Cheese Storage: How Long Does Pantry Cheese Last?

Cheese is a beloved dairy product that comes in hundreds of flavors, textures, and forms. Its shelf life depends on a variety of factors, such as moisture content, type of cheese, processing method, packaging date, exposure to heat, and storage method. Soft cheeses like feta, mozzarella, and cottage cheese tend to have a shorter shelf life than harder varieties like cheddar, parmesan, and gouda. Proper storage is critical to prolonging the shelf life of cheese, which can be safely stored in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on the type.

How long does hard cheese last in the pantry?

Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. Generally, hard cheeses don't need to be refrigerated but will last much longer if they are.

Hard cheeses that haven't been opened can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge. Once opened, a package of hard cheese can last about four weeks in the refrigerator. Unopened packages will last about six months.

To ensure your hard cheese lasts as long as possible, follow these steps for storing it in the fridge:

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

It's important to note that hard cheeses are more likely to be safe to eat past their expiration date if they are properly stored and show no signs of spoilage. However, soft and fresh cheeses have a shorter shelf life and are more perishable.

Some signs that cheese has gone bad include:

• A sour, rancid, or ammonia-like smell
• Visible mould (except for blue mould on blue cheeses, which is safe to eat)
• Changes in texture, such as becoming overly dry, crumbly, or slimy
• Significant changes in colour, such as yellowing or browning
• An off or sour flavour

How long does soft cheese last in the pantry?

Soft cheeses, such as ricotta, feta, mozzarella, brie, and camembert, have a high moisture content, making them more perishable than harder cheeses. This means that they have a shorter shelf life.

In general, soft cheeses will last for about a week in the fridge, but their quality and taste will be at their best before then. Proper storage is key to making the most of soft cheese, as its shelf life is so short. 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, you can wrap it in foil. Soft-ripened cheese, like brie, has a delicate rind, so it needs more care than other soft cheeses. Wrapping it in cheese paper is best, but you can also use parchment paper and keep it in an airtight container.

Opened soft cheeses, such as brie, goat's cheese, mozzarella, and feta, are more perishable and typically last for about a week to a few weeks in the refrigerator. Fresh cheeses like ricotta and cottage cheese have an even shorter shelf life and are best consumed within a week or two of opening.

Soft cheeses are also more likely to be unsafe to eat past their expiration date, so it is important to look for signs of spoilage before eating. If you see any mould, discard the cheese.

How to store cheese in the pantry

The length of time cheese lasts in the pantry depends on the type of cheese, the processing method, packaging date, its exposure to heat, and the best-by or sell-by date. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. Unopened, they can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge. Once opened, hard cheeses retain good quality for between a month and two months, as long as they are stored properly. This means wrapping them in something breathable, like cheesecloth, parchment paper, or wax paper, and placing them in an airtight container.

Blue cheeses like Stilton, Roquefort, and Gorgonzola can have a similar shelf life to hard cheeses when unopened, as long as they are refrigerated properly. Semi-hard cheeses, such as Swiss cheese, also have a relatively long shelf life, often several months past their 'best-by' date when kept in the refrigerator before opening. Once opened, semi-hard cheeses will last for a few weeks to a couple of months in the refrigerator.

Soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert have a shorter shelf life. Unopened, they typically last for a few weeks to a couple of months past their 'best-by' date when refrigerated. Once opened, soft cheeses are more perishable and typically last for a week to a few weeks in the refrigerator. Fresh cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese are highly perishable and usually last only a few weeks past their 'best-by' date when stored in the refrigerator.

To extend the shelf life of cheese, it should be stored in the refrigerator at temperatures of 40°F or lower immediately after each use. It should be stored in its original wrapper or a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

How to tell if cheese has gone bad in the pantry

It's important to note that different types of cheese have different shelf lives. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. On the other hand, soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert have a shorter shelf life due to their higher moisture content.

Smell

One way to determine if cheese has gone bad is to smell it. Cheese should typically have a characteristic smell related to its type. If it smells sour, rancid, or like ammonia, it's likely a sign of spoilage. However, some cheeses can be pungent and "off" smelling, so it's not always reliable to rely on smell alone. It's a good idea to smell the cheese when you first purchase it to establish a baseline for its scent.

Appearance

Cheese naturally grows mould, so don't be too quick to discard it if you spot small amounts of surface mould. Try trimming off the mouldy part and checking if the rest of the cheese is clean and free from other signs of spoilage. However, if the entire piece is covered in thick mould, it may not be worth saving.

Other appearance indicators of spoilage include changes in colour, such as yellowing or browning, and alterations in texture, such as dryness, crumbly or slimy consistency, or bloated packaging.

Taste

As a last resort, you may need to taste a small piece of the cheese to determine if it has gone bad. If you suspect the cheese has spoiled, only taste a tiny piece to gauge its flavour. If the cheese tastes sour or has an unpleasant aftertaste, it's likely spoiled and should not be consumed.

Other factors

In addition to the above indicators, consider the "best before" or "sell by" date on the cheese packaging. These dates are guidelines for quality rather than safety, but if the cheese is past this date and shows signs of spoilage, it's best to discard it. Hard cheeses stored properly may be safe to consume past their expiration date if they show no signs of spoilage, while soft and fresh cheeses have a shorter shelf life and are more perishable.

How to freeze cheese for the pantry

Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of cheese and reduce waste. However, it's important to note that not all cheeses freeze well, and the freezing process can affect the texture and quality of the cheese. Here's a guide on how to freeze cheese for pantry storage:

Choosing the Right Cheese

Not all cheeses are suitable for freezing. Hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, and blue cheese, can be frozen but may become crumbly and mealy. Mozzarella, pizza cheese, and some semi-soft cheeses like Stilton or soft goat cheese are also good options for freezing.

On the other hand, soft cheeses with high moisture content, such as Brie, Camembert, cottage cheese, and ricotta, should be avoided as they can become dry and crumbly when frozen. Grated hard cheeses like Parmesan and Romano can be frozen but will lose quality, so it's better to store them in the refrigerator.

Preparing the Cheese for Freezing

When freezing cheese, it's best to portion it into quantities that you're likely to use at one time. For large blocks of cheese like cheddar, don't freeze more than 1 pound (500 grams) per portion. You can also grate or slice the cheese before freezing.

Packaging the Cheese

The cheese can be stored in its original packaging if it's unopened, or you can wrap it in foil or cheese paper. Sliced cheese should be separated with parchment paper to prevent the slices from sticking together.

Place the wrapped cheese in an airtight container or ziplock bag to protect it from dry air and freezer burn. If using a ziplock bag, squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.

Freezing the Cheese

Freeze the cheese as quickly as possible to prevent the formation of large ice crystals, which can disrupt the structure of the cheese. Use the quick freeze function on your freezer if available.

Cheese can be stored in the freezer indefinitely, but for the best quality, use it within 6 to 9 months.

Thawing the Frozen Cheese

Thaw frozen cheese in the refrigerator at a temperature of 32–34 °F (0–1°C) for 7–8 hours per pound (500 grams). Shredded cheese for cooking or pizza toppings can be used directly from the freezer without thawing.

It's important to note that cheese that has been frozen and thawed should not be refrozen. Frozen cheese is best suited for cooked dishes where changes in texture are less noticeable, such as sauces, pizzas, or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Frequently asked questions