

Hard cheeses, such as aged cheddar, aged gouda, and Parmigiano Reggiano, last a long time because they have low moisture content, which makes it difficult for bacteria to flourish. Unopened packages of hard cheeses can last about six months in the refrigerator, according to the USDA. Once opened, a package of hard cheese can last about four weeks in the refrigerator.

Hard cheeses can be stored in the refrigerator by removing the cheese from its plastic packaging and wrapping it loosely in cheese paper or wax paper. Then, place the cheese in a container with an airtight lid.

Hard cheeses can also be frozen. To do this, cut the block into dish-sized chunks, wrap and package the cheese, and place it in the freezer. When you are ready to use the frozen cheese, defrost it in the refrigerator.

Hard cheeses can be kept for a long time, but eventually, they will spoil. Signs that hard cheese has gone bad include the presence of mold that is not natural to the cheese, a sour smell, or a deterioration in taste.

How long do semi-hard cheeses keep?

Semi-hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, Gruyère, Comté, aged Manchego, and Monterey Jack, have a longer shelf life than soft cheeses as they contain less moisture. This means that bacteria are less likely to grow on them.

Semi-hard cheeses will last two to three weeks in the fridge, according to Gordon Edgar, a cheesemonger at Rainbow Grocery Cooperative in San Francisco. To make your cheese last the full two to three weeks, follow these steps:

• Remove the cheese from its plastic packaging.
• Wrap it loosely in a pliable yet breathable material, such as wax paper or cheese paper.
• Put the cheese in a container with an airtight lid.

The U.S. Department of Health says that soft cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, brie, or fresh mozzarella should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours. Semi-hard cheeses, on the other hand, can be left out for up to four hours, according to the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

How long do semi-soft cheeses keep?

Semi-soft cheeses, such as brie, feta, ricotta, and cream cheese, have a shorter shelf life than harder cheeses. This is because they have a higher moisture content, which provides an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.

Semi-soft cheeses can be kept in the fridge for one to three weeks if they are properly stored. To properly store semi-soft cheeses, you should:

• Remove the cheese from its plastic packaging.
• Wrap it loosely in a breathable material, such as wax paper or cheese paper.
• Put the cheese in a container with an airtight lid.

You can also freeze semi-soft cheeses, but this is not recommended as it will affect their texture and consistency.

How long do soft cheeses keep?

Soft cheeses are highly perishable and have a shorter shelf life than hard cheeses. This is because they have a higher moisture content, which provides an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Soft cheeses should be consumed within one to two weeks of opening, while they are at their prime. However, the quality and taste will start to decline as soon as the cheese is cut.

Soft cheeses include varieties such as ricotta, feta, mozzarella, cottage cheese, cream cheese, brie, camembert, Monterey jack, muenster, havarti, and gorgonzola.

To extend the shelf life of soft cheeses, proper storage is essential. They should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F or lower, in a tightly closed container or wrapped in plastic wrap to keep out moisture and contaminants. Soft cheeses should not be left out at room temperature for extended periods, as the higher temperature will cause the cheese to degrade quickly.

It is not recommended to freeze soft cheeses, as the texture and consistency will change. However, if necessary, they can be frozen for up to six months in a freezer-safe container.

Signs that soft cheese has gone bad include the growth of blue or green mold, darkening or hardening around the edges, and an unpleasant odor. If mold is present, the entire product should be discarded, unlike hard cheeses where the moldy section can be cut off.

What are the signs cheese has gone bad?

The first thing to remember is that cheese is a living thing, much like fresh produce. The cultures or moulds that give cheeses their distinctive flavour are living organisms that can die and start rotting. So, it's best to trust your senses, especially sight, smell and taste.

Mould

The most obvious sign of spoilage is visible, unintentional mould. For semi-soft to hard cheese, cut underneath the mould and use it as usual. However, throw out high-moisture cheese with visible mould because it can spread quickly. If you spot mould that isn't usually on a soft cheese, throw the whole cheese away.

Smell

If a mild cheese, like Monterey Jack or American, smells strong, like blue cheese or Limburger, then it's time to throw it away. Cheeses that are naturally pungent, like blue cheese or Camembert, will have a strong ammonia smell to them once they go bad, similar to cat urine. If you are familiar with the smell of a favourite cheese, and the cheese you have smells like a much more concentrated version, it's probably a safe bet that it's no longer safe to eat.

Taste

Many cheeses have very strong flavours, but a connoisseur will still find a pungent cheese pleasant. When cheese has gone bad, it will taste overly bitter or sour, or have a musty quality to it, like drinking water from a mouldy pipe. And if a mild cheese suddenly has some character to it, don't assume you've just aged your own cheese—throw it away.

Appearance

It's always good to check the appearance of cheese before purchasing it and shortly after. If you start noticing patches of different types of fuzz in different colours or textures, that's a sign that the cheese has gone bad.

Other signs

Other signs you should toss cheese include an unintentional bitter flavour, fermented fruit taste, and a fizzy sensation on the tongue.

Frequently asked questions