The Lifespan Of Stilton Cheese: How Long Does It Last?

Stilton cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and soups to pizzas and quiches. But how long does it last? When stored in the refrigerator, an unopened package of Stilton cheese can last for up to six months, while an opened package can last for three to four weeks. To maximize the shelf life of Stilton cheese, it should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil and stored in the refrigerator at all times. If you want to extend the shelf life even further, you can freeze Stilton cheese, which will maintain its best quality for about six months.

How to store stilton cheese in the fridge

To store Stilton cheese in the fridge, 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. Make sure the cheese doesn't dry out, but also give it some breathing room.

To further extend the shelf life of Stilton cheese, you can freeze it. 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, Stilton cheese will last for three to four weeks in the refrigerator.

How long does stilton cheese keep in the freezer

When stored in the refrigerator, Stilton cheese can last for 3 to 4 weeks. However, if you want to extend its shelf life, freezing is an option.

To freeze Stilton cheese, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. Then, wrap the portions tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag.

When stored in the freezer, Stilton cheese can maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but it will remain safe to consume beyond that period. However, it is important to note that freezing may cause the cheese to become crumbly and lose some of its flavour. Therefore, it is recommended to use thawed Stilton cheese in cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

Once defrosted, a wedge of Stilton cheese can be kept in the refrigerator for an additional 3 to 4 days before use. If the cheese was thawed in the microwave or in cold water, it should be consumed immediately.

Signs that stilton cheese has gone bad

It's important to know when your Stilton cheese has gone bad, and there are several signs to look out for. Firstly, smell the cheese. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but if it has gone bad, it will develop an ammonia-like smell. If the smell is very strong and different from when you first bought it, it's likely gone bad.

Next, examine the colour of the cheese. The creamy part of the cheese should be white, beige, or yellow. If you notice any pink, brown, green, or blue hues that weren't there before, it's a sign that your Stilton has likely spoiled.

You should also check for changes in texture. If the surface appears slimy or fuzzy, it's best to discard the cheese. Additionally, if the cheese has developed a very hard texture, it's probably no longer safe to eat.

Finally, taste can be an indicator. If the cheese has gone bad, it will have an especially sharp and biting flavour that may be too strong to enjoy. However, it's important to note that tasting a small amount of spoiled cheese is usually not harmful.

If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the cheese to avoid any potential health risks.

How to tell if stilton cheese is safe to eat

To tell if Stilton cheese is safe to eat, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, check the expiration date on the packaging. If the cheese is past this date, it's best to throw it away. Another way to tell if Stilton cheese has gone bad is to smell it. If it has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled and should be discarded.

It is also important to examine the colour of the cheese. If the creamy part of the cheese has turned pink, brown, green, or yellow, it has likely spoiled. Additionally, if the cheese has developed a slimy or fuzzy texture, it should be discarded.

If the cheese still smells fresh and hasn't changed colour, you can usually tell if it has gone bad by tasting it. Fresh Stilton cheese has a strong, sharp taste, whereas old cheese becomes especially biting when it starts to spoil. If the taste is too strong, it's best to throw it away.

Finally, proper storage is key to keeping Stilton cheese safe to eat. It should be kept in the refrigerator at all times and wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper before covering it with plastic wrap and refrigerating. With proper storage, Stilton cheese will last for 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.

How to serve stilton cheese

To serve Stilton cheese, it is recommended to take it out of the fridge up to 2 hours before serving to allow it to reach room temperature. This helps to unlock the flavours of the cheese. It is best served with crackers, plum bread, or fruit such as grapes or apple slices, and paired with sweet wines like Port, dessert wine, or a full-bodied, robust red wine.

Stilton is a crumbly cheese, so it is well-suited to being crumbled over salads, soups, and dips. It can also be sliced for sandwiches or grated straight from the freezer for last-minute recipes.

• Stilton dip or salad dressing: crumble Stilton into a bowl and mix with plain yoghurt, fromage frais, or soured cream. Add lemon juice and seasoning to taste.
• Stilton in soup: crumble Stilton into your favourite soup.
• Stilton summer salad: crumble Stilton over rocket or lettuce with watercress and drizzle with a light dressing.
• Stilton pâté: beat Stilton with half its weight of butter, a little milk, a pinch of mace, and some sherry to a smooth paste. Press into individual pots, chill, and serve.
• Stilton avocado starter: mix Stilton with a little mayonnaise and a few chopped, seeded grapes or fresh pineapple, and use to fill a halved avocado.
• Stilton rarebit: blend Stilton with a little cider and diced apple. Spread on fingers of toast and grill.
• Stilton filo parcels: place slices of Stilton on 3 or 4 layers of filo pastry. Fold into neat parcels and bake in a hot oven for 10-15 minutes.
• Stilton jackets: instead of butter, mix a little Stilton with potato scooped from a halved jacket potato and put back into the skins and cook until melted.
• Stilton and beans on toast: melt Stilton on top of the beans.
• Stilton mash: melt crumbled Stilton into mashed potato and serve with sausages and onion gravy.
• Stilton quiche: replace the cheese with Stilton in quiches.
• Stilton pizza: top pizza with crumbled Stilton.

Properly stored, a wedge of Stilton cheese will last for 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.

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