Gorgonzola Cheese: How Long Does It Last?

Gorgonzola is a blue cheese with a beautiful blue-green veining pattern or spots. It is safe to eat for 3 to 4 weeks if stored properly in the refrigerator. If the package is opened, it will last for about a week or less. If it sits out unrefrigerated, mold and bacterial growth can start to take place very quickly, in just 4-10 hours.

To maximize the shelf life of a wedge of Gorgonzola cheese after opening, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating.

How to store Gorgonzola cheese in the fridge

Gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese, so storing it in the fridge is a little different from storing other cheeses. Here's how to do it:

Wrapping

First, wrap the gorgonzola in wax or parchment paper. Then, place plastic wrap or foil over the paper to ensure that it won't dry out. If you're freezing the cheese, place the double-wrapped piece into a plastic freezer bag to protect it from freezer burn. If you're concerned about the cheese picking up the scent or flavours of other items in your fridge, place it in an airtight container after it's been wrapped for additional protection.

Fridge Storage

Make sure to store gorgonzola in the fridge at all times. The colder the cheese, the longer it will stay fresh. Because the lower section of the fridge is usually the coldest, keep it on the bottom shelf to preserve it for as long as possible. If your refrigerator has drawers at the bottom, this is the ideal place to store gorgonzola because the temperature will remain stable. Keep gorgonzola away from other cheeses and food, so the spores of mould won't contaminate them.

Freezing

If you want to store your gorgonzola in the freezer, cut it into pieces that are no larger than half a pound each. Wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, it will maintain the best quality for about six months, but will remain safe beyond that time.

Shelf Life

Unopened gorgonzola can last two to three weeks in the fridge. If the package is opened, it will last for about a week or less. If it sits out unrefrigerated, mould or bacterial growth usually starts to take place very quickly, in just four to ten hours. If properly stored and past the expiration date, gorgonzola might still be good to eat.

How long does unopened Gorgonzola cheese last in the fridge?

Gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese with a beautiful blue-green veining pattern or spots. This is caused by the blooming of a type of mould called Penicillium glaucum, which is added during the cheesemaking process.

Unopened Gorgonzola can last between two and six weeks in the fridge, depending on its packaging. If the package is airtight, it will last longer than if it is wrapped in cheese paper and inside a carton package.

To maximise the shelf life of a wedge of Gorgonzola cheese, make sure it is always refrigerated and 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 with plastic wrap before refrigerating.

Properly stored, a wedge of Gorgonzola cheese will last for three to four weeks in the refrigerator. If you want to further extend its shelf life, you can freeze it. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each, and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.

Frozen Gorgonzola will maintain its best quality for about six months but will remain safe beyond that time.

How long does opened Gorgonzola cheese last in the fridge?

Gorgonzola is a blue cheese with a beautiful blue-green veining pattern or spots. This is caused by the blooming of a type of mould called Penicillium glaucum, which is added during the cheesemaking process.

Once opened, Gorgonzola cheese will last for about a week or less in the fridge. 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.

Gorgonzola is supposed to be semi-soft and smooth to cut, and it can be a little sticky to the knife, which is completely normal. A young gorgonzola dolce will be softer, almost like butter.

A perfectly matured gorgonzola should have a delicious taste of sweetness, a strong aroma, a sharp and buttery flavour, and a slightly crumbly but firm texture.

Gorgonzola that has gone bad will have the following characteristics:

• Unnatural new mould/bacteria growth — black/grey/white/yellow/pink mould which could be in patches, small dots, or fuzzy patterns on the cheese surface.
• A sour, rancid, putrid odour, or an ammonia or chemical-like smell.
• A texture that looks melted, wet, and slimy. Sometimes it may look hard, dry, or darkened in colour, depending on how it has been stored.
• A strong, biting taste.

Yes, you can freeze gorgonzola cheese. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each, and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.

Properly stored, gorgonzola will maintain its best quality for about six months in the freezer, but it will remain safe to eat beyond that time. However, freezing and unfreezing the cheese will affect its texture and flavour.

How to tell if Gorgonzola cheese has gone bad

Gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese, so the same rules apply when it comes to telling if it has gone bad.

Firstly, the best way to tell if your Gorgonzola has spoiled is to smell it. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but it changes as it starts to go bad. If it has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled.

Secondly, you want to pay attention to the colour of the creamy part of the cheese. It's normally a white, beige, or yellow shade. If you notice that it's started to turn pink, brown, or green, your Gorgonzola has likely spoiled.

Thirdly, if your Gorgonzola still smells the same and hasn't changed colour, you can usually tell if it's gone bad by giving it a taste. While fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste, old cheese becomes especially biting when it starts to spoil. If you taste a bit of the blue cheese and it's too strong to enjoy, you should throw it away.

In addition to these points, you should also look out for any new moulds that are a different colour to the Gorgonzola's blue veins. If you see any grey, pink or black moulds, throw it out.

Finally, Gorgonzola that is going bad will also develop a very hard texture and will darken in colour.

How to revive Gorgonzola cheese

Gorgonzola cheese, like many other cheeses, has a tendency to develop mould over time. While Gorgonzola is meant to have veins of mould injected into it, if you notice grey, pink, or black mould around the edges, it has likely gone bad and should be discarded. Additionally, if the cheese develops a strong ammonia smell, turns slimy, or becomes darker in colour, it is best to throw it out.

To maximise the shelf life of Gorgonzola cheese, it is important to store it properly. Always keep the cheese refrigerated, and after opening, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better protection, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper before covering it with plastic wrap and storing it in the fridge. Properly stored, Gorgonzola cheese will typically last for 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.

If your Gorgonzola cheese has developed some mould, you can try to revive it by cutting away at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the mouldy area. Be careful not to touch the mould with the knife. Re-cover the remaining cheese in fresh wrap and store it in the fridge.

To extend the shelf life of Gorgonzola cheese, you can also freeze it. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than 1/2 pound (225 grams) each, and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil, plastic freezer wrap, or place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen Gorgonzola will maintain its best quality for about 6 months but will remain safe to consume beyond that period. However, freezing may cause the cheese to become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, making it more suitable for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, or casseroles.

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