Cheese Lifespan: How Long Does Opened Cheese Last?

Cheese is a tasty, nutritious, and versatile food. However, it's important to know how long opened cheese lasts in the fridge to avoid eating spoiled cheese. The shelf life of opened cheese depends on the type of cheese and how it's stored. Soft cheeses like mozzarella, feta, and goat cheese are more perishable and typically last for about a week in the fridge. Harder cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. When stored properly in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in the coldest part of the fridge, they can last for a few weeks to a couple of months.

Soft cheese lasts 1 week in the fridge

Soft cheese typically lasts about one week in the fridge. This is because soft cheeses have a high moisture content, which makes them more perishable than harder cheeses. Their shelf life is shorter, and they are more prone to spoilage from bacteria.

To get the most out of your soft cheese, proper storage is key. For cheese sold in brine, like feta or fresh mozzarella, keep it in the liquid and ensure the container's lid is secure. For blue cheese, you can wrap it in foil. Soft-ripened cheese, like Brie, has a delicate rind, so it needs a little more care than other soft cheeses. It's best to wrap it in cheese paper, but you can also use parchment paper and keep it in an airtight container.

To ensure your soft cheese lasts as long as possible, it's important to store it at a safe fridge temperature—below 40°F (4°C). You can purchase a fridge thermometer to monitor this. When storing soft cheese, wrap it in wax, parchment, or cheese paper, and place it on the top or middle shelf, or in a drawer. Keep it above raw meats, poultry, and fish to avoid contamination. Avoid wrapping it in tight, non-porous material like plastic wrap, as this can dry it out and harden it.

Hard cheese lasts 3-4 weeks

Hard cheese, such as aged cheddar, aged gouda, and parmesan, can last for about 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator after being opened. This is because hard cheeses are low in moisture, making it difficult for bacteria to flourish.

To ensure your hard cheese lasts for up to 4 weeks, follow these steps:

• Remove the cheese from its plastic packaging.
• Wrap it loosely in cheese paper or wax paper.
• Put the cheese in a container with an airtight lid.

It is important to note that hard cheeses that haven't been opened can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge.

Additionally, if you notice any mould on hard cheese, simply cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below those spots. White specks or crystallized patches on certain aged hard cheeses are normal and safe to eat. These spots are most likely not mould but calcium lactate crystals, which form when the lactic acid in cheese combines with calcium.

Semi-hard cheese lasts 2-3 weeks

Semi-hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, Comté, aged Manchego, and Monterey Jack, will last for 2-3 weeks in the fridge. This is because they contain less moisture than soft cheeses, which makes them less susceptible to spoilage from bacteria.

To ensure your semi-hard cheese lasts for the full 2-3 weeks, follow these steps for proper storage:

• Remove the cheese from its plastic packaging.
• Wrap it loosely in a pliable yet breathable material, such as wax paper or cheese paper.
• Put the cheese in a container with an airtight lid.

It is worth noting that the shelf life of semi-hard cheese will depend on its moisture content and storage method. Proper storage can dramatically extend the refrigerator life of cheese.

Additionally, it is important to inspect your cheese for any signs of spoilage before consuming it, even if it is within the 2-3 week window. Signs of spoilage include visible mold, an unintentional bitter flavour, a fermented fruit taste, and a fizzy sensation on the tongue.

Fresh cheese lasts a few weeks

The key to keeping cheese fresh is to allow it to breathe and release moisture while protecting it from low humidity in the fridge. Proper storage involves removing the cheese from its plastic packaging and wrapping it loosely in a pliable yet breathable material like wax paper or cheese paper before placing it in an airtight container.

Additionally, it's important to maintain a safe fridge temperature of below 40°F (4°C) to slow down bacterial growth and prevent spoilage.

How to spot signs of cheese going bad

Knowing when cheese has gone bad can be tricky. Each cheese ages and spoils differently, and you often have to use a combination of smell, appearance, and taste to determine whether your cheese is past its prime. Here are some tell-tale signs to look out for:

Smell

The scent of spoiled cheese can vary depending on the type of cheese. It may smell like spoiled milk, ammonia, or even a refrigerator or freezer. A good practice is to smell the cheese when you first purchase it to establish a baseline for how it should normally smell. However, be aware that some cheeses can be pungent and "off"-smelling even when fresh, so don't rely on smell alone. If a mild cheese suddenly smells strong, like blue cheese or Limburger, it's time to discard it. Naturally pungent cheeses like blue cheese or Camembert will have a strong ammonia smell, similar to cat urine, when they've gone bad.

Appearance

Cheese naturally grows mould, so don't be too quick to throw it out at the first sign of surface mould. If your cheese has some surface mould, try trimming at least a quarter of an inch off the affected side. If the area below appears clean and the cheese exhibits no other signs of spoilage, it's likely still safe to eat. However, if the entire piece is covered in thick mould, it may not be worth saving. Be cautious if you see mould on soft cheese, as it can quickly spread throughout the cheese. In this case, it's best to throw it away.

Changes in colour, such as fading or darkening, can also indicate that your cheese is going bad. If your cheese starts to smell like rancid milk along with a change in colour, don't take any chances—throw it away. Additionally, keep an eye out for any sliminess, oil, or bloated packaging, as these are also signs of spoilage.

Taste

When in doubt, you may have to resort to tasting a small piece of the cheese to determine if it has gone bad. If the cheese tastes sour or has an unpleasant aftertaste, it's best to discard it.

General Guidelines

To summarise, use your senses of smell, sight, and taste to spot signs of spoilage. Trust your instincts, and if the cheese seems questionable, it's better to be safe than sorry. Remember that soft cheeses generally last about a week in the fridge after opening, while hard cheeses can last up to a month.

Frequently asked questions