Cheese's Longevity: How Long Does It Last?

How long does cheese last in the fridge? Well, it depends on the type of cheese, how it's stored, and its moisture content. A typical cheese can last anywhere from two weeks to six months, but softer cheeses with higher moisture content are more perishable and will go bad much faster. Harder, aged cheeses like Parmesan and Cheddar will last the longest, with proper storage, they can even stay fresh for up to four to six months. Semi-hard to semi-soft cheeses like Gouda and Gruyère will usually last two to four weeks after the expiration date. Soft cheeses like mozzarella, cream cheese, and Brie are the most delicate and should be consumed within one to two weeks of opening.

How long does cheese last in the fridge?

The shelf life of cheese depends on a variety of factors, including its moisture content, storage practices, and preservatives. In general, a typical cheese can last in the fridge anywhere from two weeks to six months.

Hard Cheeses

Hard cheeses, such as Parmesan, Gruyere, and cheddar, can last in the fridge for four to six months if stored correctly. These cheeses have a lower moisture content, which makes them less perishable and less affected by changes over time. To store hard cheeses, wrap them loosely in parchment paper, cheesecloth, or butcher paper, and place them in the egg or vegetable drawer of the fridge. To check if a hard cheese has gone bad, look for signs of spoilage such as an unpleasant smell, slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mold.

Semi-Hard to Semi-Soft Cheeses

Semi-hard to semi-soft cheeses, such as Emmental, Gruyère, Gouda, and Jarlsberg, will typically last in the fridge for two to four weeks after the expiration date. These cheeses have more moisture present, making them more perishable than hard cheeses. To store these cheeses, wrap them in breathable parchment paper and then place them inside a Ziploc bag to limit airflow and contain the smell. To check if they have gone bad, use your senses: taste and smell the cheese when you first open it, and then use your judgment to compare it over time. If you see any weird molds or notice a drastic change in texture, it's best to throw it out.

Soft Cheeses

Soft, less mature cheeses, such as cream cheese, mozzarella, Brie, and feta, are highly perishable and will usually only last in the fridge for one to two weeks after their expiration date. These cheeses have a high moisture content, which makes them more susceptible to spoilage. To store soft cheeses, place them in a Tupperware container or plastic jar to limit airflow. Unlike harder cheeses, soft cheeses should be discarded if there is any sign of mold. Other signs of spoilage include a slimy texture, a yellowed color, sourness, or a scent of ammonia.

How do you know when cheese has gone bad?

The shelf life of cheese depends on a variety of factors, including its moisture content, the presence of preservatives, and how it is stored. Generally, hard cheeses such as Parmesan and cheddar will last longer than soft cheeses like mozzarella or cream cheese. Proper storage can also help prolong the life of cheese—it should be wrapped in a breathable material like parchment paper and placed in the refrigerator.

So how do you know when cheese has gone bad? The best indicators are your senses. Look for any signs of spoilage, such as a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mould. Smell the cheese for any unpleasant odours, ammonia, or yeastiness. If the cheese has been left out of the fridge, it is recommended to discard it after two hours to reduce the risk of bacterial growth. If it has been left out for longer than four hours, be sure to check for the signs of spoilage mentioned above.

When it comes to mould, the type of cheese and the colour of the mould matter. For soft cheeses, it is recommended to discard the entire product if any mould is present. For harder cheeses, small amounts of white, blue, or green mould can be cut away, but if there is red or black mould, the cheese should be thrown out.

How to store cheese

Storing cheese correctly is essential to prolonging its shelf life. Cheese is simply milk in a less perishable form, with most of the moisture removed and fat and protein preserved through fermentation, salt, and acidity. The more water left in the cheese, the more perishable it is.

Storage Materials

The best way to store cheese is to use specialty cheese paper, which provides airflow and humidity to keep the cheese healthy. This is a thick paper coated on one side with a combination of wax and polyethylene. The coated side goes near the cheese, and the paper is then taped or tied shut. Parchment paper is a good substitute.

If you are unable to find either of these, aluminum foil is preferable to plastic wrap or plastic bags, which cut off the air supply and trap in moisture, leading to a slimy, moldy rind and off-flavours. If you do use plastic, ensure there is still some air in the bag, and face" your cheese by cutting off a slice that has been in direct contact with the plastic before each use.

Storage Location

The best place in the refrigerator to store cheese is the vegetable crisper, as there is more humidity, which benefits the cheese. The ideal temperature is around 35 °F/4 °C.

Storage Tips

• Buy cheese more frequently in smaller amounts, as cheese has a longer shelf life if it has a smaller surface area.
• Get to know your cheese. Your senses will be the best red flag when a cheese goes bad – better than expiration dates, in fact.
• If you see mold on your cheese, scrape it off. However, with soft cheeses, it is safer to throw them away.
• For blue cheeses, consider separating them from softer cheeses by re-wrapping them in tin foil and placing them in a ziplock bag.
• Unwrap your cheese and "face" it every couple of days to help extend its life.
• Putting a small amount of vinegar on cheesecloth or a paper towel before storing your cheese will help save it from mold.

How long can cheese be left out of the fridge?

The length of time that cheese can be left out of the fridge depends on several factors, including the type of cheese, how it was made, and its moisture content. The US Department of Health recommends that perishable foods, including cheese, are not left out of the fridge for more than two hours. However, harder cheeses can be left out for up to four hours.

Harder cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere, have a lower moisture content, which makes them less susceptible to bacterial growth. They can, therefore, be left out of the fridge for longer than soft cheeses. Soft cheeses, such as mozzarella, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and Brie, are more perishable and should be discarded if left out for longer than two hours.

Regardless of the type of cheese, it is important to note that leaving cheese out at room temperature for more than two hours may impact its quality, taste, and texture.

To store cheese, it is recommended to wrap it gently in parchment paper, cheesecloth, or butcher paper, and place it in the fridge. Cheese needs to breathe, so it is best to avoid wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or a plastic bag.

How long does Kraft cheese last?

Kraft Singles, or Kraft American cheese slices, are designed to be shelf-stable and outlast other cheeses. They are bolstered by anti-mold preservatives and will last a long time. The expiration date printed on the package is generally about five to six months after the cheese is produced, but you can use that as a guideline and expect the cheese to last a little longer. Unopened slices can last up to two months beyond the printed date, but you should throw them out if they start to look dried out. Once the package is opened, you should use the slices within a week.

At room temperature, Kraft Singles can only be left out for about two hours. While you can store Kraft Singles in the freezer, it is not recommended as it can alter the flavour and texture of the cheese, defeating the purpose of buying Kraft Singles, which are known for their meltability.

Kraft also makes "real" cheese, sold as Kraft Natural Cheese, which includes semi-soft varieties like cheddar, mozzarella, jack, and colby. These can be frozen safely, but it is not optimal as freezing will affect their texture and meltability.

How long Kraft cheese lasts depends on how well you store it. Whether opened or unopened, Kraft cheese should be stored in the refrigerator at all times.

Just because Kraft cheese is designed to last longer than other cheeses, doesn't mean it won't go bad eventually. You can use your senses to tell if Kraft cheese has gone bad. Look out for any development of mold on the surface. Molds can appear in different colours—white, orange, red, or blue. If you find any, discard the entire package. Beyond mold, the clearest indicators of spoilage are touch and smell. A slimy texture or a sour odour are signs that your Kraft cheese has gone bad.

Frequently asked questions