Bushra Griffith
Blue cheese is a pungent, semi-soft cheese with a distinct blue-green mould. It's safe to eat even when the mould has taken over, but how long does it last once the sell by date has passed? The answer depends on how it's stored and whether it's been opened.
An unopened package of blue cheese should be consumed within one to two weeks of the sell by date. If it's been opened, it's best to finish the cheese within one to two weeks, or three to four weeks from the date it was first opened.
To extend the life of blue cheese, it's important to store it properly. This means keeping it in the refrigerator, wrapped in parchment or wax paper, and then placing it in a plastic bag or airtight container to retain moisture and prevent the mingling of odours.
Signs that blue cheese has gone bad include an off smell, different from its naturally strong, tangy odour; visible signs of pink, green, yellow, or black mould that differs from the characteristic blue or green veins; and a significant change in texture, such as becoming excessively hard, soft, or slimy. If any of these signs are present, the cheese should be discarded.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Unopened blue cheese shelf life | 1 week to 2 weeks beyond the date printed on the label |
| Opened blue cheese shelf life | 7-10 days, up to 2 weeks if the use-by date is a few weeks away |
| Unopened blue cheese shelf life range | 1 month to 6 months |
| Opened blue cheese shelf life range | 3-4 weeks |
| Crumbled blue cheese shelf life | 1 week, a few days more if lower quality is acceptable |
| Unrefrigerated blue cheese shelf life | 2 days |
| Refrigerated blue cheese shelf life | 3-4 weeks |
| Frozen blue cheese shelf life | 6 months |
What You'll Learn
Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer for up to six months
Blue cheese is a tricky type of cheese to store. Its delicate cheese paste with pierced blue veining makes it more susceptible to oxidation and loss of surface moisture. To prevent this, blue cheese should be stored in a climate with high humidity—ideally at least 80% humidity.
If you want to store blue cheese for longer than a few weeks, you can put it in the freezer. To prepare blue cheese for freezing, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. Then, wrap the portions tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.
Properly stored blue cheese will maintain its best quality in the freezer for about six months, but it will remain safe to eat beyond that time. Frozen blue cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, so it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.
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It's best to use defrosted blue cheese in cooked dishes
Blue cheese is a pungent, creamy cheese with a unique flavour and smell. It is a popular ingredient in many dishes, from salads to burgers, and can be used as a topping, a sauce, or a dip.
When it comes to defrosted blue cheese, it is best to use it in cooked dishes. This is because the freezing process can cause the cheese to become more crumbly and lose some of its flavour. By incorporating it into cooked dishes, you can mask any textural changes and enhance its flavour with other ingredients.
Defrosted blue cheese is particularly well-suited for casseroles, stews, sauces, and soups. In these types of dishes, the cheese can melt and blend seamlessly with other ingredients, adding a subtle hint of its distinctive flavour without overwhelming the dish.
Additionally, using defrosted blue cheese in cooked dishes can help extend its shelf life. Blue cheese that has been defrosted in the refrigerator can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days before using it. This provides flexibility in meal planning and ensures that you can make the most of your defrosted blue cheese.
When using defrosted blue cheese in cooked dishes, it is important to handle it properly to maintain food safety. Ensure that the cheese is thoroughly defrosted and incorporated into the dish during cooking to avoid any issues with texture or flavour.
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Blue cheese is safe to eat for one to two weeks after opening
Blue cheese is a distinct type of cheese known for its pungent aroma and striking blue veins. It is safe to eat for one to two weeks after opening, but it is important to recognise when it has gone bad as spoiled cheese can cause foodborne illness.
The key to extending the life of blue cheese is proper storage. The cheese should be kept in the refrigerator at a temperature between 35°F and 45°F (2°C to 7°C), wrapped in parchment or wax paper to allow it to breathe, and then placed in a plastic bag or airtight container to retain moisture and prevent the mingling of odours.
Signs that blue cheese has gone bad include an off smell that is different from the naturally strong, tangy odour of blue cheese; visible signs of pink, green or black mold that differs from the characteristic blue or green veins; and a significant change in texture, such as becoming excessively hard, slimy, or soft. If any of these signs are present, the cheese should be discarded.
Blue cheese can 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. It is best used in cooked dishes.
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Blue cheese is safe to eat for one to two months after the sell-by date
Blue cheese is a distinct type of cheese known for its pungent aroma and striking blue veins. It has a long shelf life compared to other cheeses, lasting for one to two months after the sell-by date. This is because blue cheese contains an edible mold that gives it its pungent taste and scent. However, it is important to note that the shelf life of blue cheese depends on how it is stored and its packaging.
Proper storage is key to extending the life of blue cheese. It should be kept in the refrigerator, wrapped in parchment or wax paper, and then placed in a plastic bag or airtight container to retain moisture and prevent it from drying out. The refrigerator temperature should be set below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cheese should be stored on the bottom shelf or in the crisper drawer, which is usually the coldest part of the fridge. Additionally, blue cheese should be consumed within three to four weeks of opening, as the presence of air and moisture can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria.
It is crucial to recognize when blue cheese has gone bad, as spoiled cheese can cause foodborne illness. Signs of spoilage include an off smell, different from the naturally strong odor of blue cheese, the appearance of mold that differs from the characteristic blue or green veins, and a significant change in texture, such as becoming excessively hard, soft, or slimy. If any of these signs are present, the cheese should be discarded.
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Blue cheese should be refrigerated at all times
Blue cheese is a distinct type of cheese known for its pungent aroma and striking blue veins. It has a bold and tangy flavour that can vary from sharp and salty to slightly sweet with a pungent kick. The exact shelf life of blue cheese depends on its form and storage. However, one thing is clear: blue cheese should be refrigerated at all times.
Blue cheese is made with cultures of the mould Penicillium, and it's perfectly safe to eat. In fact, the mould is what gives blue cheese its distinctive taste and appearance. However, if other types of mould start to grow on the cheese, it's no longer safe to eat.
Blue cheese typically comes with a shelf life of a couple of weeks, but some creameries sell theirs with a more extended storage period, up to even six months. An unopened package of blue cheese should be consumed within one to two weeks of opening. If you don't think you'll finish the cheese within that time, you can always freeze it. Just wrap it tightly and place it in a freezer bag to protect it from freezer burn. Frozen blue cheese is best used in cooked dishes, as it tends to become more crumbly and lose some of its flavour when thawed.
To maximise the shelf life of blue cheese, it's important to store it properly. That means keeping it in the refrigerator at a temperature between 35°F and 45°F (2°C to 7°C). Wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper, then place it in a plastic bag or airtight container to retain moisture and prevent it from absorbing other odours. Make sure the container is airtight to maintain the required humidity levels.
Blue cheese that has been kept constantly refrigerated will stay safe indefinitely. However, over time, it may develop a very hard texture, darken in colour, develop a strong smell, and mould may appear. These are signs that the cheese has spoiled and should be discarded.
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Frequently asked questions
Assuming proper storage, blue cheese will typically remain safe to eat for 1 to 2 months after the sell-by date.
The best way to tell if your blue cheese has spoiled is to smell it. Fresh 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. You can also look at the colour of the creamy part of the cheese—if it has started to turn pink, brown, or green, your blue cheese has likely spoiled.
To maximise the shelf life of a wedge of blue cheese after opening, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
