Cheese Storage: Polly-O Cheese's Longevity Secrets Revealed

Polly-O is an American brand of cheese that was started in Brooklyn in 1899 by Giuseppe Pollio, who brought his family's traditional Italian cheese-making methods to the US. The brand is well-known for its ricotta, mozzarella, and string cheeses, and it is currently one of the largest producers of Italian cheeses, manufacturing almost 100 million pounds of cheese each year. With such a wide variety of cheeses available, how long does Polly-O cheese last?

Polly-O cheese shelf life: 60-90 days

Polly-O is an American brand of cheese products, specialising in Italian cheeses. The brand offers a variety of cheeses, including mozzarella, ricotta, and string cheese. The shelf life of Polly-O cheese products varies depending on the specific product and its packaging.

For example, the shelf life of Polly-O's Low Moisture Whole Milk Mozzarella cheese is 60 days. On the other hand, their Fresh Mozzarella String Cheese has a shelf life of 90 days. It is important to note that these shelf lives are the maximum duration the products can be stored while maintaining their optimal flavour and texture.

The length of time cheese lasts depends on the type of cheese and the storage conditions. Soft cheeses tend to spoil more quickly than hard cheeses due to their higher moisture content. Generally, unopened hard cheese blocks can last up to 6 months in the fridge, while soft cheeses last about 1-2 weeks after opening.

To maximise the shelf life of Polly-O cheese products, proper storage is essential. Cheese should be stored in the fridge at a temperature below 40°F (4°C). It should be wrapped in porous materials like wax or parchment paper to prevent it from drying out while allowing it to breathe. Additionally, ensure that it is kept away from raw meats, poultry, and fish to avoid contamination.

Hard cheese lasts longer than soft cheese

Polly-O is an Italian cheese brand that has been around for over 100 years. The company was started by Giuseppe Pollio, an Italian immigrant who came to America in the late 1890s. Polly-O's cheese is handcrafted using traditional Italian methods, and the brand is now under the care of BelGioioso Cheese Inc., a producer of award-winning specialty cheeses.

Polly-O offers a variety of cheeses, including mozzarella, ricotta, and curd. While the brand does not explicitly state the shelf life of its products, we can make some inferences based on the type of cheese. For example, Polly-O's fresh mozzarella string cheese has a shelf life of 90 days when unopened.

In general, hard cheese lasts longer than soft cheese. This is because hard cheeses have a lower moisture content, creating an environment less conducive to bacterial growth. Soft cheeses, such as ricotta, feta, and mozzarella, are more perishable and typically last about a week in the fridge. On the other hand, hard cheeses like aged cheddar, aged Gouda, and Parmigiano Reggiano can last up to four weeks in the refrigerator once opened and about six months unopened.

To extend the shelf life of cheese, proper storage is essential. Soft cheeses sold in brine, like feta or fresh mozzarella, should be kept in their liquid with a secure lid. Blue cheese can be wrapped in foil, while semi-soft cheeses like Brie benefit from being wrapped in cheese paper, parchment paper, or an airtight container. For hard cheeses, it is recommended to remove them from their plastic packaging and wrap them loosely in cheese paper or wax paper before placing them in an airtight container.

How to know if cheese is safe to eat

Polly-O is an American brand of cheese that is well-known for its ricotta, mozzarella, and string cheese products. The shelf life of cheese depends on the type of cheese and whether it has been opened. For example, Polly-O's low-moisture whole milk mozzarella cheese has a shelf life of 60 days, whereas its fresh mozzarella string cheese has a shelf life of 90 days.

Check the best-by date

Most packaged cheeses provide a best-by date, which indicates the date until which the food is expected to remain at its best quality. It is important to note that this is not an expiration date, and the cheese may still be safe to consume after this date. However, the flavour and texture may not be optimal.

Inspect the cheese for any signs of spoilage

Even before the best-by date, cheese can go bad due to quality control issues during manufacturing or improper storage. Look for any visible signs of mould, discolouration, or changes in texture. If you notice any blue or green surface mould on hard cheese, discard the cheese or cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the affected spots. For soft cheeses, crumbled cheeses, shredded cheeses, and sliced cheeses, it is best to discard the entire product if mould is present.

Smell the cheese

Although some types of cheese may have a strong odour, it should not smell like ammonia, chlorine, or sweat. An off-putting or unpleasant odour could indicate that the cheese has gone bad.

Check your fridge temperature

To maintain the freshness of cheese, it is important to store it at a safe temperature. Keep your fridge below 40°F (4°C) to prevent bacteria growth and spoilage. Use a fridge thermometer to monitor the temperature and ensure it stays within a safe range.

Properly wrap and store the cheese

After opening a package of cheese, wrap it in wax, parchment, or cheese paper to maintain moisture and prevent drying out. Avoid using tight, non-porous materials like plastic wrap. Store the cheese on the top or middle shelf of the fridge, or in a drawer, ensuring it is above raw meats, poultry, and fish to avoid contamination.

Freeze the cheese if necessary

If you want to extend the shelf life of your cheese, consider freezing it. Hard cheeses and processed cheese slices do not freeze well, but most other types of cheese can be frozen for up to 6 months at a temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or below.

Freezing Polly-O cheese

Polly-O is an American brand of cheese that is well-known for its ricotta, mozzarella, and string cheeses. The shelf life of Polly-O cheese depends on the type of cheese and whether it has been opened. For example, Polly-O's Fresh Mozzarella String Cheese has a shelf life of 90 days, whereas its Low Moisture Whole Milk Mozzarella has a shelf life of 60 days.

To freeze Polly-O cheese, start by checking that it is safe to eat and hasn't already gone past its best. Then, cut the cheese into portions or slices that will be easy to thaw and use later. Wrap the cheese portions in wax, parchment, or cheese paper, ensuring that it is fully covered. This type of porous material will help to prevent the cheese from drying out in the freezer.

Label the cheese with the date it was frozen and try to use it within 6 months for best results. To thaw frozen Polly-O cheese, transfer it to the refrigerator overnight or for several hours, depending on the size of the portion. It's important to note that frozen and thawed cheese may have a slightly different texture than fresh cheese, but it will still be safe to eat.

Storing Polly-O cheese

Polly-O is an American brand of cheese, specialising in Italian cheeses such as ricotta, mozzarella, and string cheese. The shelf life of Polly-O cheese depends on the type of cheese and whether it has been opened.

Unopened Polly-O Cheese

Unopened Polly-O cheese can be stored in the fridge or at room temperature. Unopened blocks of hard cheese can be stored in the fridge for up to 6 months. The shelf life of unopened Polly-O cheese ranges from 60 days for low-moisture whole milk mozzarella to 90 days for fresh mozzarella string cheese.

Opened Polly-O Cheese

Once opened, Polly-O cheese should be stored in the fridge. Soft cheeses, such as ricotta, should be consumed within 1-2 weeks of opening. Hard cheeses, such as aged cheddar, can last 3-4 weeks in the fridge after opening. To maintain the moisture of the cheese, wrap it in wax, parchment, or cheese paper. Avoid using tight, non-porous materials like plastic wrap, as this can dry out the cheese.

Freezing Polly-O Cheese

Polly-O cheese can also be frozen to extend its shelf life. Soft cheeses like ricotta, cottage cheese, and cream cheese do not freeze well. All other types of Polly-O cheese can be frozen for up to 6 months at a temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or below.

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