Cold Pack Cheese: How Long Does It Stay Fresh?

Cold pack cheese, also known as club cheese or crock cheese, is a type of cheese spread that is created by blending natural cheeses without the use of heat. As it is made without heat, cold-pack cheese is not shelf-stable and requires refrigeration. The FDA has set standards for the production of cold-pack cheese, and any cheese except for cream cheese, cottage cheese, and a few others may be used. When it comes to shipping cold-pack cheese, it is important to use proper packaging and cold packs to ensure that the product does not spoil. Store-bought cold packs can provide effective cooling for 24-36 hours, while more advanced cold packs can keep items cold for more than 12 days.

Cold pack cheese is a soft, spreadable blend of cheeses

As a soft cheese, cold pack cheese will only last about a week in the fridge. However, the quality and taste will be at their best before that time is up. Proper storage is key to extending the life of cold pack cheese. 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 or parchment paper and keeping it in an airtight container will help to extend its life.

To ensure your cold pack 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 a pliable yet breathable material, such as wax paper or cheese paper.
• Put the cheese in a container with an airtight lid.

It's also important to keep your fridge at a safe temperature—below 40°F (4°C)—to prevent bacteria from multiplying and spoiling your cheese.

It is not shelf-stable and requires refrigeration

Cold-pack cheese, also known as club cheese or crock cheese, is a type of cheese spread that is created by blending natural cheeses without the use of heat. This means that cold-pack cheese is not shelf-stable and requires refrigeration.

Being made without heat, cold-pack cheese is more perishable than cheese spreads that are made with heat. This is because the lack of heat means that cold-pack cheese better preserves the taste and texture of its constituent cheeses, which are often Cheddar or Swiss cheeses. These base cheeses are then flavoured with added spices, fruits, vegetables, or nuts. Common flavourings include almonds, port wine, horseradish, and smoked flavour.

Because it is not shelf-stable, cold-pack cheese must be stored in a refrigerator. The shelf life of cheese in a refrigerator depends on its moisture content, with cheeses with higher moisture levels having a shorter shelf life. Soft cheeses like ricotta, feta, and mozzarella have a high moisture content, making them more perishable than harder cheeses. In general, soft cheese will last about one week in the fridge, but the quality and taste will be at their prime before that time is up. Semi-hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, and Monterey Jack, have a slightly longer shelf life of two to three weeks in the fridge. Hard cheeses, which are low in moisture, can last about four weeks in the refrigerator once opened, and unopened packages will last about six months.

To ensure that your cold-pack cheese lasts as long as possible, it is important to store it properly. 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 them 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 or parchment paper and keeping it in an airtight container is best.

It is made without heat to preserve the taste and texture of its constituent cheeses

Cold pack cheese, also known as club cheese or crock cheese, is a type of cheese spread made by blending natural cheeses without heat. This process of making cheese without heat means that cold-pack cheese is not shelf-stable and must be kept in the fridge. However, it has the advantage of better preserving the taste and texture of the cheeses used to make it.

The reason that cold-pack cheese is not shelf-stable is that it contains more moisture than cheese spreads made with heat. Moisture is necessary for bacterial growth, so cheeses with higher moisture content spoil more quickly. Since cold-pack cheese is made without heat, it retains more moisture and is therefore more perishable.

To make up for this lack of shelf stability, cold-pack cheese must be stored in the refrigerator. When stored in the fridge, soft cheeses like cold-pack cheese will last about a week, but their quality and taste will begin to decline before that time is up. To maximise the shelf life of cold-pack cheese, it should be stored in an airtight container and wrapped in parchment or wax paper.

The FDA has standards of identity for the production of "cold-pack and club cheese", "cold-pack cheese food", and "cold-pack cheese food with fruits, vegetables, or meats". According to these standards, any type of cheese can be used to make cold-pack cheese, except for cream cheese, neufchatel cheese, cottage cheese, creamed cottage cheese, cook cheese, skim-milk cheese for manufacturing, semisoft part-skim cheese, part-skim spiced cheese, and hard grating cheese. Additionally, the added flavourings must not mimic the flavour of cheese.

Common flavourings include almonds, port wine, horseradish, and smoked flavour

Cold pack cheese, also known as club cheese or crock cheese, is a type of cheese spread made by blending natural cheeses without heat. It was first made by a Wisconsin tavern owner during the Great Depression and is often made with a base of Cheddar or Swiss cheese.

The lack of heat in the production process means that cold-pack cheese is not shelf-stable and must be kept in the refrigerator. However, this also means that cold-pack cheese better preserves the taste and texture of its constituent cheeses compared to cheese spreads made with heat.

Cold packs for shipping typically last 24-36 hours

When shipping perishable items, it's important to consider the longevity of your cold packs. After all, you don't want your goods to spoil during transit.

Store-bought cold packs typically last for 24-36 hours. This is a relatively small window, and shipping often takes longer than expected due to unforeseen errors and logistical issues. Therefore, it's important to choose the right cold pack for your needs.

The Packaging Company, for example, offers a range of advanced insulated cold packs that provide uniform cooling for days. Their Ice-Brix™ Cold Packs, made with non-toxic, food-safe gel refrigerants, are a good option for perishable food items, keeping items cold for a few days.

For shipping temperature-sensitive items, such as pharmaceuticals or lab tests, Re-Freez-R-Brix™ Cold Bricks are a better option. These can keep perishables chilled for up to 12 days or more.

To maximise the effectiveness of your cold packs, it's also important to use the right shipping materials. An insulated box liner, for instance, will help keep your package cool.

Frequently asked questions