Goat Cheese: How Long Does It Really Last?

Goat cheese is a name for all cheeses made using goat's milk. The shelf life of goat cheese depends on the type of cheese, how it's been stored, whether it's been opened, and the temperature it's been stored at. Fresh, soft goat cheese is usually good for up to a week in the refrigerator, and some sources say it may last up to 2 weeks. Unopened and vacuum-sealed goat cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for about two months, sometimes longer. Aged goat cheese should be stored in a more stable, humid environment like a vegetable crisper drawer. Goat cheese that has been opened should be wrapped in wax or parchment paper and stored in the refrigerator. It can also be placed in an airtight glass container for extra protection. Fresh cheeses are best enjoyed within about five days of opening.

Goat cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of months

Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient with a distinctive "goaty" smell and a super creamy texture. It is made from goat's milk and can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of months.

The length of time that goat cheese can be stored depends on the type of cheese. Fresh goat cheese, which is soft and young, can be stored in the refrigerator for about two months if it is unopened and vacuum-sealed. Aged goat cheese, on the other hand, should be stored in a more stable and humid environment, such as a vegetable crisper drawer, and can be stored for a couple of months as well.

It is important to note that once the packaging of goat cheese is opened, it has a shorter shelf life compared to other cheeses. The delicate flavour of goat cheese means that it will quickly lose its freshness, flavour, and texture. Therefore, it is recommended to only open the packaging when you are ready to use the cheese. If you must store opened goat cheese, remove it from the original packaging and wrap it in wax or parchment paper, then store it in the refrigerator. Fresh cheeses will stay fresher in an airtight container and are best enjoyed within about five days.

To ensure the quality and longevity of your goat cheese, it is crucial to store it properly. Soft, spreadable goat cheeses should be kept in airtight containers, while soft-ripened goat cheeses, similar to Brie, should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper. For semi-hard and hard goat cheeses, a freezer bag or cheese paper will suffice.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the "Best By" date on goat cheese packaging is not an expiration date but rather an indication of when the product is at its peak flavour and quality. Goat cheese can still be consumed after this date, but it may not meet the same freshness standards.

It's best to store goat cheese in an airtight container

Goat cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient, but it's important to store it properly to maintain its freshness and flavour. While the original packaging is often designed to keep air out of the cheese, once opened, it's best to store goat cheese in an airtight container.

Soft, spreadable goat cheeses are best kept in airtight containers in the refrigerator. These cheeses are similar to cream cheese in texture and usually come in resealable containers. If the original container is damaged, transfer the cheese to another container or place it in a freezer bag, squeezing out all the air before sealing. Soft-ripened goat cheeses, similar to Brie, are best wrapped in parchment or wax paper and stored in a freezer bag if kept for more than a few days.

Storing goat cheese in an airtight container helps to prevent it from drying out and protects it from microbial contamination and the transfer of odours and flavours from other foods in the refrigerator. It is important to note that soft, fresh goat cheese should be consumed within a week or two of opening, even when stored in an airtight container.

For semi-hard and hard goat cheeses, a freezer bag is usually sufficient for storage. Wrap the cheese in cheese paper or something similar before placing it in the bag. These types of goat cheese have a longer shelf life than soft cheeses and can be enjoyed for several weeks after opening if stored properly.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that freezing is an option for storing goat cheese. Dry and semi-hard goat cheeses can withstand freezing and thawing, while fresh and ripened goat cheeses may have their texture and flavour altered. Frozen goat cheese should be consumed within two months and can only be frozen and thawed once.

Goat cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life

Goat cheese is a versatile dairy product with a soft texture and tangy taste. It is made from goat's milk and can be used in various dishes, from salads to cooked meals. The shelf life of goat cheese depends on multiple factors, including its type, packaging, storage conditions, and whether it has been opened.

Unopened goat cheese can generally retain its peak quality for a few weeks past the printed date when stored correctly in the fridge. However, once opened, goat cheese should be consumed within one to two weeks. To store opened goat cheese, wrap it in wax paper and place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Freezing goat cheese is an effective way to prolong its shelf life and maintain its palatability for several months. Freezing can alter the texture and flavour of the cheese, so it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles. To freeze goat cheese, wrap it tightly in wax paper or plastic wrap, then place it in a zip-top bag or airtight container. Label the container with the date and store it in the freezer. When ready to use, thaw the cheese overnight in the refrigerator to preserve its texture and flavour.

By freezing goat cheese, you can extend its shelf life and enjoy its unique taste and versatility in your favourite dishes for a longer period.

The cheese is still good to eat if it still smells and looks like goat cheese

Goat cheese, or Chevre, is a name for all cheeses made using goat's milk. There are two styles of goat cheese: fresh and aged. Fresh goat cheese is soft, moist, and young, and can range from creamy to more crumbly in texture. Aged goat cheese is ripened over a longer period and is, therefore, slightly firmer in texture.

Goat cheese that is still good to eat will look and smell like goat cheese. It should have a fresh and milky aroma, and the characteristically "goaty" smell should be mild and musky without an unpleasant pungency. The cheese should be white in color, and you should avoid off colors like yellow or pink, or a mushy texture.

The "Best By" date on the packaging of goat cheese is not an expiration or food safety date. The cheese can still be consumed after this date, but it may fall short of freshness standards. Fresh, unopened, and vacuum-sealed goat cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for about two months, and sometimes longer. Soft and fresh goat cheeses can be stored for a couple of weeks past their date and about a week after opening. Hard goat cheese will keep for at least a month after its date and for a month or more after opening.

If your goat cheese has a strong or sour smell, or any bitter or unpleasant taste, it has likely gone past its prime. Other signs of spoilage include discoloration, the presence of a bacterial film, and blue, green, yellow, or pink mold.

If the cheese has turned a different colour, it has likely gone bad

Goat cheese is known for its distinctive "funk", which can make it difficult to determine whether it has gone bad. However, if your goat cheese has turned a different colour, it has likely gone bad.

Fresh goat cheese is typically a snowy white colour. This is due to goat biology – goats process beta carotene differently from cows, leaving it colourless, and resulting in milk and fresh cheeses that are always naturally pure white. If your fresh goat cheese has yellowed noticeably or acquired an off-white tint, it has likely gone bad. This is the most common colour change you will see. In some cases, a goat cheese that has been forgotten in the fridge may show vivid yellow, orange, or pink hues. At this point, it is best to discard the cheese and substitute it with something else.

In addition to colour changes, there are other signs that your goat cheese has gone bad. Spoiled goat cheese may have a bacterial film – a thin layer of clammy, slimy fluid that adheres to the surface of the cheese and can also pool in the packaging. Blue or green mould on your cheese is also a bad sign. Random dark-coloured moulds showing up on your goat cheese are an automatic sign that it should be discarded. With hard cheeses, you can cut around the bad spot, but this is not the case with fresh cheeses. Invisible filaments of mould are likely to have travelled throughout the whole thing. You should just discard mouldy goat cheese because some of those moulds produce nasty toxins, according to the USDA. The only exception is the white mould from Brie, which can linger in your cheese drawer and colonize your goat cheese or other cheeses. That one's not dangerous, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Goat cheese can also go bad due to improper storage. If you haven't wrapped it properly after opening it, you may find that it has yellowed and developed a tough crust on the outside. This means that your goat cheese has dried out in your fridge's arid environment. If only part of your cheese is affected, you can cut that off and discard it, as long as the rest doesn't show other signs of spoilage. However, even the potentially salvageable portion of the cheese may not taste as it should. It could taste stale, or the air that dried out the cheese may have also carried unpleasant flavours from other foods in the fridge.

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