Cheese Lifespan: Block Cheese's Fridge Freshness

Cheese is a tasty and versatile treat, but it's important to know how long it lasts in the fridge to avoid food poisoning. The shelf life of cheese depends on its moisture content, with soft cheeses like mozzarella, feta, and ricotta having a shorter shelf life than harder cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and gouda. Soft cheeses will last in the fridge for about one to two weeks, while hard cheeses can last three to four weeks. Unopened hard cheeses can last for several months or even up to a year when stored in the fridge. To extend the shelf life of cheese, it's important to store it properly. This includes removing the cheese from its plastic packaging and wrapping it loosely in a breathable material like wax paper or cheese paper before placing it in an airtight container.

Hard block cheese can last for up to a year in the fridge if unopened

Hard block cheese can last for up to a year in the fridge if it is unopened. This is because hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life.

Hard cheeses are low in moisture, which makes it difficult for bacteria to flourish. This means that once opened, a package of hard cheese can last a long time—up to four weeks in the refrigerator. Unopened packages of hard cheese will last about six months, according to experts at the USDA.

To ensure your hard cheese lasts as long as possible, it is important to store it correctly. Firstly, remove the cheese from its plastic packaging. Then, wrap it loosely in a breathable material, such as wax paper or cheese paper. Finally, put the cheese in a container with an airtight lid and store it in the fridge.

It is worth noting that while hard cheese can last a long time, it is always good to check for signs of spoilage. The most obvious sign of spoilage is visible, unintentional mold. For semi-soft to hard cheese, you can simply cut underneath the mold and use the rest as usual. However, other signs that your hard cheese has gone bad include an unintentional bitter flavor, a fermented fruit taste, and a fizzy sensation on the tongue.

Opened block cheese will last 3-4 weeks in the fridge

Hard cheeses are low in moisture, which makes it difficult for bacteria to flourish. This means that once opened, a package of hard cheese can last a long time—up to four weeks in the refrigerator. To ensure your hard cheese lasts the full four weeks, follow these steps:

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

It's important to note that the shelf life of cheese depends on its moisture content. Moisture is needed for bacterial growth, so cheeses with higher moisture levels have a shorter shelf life. In contrast, cheeses with lower moisture levels will last longer as they lack the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.

Additionally, the storage method matters too. Proper storage can dramatically extend the refrigerator life of cheese. It should allow the cheese to "breathe" and release moisture while protecting it from low humidity in the fridge.

Block cheese can be frozen for up to 8 months

To freeze block cheese, it is recommended to cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. Wrap each portion tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Make sure to remove the cheese from any plastic packaging beforehand, as this can encourage mould growth by trapping moisture.

When stored in the freezer, block cheese will maintain its best quality for about 8 months, but it will remain safe to consume beyond this timeframe. It is important to note that frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, so it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

Additionally, it is important to follow proper food safety practices when handling and storing block cheese. Wash your hands and use clean utensils and work surfaces to avoid contamination. Store the cheese in the coldest part of the fridge, and always consume within the recommended timeframe, even if it looks and smells fine.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively preserve block cheese for up to 8 months in the freezer, ensuring that you always have this delicious and versatile ingredient on hand for your favourite recipes.

Soft cheeses will last 1-2 weeks in the fridge

Soft cheeses, such as ricotta, feta, mozzarella, cottage cheese, cream cheese, Brie, goat's cheese, Camembert, and blue cheese, will last for 1-2 weeks in the fridge. This is because they have a higher moisture content, which makes them more perishable than harder cheeses.

To get the most out of your soft cheese, it's important to store it properly. For cheese sold in brine, like feta or fresh mozzarella, keep it in the liquid and make sure the container's lid is secure. For blue cheese, wrap it in foil. Soft-ripened cheese, like Brie, has a delicate rind, so it needs a little more care. Wrap it in cheese paper, or parchment paper, and keep it in an airtight container.

The shelf life of soft cheese is so short that it's best to only buy cheese for the week ahead. If you want to keep soft cheese for longer, you can freeze it. However, soft cheeses don't freeze well and the texture may change.

Fresh cheeses like cottage cheese last a few weeks past their 'best by' date

Fresh cheeses like cottage cheese are highly perishable and usually last only a few weeks past their 'best by' date when stored in the refrigerator. An unopened container of cottage cheese can last for up to a week beyond its printed date. After it's been opened, it can be sealed tightly and stored in the fridge for 7 to 14 days. However, if the cheese is already past its printed date, this storage period is reduced to 3 to 7 days.

Cottage cheese should be stored in the fridge as soon as possible after buying it, and it's best to avoid leaving it on the fridge door, where the temperature fluctuates the most. Instead, it should be kept on the lower shelves and towards the back of the refrigerator for optimal storage conditions.

To identify if cottage cheese has gone bad, you can check its appearance, smell, and taste. If there is mould on the surface or the neck of the container, it should be discarded. If it has become super chunky with a layer of liquid underneath, or has an off odour, it has likely spoiled.

It's important to note that the surface of cottage cheese may be slightly yellow, which is normal for all-natural cottage cheese and depends on the time of year and the cow's diet. Additionally, some producers don't homogenize their cottage cheese, resulting in texture variations from batch to batch.

While cottage cheese can be consumed past its expiration date, it's generally recommended to finish it within two weeks of opening, even if its printed date is in the future.

Other fresh cheeses, such as cream cheese and ricotta, also fall into the category of soft cheeses and have similar shelf lives to cottage cheese.

Frequently asked questions