Frederic Melton
Kraft Parmesan cheese is a commercially packaged, grated Parmesan cheese that is sold unrefrigerated. Once opened, it can last for a long time, especially if stored in the refrigerator. The precise answer depends on storage conditions. Kraft advises storing its cheeses in the refrigerator at a normal temperature of 40 degrees F, and only keeping them at room temperature for up to one hour. Some sources suggest that Kraft Parmesan cheese can be safe to consume for weeks or even months after opening if stored properly. However, it is important to regularly check the cheese for any signs of spoilage, such as an off odor, flavor, or appearance, or the presence of mold.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long does unopened grated Parmesan cheese last? | 12-18 months at room temperature |
| How to maximise the shelf life of unopened grated Parmesan cheese | Keep in a cool, dry area |
| How long does opened grated Parmesan cheese last in the refrigerator? | 10-12 months |
| How to further extend the shelf life of opened grated Parmesan cheese | Place in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and freeze |
| How long does grated Parmesan cheese last in the freezer? | 18 months |
| How to tell if grated Parmesan cheese is bad or spoiled | Smell and look at the cheese. If it has an off odour, flavour or appearance, or if mould appears, discard it |
| How to store opened grated Parmesan cheese | In the refrigerator at 40 degrees F |
What You'll Learn
Kraft Parmesan cheese should be refrigerated after opening
Kraft advises storing its grated Parmesan cheese in the refrigerator at a normal temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. At room temperature, the cheese should only be kept for up to one hour. This is because, despite the cheese's dry texture and low water content, it is still susceptible to bacteria, discoloration, and spoilage if not properly stored.
By refrigerating your opened Kraft Parmesan cheese, you can extend its shelf life significantly. The cool temperature of the refrigerator slows down the growth of bacteria and helps maintain the cheese's flavor and texture.
In addition to refrigeration, it is important to follow proper storage practices. Keep the Kraft Parmesan cheese in its original container or transfer it to an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Ensure that the cheese is protected from moisture and that the container is undamaged.
With proper refrigeration and storage, your opened Kraft Parmesan cheese can maintain its best quality for about 10 to 12 months. However, even beyond this timeframe, the cheese may still be safe to consume, although the flavor and texture may start to deteriorate.
It is always important to inspect the cheese for any signs of spoilage before consumption. If you notice any mold, discoloration, or foul odors, discard the cheese immediately. Trust your senses of smell and taste to determine if the cheese has gone bad.
In summary, to maximize the shelf life and quality of your Kraft Parmesan cheese after opening, it is essential to refrigerate it and practice proper storage techniques. By doing so, you can safely enjoy your cheese for many months while preserving its flavor and texture.
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It will last weeks to months after opening
Kraft Parmesan cheese will last for weeks to months after opening, depending on storage conditions. It is recommended to store opened grated Parmesan cheese in the refrigerator to maximise its shelf life. Kraft advises storing its cheeses in the refrigerator at a normal temperature of 40 degrees F, and only keeping them at room temperature for up to one hour.
When stored in the refrigerator, Kraft Parmesan cheese can last for about 10 to 12 months after opening. To further extend its shelf life, it can be frozen by placing it in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Frozen Parmesan cheese may lose some of its texture and flavour, and is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.
Properly stored, grated Parmesan cheese will maintain its best quality for about 18 months in the freezer but will remain safe beyond that time. The cheese should be discarded if it develops an off odour, flavour, or appearance, or if mould appears.
The shelf life of Parmesan cheese is far longer than its expiry date, and it is generally safe to use beyond that date. However, it is important to note that the use-by date is a manufacturer's estimate of how long the product will remain at peak quality.
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It will lose flavour over time
Kraft Parmesan cheese will last a long time after opening—months, or even years, if stored correctly. However, it will lose flavour over time.
The shelf life of Kraft Parmesan is far longer than its expiry date. The "best by" date is decided by the marketing department to get people to throw away edible food. It's almost always far shorter than the actual time that the cheese will be good for, provided it's stored properly.
The precise answer to how long Kraft Parmesan cheese lasts after opening depends to a large extent on storage conditions. To maximise the shelf life of opened grated Parmesan cheese, keep it in the refrigerator. Kraft advises storing its cheeses in the refrigerator at a normal temperature of 40 degrees F and only keeping them at room temperature for up to one hour.
Kraft Parmesan cheese that was sold unrefrigerated will generally stay at best quality for about 10 to 12 months in the refrigerator after it has been opened. To further extend the shelf life, you can freeze it. However, frozen Parmesan cheese may lose some of its texture and flavour. The thawed cheese will be best suited to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups and casseroles.
Properly stored, grated Parmesan cheese will maintain its best quality for about 18 months in the freezer but will remain safe beyond that time. The cheese will keep safe indefinitely if it's been kept constantly frozen at 0°F.
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It can be frozen to extend its shelf life
Kraft Parmesan cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life. This is a great option if you have too much Parmesan cheese and don't want it to spoil.
Parmesan cheese has a low moisture content, making it ideal for freezing. It doesn't tend to clump together, and is not very susceptible to freezer burn. Grated Parmesan cheese should stay soft even while frozen. It can be used directly out of the freezer, without any need to thaw ahead of time.
To freeze grated Parmesan cheese, place it in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Frozen Parmesan cheese may lose some of its texture and flavour, so it is best suited to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups and casseroles.
If you are freezing a block of Parmesan cheese, cut it into portion-sized blocks. Then, grate the cheese using the finest grater you can find. This will help the cheese to withstand the freezing process better. Place the grated cheese into an airtight container, seal the container tightly, and label and date it. Finally, place the container into a freezer bag, remove the excess air, seal it, and place it in the freezer.
Frozen grated Parmesan cheese will maintain its best quality for about 18 months in the freezer, but will remain safe beyond that time. A block of Parmesan cheese that has been frozen will keep its quality for over a year.
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It can be identified as spoiled by smell and appearance
Kraft Parmesan cheese is sold with a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before," or "Best When Used By" date. However, this is not a safety date but rather the manufacturer's estimate of how long the product will remain at peak quality. In fact, Kraft Parmesan cheese can last for weeks or even months after opening without any risk of spoilage, provided it is stored properly. To maximize its shelf life, it should be kept in the refrigerator.
That being said, Kraft Parmesan cheese can be identified as spoiled by smell and appearance. If the cheese develops an off odor, flavor, or appearance, it should be discarded. If mold appears, all of the cheese should be discarded. The cheese should also be thrown out if there is any discoloration, foul odor, or moisture.
It's important to note that the shelf life of Kraft Parmesan cheese can vary depending on storage conditions and the product's best-by date. While the cheese may still be safe to consume past its best-by date, the flavor and quality may begin to deteriorate over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Kraft Parmesan cheese will last a minimum of a few weeks to a few months after opening if stored in the refrigerator.
The best way to tell if Kraft Parmesan cheese has gone bad is to examine its odour, flavour, and appearance. If the cheese has developed an off odour, flavour, or appearance, it should be discarded. If there is any sign of mould, discard the entire container of cheese.
To extend the shelf life of opened Kraft Parmesan cheese, store it in the refrigerator or freezer. To freeze, place the cheese in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Frozen Parmesan cheese may lose some of its texture and flavour, so it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.
Yes, Kraft advises storing its cheeses in the refrigerator at a temperature of 40 degrees F, only keeping them at room temperature for up to one hour.
Parmigiano-Reggiano has a protected cultural status with strict requirements. It can only be made in a specific region of northern Italy from local cow's milk and using specific historical methods. It must also be aged for a minimum of about one year. Parmesan does not have these restrictions and can be made from any milk, anywhere. The aging process for Parmesan is shorter, at around 10 months.
