Cowgirl Creamery Cheese: How Long Does It Really Last?

Cowgirl Creamery is a popular cheese producer based in California. They have been making cheese for over 30 years and are known for their popular Mt Tam cheese, an organic triple cream with a fudgy core. The sell-by date on cheese produced by Cowgirl Creamery is just a suggestion, and the cheese will remain edible for a few weeks after this date. However, it is important to store cheese properly to ensure it remains fresh. This includes removing plastic packaging and wrapping the cheese in wax or parchment paper, as well as storing it in the refrigerator.

Cowgirl Creamery cheese storage

Cowgirl Creamery has been making cheese for over 30 years. The company's founders, Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, recommend the following for storing their cheese products:

Firstly, only buy as much cheese as you plan to eat in the next few days. This is because cheese has a limited lifespan and will eventually go bad.

When you get your cheese home, store it in the refrigerator, preferably in the vegetable crisper. If the cheese is unopened, keep it in its original packaging. If you have already opened it, re-wrap the cheese in the paper it came in. If you don't have the original cheese paper, use something breathable like beeswax food cloths, parchment paper, or wax paper to keep the cheese covered so that it doesn't dry out.

Plastic wrap can be used, but it is better for harder cheeses than delicate soft cheeses. If you are storing blue cheese, keep it separately to prevent the mold from spreading to other cheeses. It's also a good idea to keep stinky washed-rind cheeses separate.

If you notice mold on the surface of your cheese after packaging, don't panic. This is completely natural and a sign of microbial life. The cheese is still edible after some trimming. If there is mold within the cheese, however, it is best to dispose of it.

If your cheese has been left out of the refrigerator, soft cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, brie, or fresh mozzarella should be discarded after two hours, while harder cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, or Gouda can last up to four hours.

To check if your cheese has gone bad, look for signs of spoilage such as a bad smell, slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mold. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to throw the cheese away.

How long does Cowgirl Creamery cheese last once opened?

The shelf life of Cowgirl Creamery cheese depends on a variety of factors, including the type of cheese and how well it is stored.

Firstly, it is important to note that Cowgirl Creamery cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, ideally in its original cheese paper wrapping or, alternatively, in wax paper, parchment paper, or a reusable beeswax food cloth. Plastic wrap can be used but is better suited to harder cheeses than delicate soft cheeses.

Once opened, soft cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, brie, or fresh mozzarella should be consumed within two hours of being left out of the refrigerator, as they have a higher moisture content and are more susceptible to bacterial growth. Harder cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, or Gouda can be left out for up to four hours and will last longer once opened, as they have a lower moisture content.

Cowgirl Creamery cheeses are soft-ripened and, according to the company, can be re-wrapped in their original cheese paper if they are opened. The company also states that mold is a natural part of the cheesemaking process and can be trimmed off, but if there is mold within the cheese, the cheese should be discarded. Additionally, if the cheese smells strongly of ammonia or bitterness, it should be disposed of.

While there is no definitive answer to how long Cowgirl Creamery cheese will last once opened, proper storage and regular inspection for signs of spoilage will help extend its shelf life. It is recommended to only buy as much cheese as you plan to consume within a few days to ensure freshness and reduce waste.

How to tell if Cowgirl Creamery cheese has gone bad

Cowgirl Creamery cheeses are made with pasteurized organic milk and/or cream. They are best stored in the refrigerator, unopened, and wrapped in wax or parchment paper. If you have already opened the cheese, you can re-wrap it in the cheese paper it comes in. If you don't have cheese paper, cover the cheese so that it doesn't dry out in the fridge. You can use a reusable beeswax food cloth or parchment paper.

• Smell - If the cheese smells strongly of ammonia or bitterness, it has likely gone bad.
• Texture - If the texture of the cheese has changed and become slimy, dry, or cracked, it has likely gone bad.
• Colour - If there is discolouration on the cheese, such as dark spots or grey/brown patches, it may have gone bad.
• Taste - If the cheese has an unpleasant taste, it has likely gone bad.
• Mould - If there is mould within the cheese, it has likely gone bad. However, mould on the surface of the cheese is a natural part of the cheesemaking process and can be trimmed off before eating.

It's important to note that the shelf life of cheese can vary depending on the type of cheese and how it is stored. Soft cheeses tend to have a shorter shelf life than hard cheeses due to their higher moisture content.

Best-before dates for Cowgirl Creamery cheese

The best-before dates for Cowgirl Creamery cheese are relative and depend on a few factors. Firstly, the type of cheese matters; harder cheeses tend to last longer than softer varieties. For instance, the sell-by date for Cowgirl Creamery's Mt Tam cheese is typically three months, but it can be consumed a couple of weeks after that. However, it is important to inspect the cheese for signs of spoilage, such as an overpowering ammonia smell, discolouration, or a gummy texture.

To maximise the lifespan of Cowgirl Creamery cheese, it is recommended to remove the plastic packaging upon purchase and wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper. Storing it in the vegetable crisper of a refrigerator also helps maintain freshness.

It is worth noting that while cheese can be consumed past its best-before date, the quality and taste may deteriorate over time. Therefore, it is advisable to consume Cowgirl Creamery cheese within a couple of weeks of purchase for the best experience.

How to store Cowgirl Creamery cheese to make it last longer

To make Cowgirl Creamery cheese last longer, it's important to store it properly. Firstly, as soon as you get the cheese home, store the unopened cheese in the refrigerator. This will ensure the best quality. If you've already opened the cheese, you can re-wrap it in the cheese paper it comes in. If you don't have cheese paper, use something that will prevent the cheese from drying out in the fridge, such as reusable beeswax food cloths or parchment paper. Plastic wrap can be used, but it's better for harder cheeses than delicate soft cheeses.

Additionally, it's important to note that cheese should not be tightly wrapped in plastic, as this can reduce its quality and flavour. Instead, use a breathable wrap such as wax paper, parchment paper, or coated cheese paper. Press the wrap against any cut surfaces to protect them from drying, and then place the wrapped package in a lidded plastic container.

To further prolong the life of your Cowgirl Creamery cheese, store blue cheeses separately to prevent the mould from spreading, and consider keeping stinky washed-rind cheeses separate as well.

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