Blue Cheese Crumbles: How Long Do They Last?

Blue cheese is a pungent, semi-soft cheese with a unique appearance and a strong flavour. It's made with cultures of the mould Penicillium, which is perfectly safe to eat. But how long does it last once the package is opened? The answer depends on how it's stored. If it's left out at room temperature, blue cheese should be discarded after two hours. When refrigerated, an opened package of blue cheese crumbles will last for about five to seven days. To extend its shelf life, it's best to freeze blue cheese.

Blue cheese crumbles last 5-7 days in the fridge

Blue cheese is a pungent, edible mould that is perfectly safe to eat. However, like any other cheese, it can go bad. To maximise the shelf life of blue cheese crumbles, keep the package tightly sealed and refrigerated at all times. The colder the blue cheese, the longer it will stay fresh, so consider storing it in the drawers at the bottom of your fridge, as this will keep the temperature stable.

Blue cheese crumbles will generally last for about 5-7 days in the fridge. If you leave it out on the counter, it will spoil more quickly. In most cases, blue cheese will go bad after just a few days at room temperature. If it's been left out for more than two hours, it's best to throw it away.

If you want to keep blue cheese crumbles for longer, you can freeze them. Place the original packaging in a freezer bag and put it in the freezer before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed. Frozen blue cheese is safe to eat indefinitely, but for best taste and texture, it shouldn't be kept frozen for more than six months.

To tell if blue cheese has gone bad, smell it. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but this will change as it starts to spoil. If it has an ammonia-like smell, it's probably bad. You can also look at the colour of the cheese. Fresh blue cheese has blue or green mould, but the creamy part should be white, beige, or yellow. If this has turned pink, brown, or green, the cheese has likely spoiled. If the surface appears slimy or fuzzy, throw it away.

They can be frozen to last longer

Blue cheese crumbles can be frozen to extend their shelf life. When stored in the refrigerator, blue cheese crumbles will typically last for about 5 to 7 days. However, if frozen, they can maintain their best quality for about 6 to 8 months.

Freezing blue cheese is a simple process and can be done by following these steps:

• Cut the blue cheese into smaller pieces if you have a large block. Smaller pieces will thaw more quickly when you need to use them.
• Wrap the blue cheese tightly in two layers of cling film, making sure to remove any excess air.
• Place the wrapped blue cheese in an airtight container or a freezer bag. Using a freezer bag can help to keep the cheese airtight and retain its flavour for longer.
• Label the container or freezer bag with the date of freezing.
• Place the container or bag in the freezer.

It is important to note that freezing may alter the taste and texture of blue cheese. The cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its sharp flavour. Therefore, it is recommended to use thawed blue cheese in cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

Blue cheese is spoiled when it has an ammonia-like smell

Blue cheese is a pungent and divisive food, but one that is perfectly safe to eat when fresh. However, it can spoil just like any other cheese. The best way to tell if your blue cheese has gone bad is to use your nose: if it has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled.

Blue cheese is made with edible mould, which gives it a strong scent and taste. This mould is perfectly safe to eat, but it continues to break down the cheese, resulting in a stronger ammonia smell over time. This process can be slowed by refrigeration, but even when stored correctly, blue cheese will only last about 5-7 days in the fridge once opened.

The ammonia smell is not the only indicator that blue cheese has gone bad. The creamy part of the cheese, which should normally be white, beige, or yellow, will start to turn pink, brown, or green when the cheese has spoiled. The surface of the cheese may also become slimy or fuzzy, and the cheese will take on a biting taste.

If you notice any of these signs, it's best to throw the entire piece of cheese away, as bacteria or mould may still be present even if only a small section appears spoiled.

Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer for 6-8 months

Blue cheese is a pungent and popular ingredient, but it doesn't last long. Due to its active moulds and relatively high moisture levels, blue cheese will not last as long as other cheeses. If you have a large quantity of blue cheese, you may want to freeze it to avoid waste.

Freezing blue cheese is a great way to extend its shelf life. To freeze blue cheese, cut the cheese into portions no larger than 1/2 pound (226.8 g) each. For crumbled blue cheese, divide it into portions of similar weight. Use a food scale to weigh each slice or portion before preparing it for storage. Wrap the cheese tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.

When stored in the freezer, blue cheese will maintain its best quality for about six to eight months. However, it will remain safe to consume beyond that time. The cheese can be kept frozen indefinitely if stored at a constant temperature of 0°F (-17.7°C).

Please note that the taste and texture of blue cheese can change slightly when it's thawed. It may lose some of its sharp flavour and crumble more easily. Frozen blue cheese is best suited for cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

It's best to store blue cheese on the bottom shelf of the fridge

Blue cheese is a tricky type of cheese to store. The cheese paste is often delicate, and its surface moisture can be affected by the way it is wrapped and stored. The best way to store blue cheese is to prioritise a balance of humidity, airflow, and breathability.

Blue cheese likes to be stored in a climate that has high humidity—at least 80% humidity is recommended to keep the cheese paste fresh. The lower section of the fridge is usually the coldest, so storing blue cheese on the bottom shelf will help to preserve it for as long as possible. If your refrigerator has drawers at the bottom, this is the ideal place to store blue cheese, as the temperature will remain stable.

If you are using a traditional cheese dome to store your blue cheese, be sure to lift the dome to allow fresh air to get to the cheese. If you wrap your blue cheese, be sure not to do so too tightly, as trapped moisture on the paste can make the cheese spoil more quickly. Wrapping blue cheese in plastic or cheese paper can also cause unwanted bacteria to grow, so it is best to use cheese paper or bee's wrap, and then place the wrapped cheese in a more humid section of your fridge, like the vegetable drawer.

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