Maytag Blue Cheese: How Long Does It Last?

Maytag Blue Cheese is a semi-hard, blue-veined cheese with a distinctive flavour and aroma. It is produced on the Maytag Dairy Farms outside Newton, Iowa, and has been handcrafted since 1941. The cheese is aged in caves and known for its bold, tangy flavour and crumbly texture. But how long does it last? The answer depends on storage conditions and whether the cheese is unopened or opened.

How to store Maytag Blue Cheese

Maytag Blue Cheese is a semi-hard, blue-veined cheese with a distinctive flavour and aroma. To ensure that this cheese lasts as long as possible and remains in the best condition, it is important to follow some specific storage instructions.

Firstly, it is imperative to keep the cheese refrigerated at all times. When storing an opened package of Maytag Blue Cheese, it is recommended to wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better protection, one can first wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator.

If you want to extend the shelf life of the cheese, you can also freeze it. To do this, 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. Frozen in this way, the cheese will maintain its best quality for about six months but will remain safe to consume beyond that time frame.

Additionally, if you notice any mould on the cheese, cut away at least one inch around and below the affected area, being careful not to touch the mould with the knife, and then re-cover the cheese in fresh wrap.

By following these storage instructions, you can ensure that your Maytag Blue Cheese remains in optimal condition and can be enjoyed over a longer period.

Maytag Blue Cheese's taste and texture

Maytag Blue Cheese is a semi-hard, blue-veined cheese with a distinctive flavour and texture. It is handcrafted and carefully cave-aged, wrapped in signature silver and blue foil. The cheese is produced on the Maytag Dairy Farms, just outside Newton, Iowa, and has been since 1941. The cheese is made with unpasteurised cow's milk from Holstein cattle.

Maytag Blue Cheese has a bold, tangy flavour and a rich and creamy, crumble-ready texture. It is described as having a perfect balance of tang, funk and salty-sweetness. The cheese is ripened over six months, during which it develops a dense, crumbly texture and semi-sharp flavour. The cheese melts in the mouth, releasing a slightly tangy flavour with a lemony finish.

The cheese is aged in specially designed caves, where it is exposed to high humidity and cool temperatures. This process gives the cheese its characteristic green veins, produced by the addition of Penicillium. The cheese is then wrapped in wax or parchment paper and covered with plastic wrap or aluminium foil for storage.

Maytag Blue Cheese is versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. It can be displayed on a charcuterie board, melted over grilled meats or roasted vegetables, or crumbled into salads, crackers or burgers. It pairs well with a glass of ale or lager.

The history of Maytag Blue Cheese

Maytag Blue Cheese has been handcrafted on the Maytag Dairy Farms, just outside of Newton, Iowa, since 1941. It was first produced by Frederick Louis Maytag II and Robert Maytag, grandsons of the founder of the Maytag appliance company, Frederick Louis Maytag I. The milk for the cheese initially came from a herd of Holstein cattle established by Elmer Henry Maytag, a son of the Maytag founder.

The process used to make Maytag Blue Cheese was developed and patented by two Iowa State University microbiologists, Clarence Lane and Bernard W. Hammer. Roquefort, another type of blue cheese, had been made in Europe for hundreds of years, but attempts to manufacture a similar cheese in the United States had been unsuccessful. Lane and Hammer's process involved homogenizing the milk, separating the cream from the milk, homogenizing the cream, and then adding it back into the skim milk. This allowed for proper fat hydrolysis, which affects the flavour of the cheese. Their process also included a ripening period before adding rennet, a mixture of enzymes that coagulates milk into curds and whey.

The result of Lane and Hammer's process was a cheese with a more uniform colour, flavour, and texture than previous processes, resulting in a consistent product. Maytag Blue Cheese is ripened over six months, during which it develops a dense, crumbly texture and semi-sharp flavour. The cheese is then aged in specially designed caves, where it is exposed to high humidity and cool temperatures.

In recent years, Maytag Dairy Farms has faced some challenges, including a Listeria outbreak in 2016 that halted production for several months. The company also underwent changes in ownership in 2019 and 2022, which may have impacted the taste of the cheese. Despite these challenges, Maytag Blue Cheese remains a popular and iconic variety of blue cheese.

How to identify bad Maytag Blue Cheese

Maytag Blue Cheese is a semi-hard blue-veined cheese with a distinctive flavour and aroma. It is a popular cheese, crafted by hand since 1941 and cave-aged to develop its unique characteristics. However, it is prone to spoilage, so it is important to know how to identify when it has gone bad.

Firstly, check the texture of the cheese. Maytag Blue Cheese should be dense and crumbly, but not dry. If the cheese has become very hard, this is a sign that it has spoiled. Similarly, if the cheese has become too soft or crumbly, it is likely past its best.

Secondly, examine the colour of the cheese. Maytag Blue Cheese should have a uniform colour with distinctive blue veining. If the cheese has darkened or the colour has changed significantly, it is likely to have spoiled.

Thirdly, use your sense of smell. Maytag Blue Cheese has a strong, pungent odour. If the cheese has developed a very strong smell, this may indicate that it has gone bad.

Finally, check for the presence of mould. Maytag Blue Cheese is injected with Penicillium to create its characteristic green veins. However, if mould appears on the surface of the cheese or in shredded, sliced, or crumbled forms of the cheese, it should be discarded. If mould is present on a solid wedge of cheese, it may be possible to salvage it by cutting away at least one inch around and below the mouldy area, being careful not to touch the mould with the knife.

Maytag Blue Cheese recipes

Maytag Blue Cheese is a semi-hard, blue-veined cheese with a crumbly and dense texture and a tangy, savoury, lemony flavour. It is produced on the Maytag Dairy Farms outside Newton, Iowa, and has been handcrafted since 1941 using traditional curing methods.

Maytag Blue Cheese Dressing

This is the most popular and most requested recipe from Maytag Dairy Farms. The dressing can be used to top a classic wedge salad or as a dip for spicy Buffalo wings. To make it, simply mix together cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and a dry Buttermilk Ranch salad dressing mix, then blend in crumbled Maytag Blue Cheese. Chill the mixture before serving.

Maytag Blue and Bacon Dip

A classic flavour combination, this dip is perfect for entertaining. Enjoy it with pretzels, chips, or fresh veggies.

Maytag Blue Cheese Coleslaw

Add a special tang to your favourite summer side dish by swapping in Maytag Blue Cheese in your coleslaw recipe.

Mexican Street Corn with Maytag Blue

Take your summer sweet corn to the next level by using Maytag Blue Cheese instead of queso fresco in this Mexican Street Corn recipe.

Maytag Blue Walnut Crostini

For an easy and portable snack, try Maytag Blue Cheese crostini with the pop of tart grapes and the crunch of walnuts.

Tomato Watermelon Maytag Blue Cheese Salad

This unexpected combination of flavours is perfect for summer. The tangy, salty, and creamy Maytag Blue Cheese contrasts beautifully with the lushness of watermelon and tomatoes.

Maytag Blue Cheese Chips

Elevate your potato chips with Maytag Blue Cheese for a delicious snack.

Smoked Salmon and Maytag Blue Cheese Crostini

Sweet and smoky salmon flavours pair perfectly with the salted, buttery qualities of Maytag Blue Cheese in this crostini recipe.

Maytag Blue Cheese Olives

For the perfect martini garnish or cheeseboard addition, try stuffing olives with Maytag Blue Cheese.

Maytag Blue Cheese Popovers

Add Maytag Blue Cheese to your popovers for a crispy and buttery side dish or snack.

Maytag Blue Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheese Balls

These bite-sized cheeseballs are easy to make and perfect for entertaining.

Maytag Blue Potato Soup

This rich and creamy soup combines the flavours of Maytag Blue and bacon, making it a comforting dish for cold winter days.

Maytag Blue Cheese Fondue

Share a decadent fondue experience with your closest friends or for a special occasion by melting Maytag Blue Cheese and dipping your favourite fondue foods.

Maytag Three Cheese Pasta

A grown-up version of macaroni and cheese, this recipe combines Maytag Blue Cheese and Cheddar cheeses for a comforting and flavourful dish.

Remember, Maytag Blue Cheese also tastes delectable simply crumbled into salads, sprinkled over crackers, or melted onto a burger. Enjoy experimenting with these recipes and savouring the unique flavour of Maytag Blue Cheese!

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