The Longevity Of Chevre Cheese: How Long Does It Last?

Chevre, or goat cheese, is a name for all cheeses made using goat's milk. It comes in a variety of textures, from soft and creamy to hard and crumbly, and can be fresh (unripened) or ripened. The shelf life of goat cheese depends on how it is stored and the type of cheese. For example, soft and fresh goat cheeses will last a couple of weeks past their date and about a week after opening if stored in the refrigerator. On the other hand, hard goat cheeses will last at least a month after their date and a month or more after opening.

Chevre cheese can last 3-6 months unopened

Chevre cheese, or goat cheese, can last a long time when unopened—we're talking three to six months here. That's quite a window, but it depends on a few factors. Firstly, how was it packaged? Was it vacuum-sealed? Was it covered in wax or parchment paper and then plastic wrap? Or was it just in plastic wrap? The type of packaging will have an impact on its longevity.

Secondly, how was it stored? Chevre cheese should be kept in the refrigerator at all times, at a temperature of around 50º to 60º F (10º to 15.5º C). If it's kept at room temperature, the cheese will continue to age, and this will affect its lifespan.

Finally, what type of goat cheese is it? Is it soft and fresh, soft-ripened, semi-hard, semi-soft, or hard? The softer the cheese, the sooner it will lose its quality. So, a soft and fresh goat cheese will keep for a couple of weeks past its use-by date and about a week once opened. A hard goat cheese will keep for at least a month past its date and for a month or more after opening.

Once opened, it will last 1-2 weeks

Once opened, chevre cheese will last for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. To maximise its shelf life, 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 it with plastic wrap before refrigerating.

If you want to further extend the shelf life of chevre cheese, you can freeze it. When wrapped tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or placed inside a heavy-duty freezer bag, it can maintain its best quality for about six months, but will remain safe beyond that time.

However, frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour. As such, it is best suited for cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups and casseroles.

It is important to note that chevre cheese should be kept refrigerated at all times. If you are storing an unopened package, it can last for at least two months.

To extend its shelf life, wrap it in wax paper and then plastic wrap

To extend the shelf life of chevre cheese, it is important to wrap it in wax paper and then plastic wrap. This method of wrapping cheese creates a layer of breathability, allowing the cheese to breathe and retain humidity.

Firstly, the cheese should be wrapped in wax paper. Wax paper is a better alternative to plastic wrap as it is breathable and allows the cheese to release gases like ammonia, which can create unpleasant flavours and aromas if trapped. Wax paper also protects the cheese from the drying effect of the refrigerator, while still allowing it to breathe.

After wrapping the cheese in wax paper, it should then be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator. Plastic wrap is useful for short-term storage as it helps to preserve the cheese and keep premature mould growth at bay. It is important to note that plastic wrap is not ideal for long-term storage as it traps moisture, which can promote the growth of undesirable bacteria and create off-flavours. Therefore, by using both wax paper and plastic wrap, the cheese can benefit from the breathability of the wax paper, while also being protected by the plastic wrap.

Additionally, it is worth noting that for semi-hard and hard goat cheeses, a freezer bag can be used instead of plastic wrap. For optimal quality, the cheese should be wrapped in cheese paper or something similar before placing it in the freezer bag.

Goat cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life by 6 months or more

Goat cheese, or Chevre, is a name for all cheeses made using goat's milk. It can be fresh (unripened) or ripened, with textures ranging from soft and creamy to hard and crumbly.

The shelf life of goat cheese depends on the type of cheese and how it is stored. Soft goat cheeses will last a couple of weeks past their use-by date and about a week after opening. Semi-hard to semi-soft goat cheeses will last a few weeks past their use-by date and up to 3 weeks once opened. Hard goat cheeses will last at least a month after their use-by date and for a month or more after opening.

To extend the shelf life of goat cheese, it can be frozen. To do this, wrap the cheese tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor, so it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

Properly stored, frozen goat cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months but will remain safe to eat beyond that time if kept at a constant temperature of 0°F (-18°C).

If mould appears on the cheese, discard it

Goat cheese is a delicious and versatile product, but it's important to know when to draw the line and discard it. While mouldy hard or semi-hard cheeses can be saved by cutting off the mould and some extra cheese, this is not the case with goat cheese. If mould appears on goat cheese, it should be discarded entirely.

Goat cheese, or chevre, is made from goat's milk and comes in a variety of textures and flavours. From soft and fresh to aged and firm, there's a goat cheese for every taste. However, when it comes to mould, it's important to be cautious. While some mouldy cheeses can be salvaged, goat cheese is not one of them.

The reason for this is that goat cheese is highly perishable and susceptible to mould growth. Mould can indicate the presence of harmful bacteria, which can cause foodborne illnesses. Even if the mouldy area is cut off, the bacteria may have already spread to other parts of the cheese. Therefore, it's best to play it safe and discard the entire cheese to prevent any potential health risks.

Additionally, different types of mould can appear on cheese, and some can be toxic. Bright yellow or pink mould, for example, indicates that the cheese should be discarded. It's always better to be cautious when it comes to food safety, especially with dairy products like cheese.

To prevent mould from forming on your goat cheese, proper storage is essential. Goat cheese should be kept refrigerated at all times and wrapped properly. For soft, spreadable goat cheeses, airtight containers or resealable original packaging work best. For aged goat cheeses, wrapping in parchment or wax paper, followed by a layer of plastic wrap, helps maintain freshness.

In summary, if mould appears on your goat cheese, it's best to discard it entirely. Don't risk your health by trying to salvage it. Proper storage can help extend the shelf life of your goat cheese and prevent mould growth, but once mould appears, it's time to let go and start fresh with a new batch.

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