Blue Cheese Blocks: How Long Do They Last?

Blue cheese is a pungent, semi-soft cheese with a striking appearance and bold flavour. It has a unique character, with blue or blue-green veins of mould throughout its ivory-coloured body. But how long does a block of blue cheese last?

Unopened blue cheese can last for 6-8 months

Firstly, make sure it is always refrigerated. Leaving blue cheese unrefrigerated can cause it to spoil more quickly. In fact, if you leave it out on the counter for more than two days, it's best to throw it away.

Secondly, pay attention to the packaging. If your blue cheese comes wrapped in cheese paper and inside a carton package, it will likely have a shorter shelf life than if it is sealed airtight. The type of packaging will also determine the best way to store your blue cheese after it has been opened.

If your blue cheese comes pre-packed, you can continue using the original wrap after opening the package. If you need to repackage the blue cheese, wrap it with cheese paper, wax paper, or parchment paper, and then place it in a freezer bag. Don't wrap it too tightly, as the cheese needs to breathe. If you don't have any of these options, a plastic bag or airtight container will also work.

Finally, store your blue cheese in the right place in the fridge. The colder the blue cheese, the longer it will stay fresh. The lower section of the fridge is usually the coldest, so the bottom shelf or a drawer at the bottom is ideal.

Opened blue cheese should be consumed within 1-2 weeks

Blue cheese is a pungent, semi-soft cheese with a distinct aroma and striking blue veins. It has a shorter shelf life than other aged cheeses like parmesan, but it can be kept for longer than fresh cheeses such as ricotta.

Once a block of blue cheese is opened, it should be consumed within 1-2 weeks. This is because the presence of air and moisture encourages the growth of both the desired moulds specific to blue cheese and potentially harmful bacteria. To extend its life, the cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in parchment or wax paper, and then placed in a plastic bag or airtight container to retain moisture and prevent cross-contamination.

The key to knowing if blue cheese has gone bad is to use your senses. Spoiled cheese will have an off smell, different from the naturally strong, tangy odour of blue cheese. It may also have visible signs of pink, green or black mould that differs from the characteristic blue or green veins, and a significant change in texture, such as becoming excessively hard or slimy. If any of these signs are present, the cheese should be discarded.

Blue cheese can also be frozen for long-term preservation. To do this, wrap the cheese in heavy-duty aluminium foil or parchment paper, then place it in a freezer bag to protect it from freezer burn. Label the bag with the freezing date. Frozen blue cheese can last for several months but might experience a change in texture, becoming more crumbly and less creamy, so it is best used in cooked dishes.

Blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life

Freezing blue cheese can extend its shelf life indefinitely, but for the best quality, it should be consumed within six months. After defrosting, it can be kept in the refrigerator for an additional three to four days. However, it is important to note that freezing blue cheese can affect its texture and taste. It may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, so it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, casseroles, and stews.

To ensure the best quality of frozen blue cheese, it is recommended to store it in the freezer as soon as possible after purchasing. Additionally, proper wrapping and storage are crucial to maintaining freshness and preventing freezer burn. When defrosting, it is best to thaw the cheese in the refrigerator for a gradual process.

Freezing blue cheese is an effective way to extend its shelf life, but it may alter the texture and taste. Therefore, it is important to consider the intended use of the cheese before freezing, as it may be better suited for cooked dishes rather than being enjoyed on its own.

Blue cheese should be stored in the refrigerator

Blue cheese is a distinct type of cheese known for its pungent aroma and striking blue veins. It has a unique flavour profile, a distinct texture and appearance, and contains edible mould. These aspects define the cheese's identity and influence its culinary uses.

The shelf life of blue cheese varies depending on whether it is sold in a whole wheel, pre-crumbled, or cut into wedges. An unopened whole wheel of blue cheese can last for several weeks beyond its "sell by" date if stored properly in the refrigerator, often up to three to four weeks. Once a wedge of blue cheese is opened, it should be consumed within one to two weeks.

The key to extending the life of blue cheese lies in proper storage. Blue cheese should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 35°F and 45°F (2°C to 7°C). The lower the temperature, the longer it will stay fresh. The refrigerator's crisper drawer is a good place to store blue cheese as it offers a more consistent environment.

To store blue cheese in the refrigerator, it should be wrapped well so that it doesn't dry out, but it should also have some breathing room. The best way to wrap blue cheese is to first wrap it 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. If you're concerned about the cheese picking up the scent or flavours of other items in your refrigerator, place it in an airtight container after it's been wrapped for additional protection.

Blue cheese can be frozen, which will extend its shelf life significantly. To freeze blue cheese, wrap it in parchment or wax paper, followed by a layer of plastic wrap or a plastic bag to prevent freezer burn. When thawing, this should be done gradually in the refrigerator. The texture of the cheese might become more crumbly and less creamy, making it more suitable for cooking purposes such as baking, rather than for fresh cheese platters.

Blue cheese can be identified as spoiled by its smell, colour, texture and taste

Blue cheese is known for its bold and tangy flavour, with a pungent aroma and striking blue veins. It has a distinct smell, and while it's safe to eat, it's not to everyone's taste. Like any other cheese, blue cheese can go bad, and it's important to know how to spot this.

Smell

Blue cheese has a strong scent, but it changes as it starts to go bad. If it has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled. It's a good idea to smell blue cheese when you've just bought it so you can compare it to its fresh smell.

Colour

Fresh blue cheese has blue or green mould in it, which is perfectly safe to eat. However, you want to pay attention to the colour of the creamy part of the cheese. It's normally a white, beige, or yellow shade. If you notice that it's started to turn pink, brown, or green, your blue cheese has likely spoiled.

Texture

In addition to colour changes, study the cheese to see if its surface appears slimy or fuzzy, and discard it if you notice changes in texture. Fresh blue cheese has a firm, crumbly texture. If it becomes slimy or excessively soft, this is a sign of spoilage.

Taste

If your blue cheese still smells the same and hasn't changed colour, you can usually tell if it's 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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