Patrick Oconnell
Cheese is a versatile and tasty ingredient, but it's important to know how long it lasts to avoid eating spoiled cheese. The shelf life of cheese depends on the type of cheese and how it's stored. Soft cheeses tend to spoil more quickly than hard cheeses due to their higher moisture content. Hard cheeses can be stored at room temperature but will last longer when refrigerated. Properly stored, a chunk of brick cheese will last for about two weeks in the refrigerator and two months in the freezer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage conditions | Cheese should be refrigerated at all times and wrapped using wax, parchment, or cheese paper to help maintain its moisture. |
| Shelf life | Unopened hard cheese blocks last up to 6 months in the fridge and 2-3 weeks after opening. Soft cheeses last 1-2 weeks in the fridge after opening. |
| Freezer storage | Properly stored, brick cheese will maintain its best quality for about 2 months in the freezer but will remain safe beyond that time. |
| Thawed brick cheese | If thawed in the fridge, it can be kept for an additional 3-4 days. If thawed in the microwave or cold water, it should be used immediately. |
| Signs of spoilage | Fuzzy, green, or black mold on non-blue cheeses indicates spoilage. Soft cheeses with mold should be discarded, while hard cheeses may be salvageable by cutting away the affected area. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Refrigeration
The shelf life of brick cheese depends on its storage conditions. To maximize its shelf life, brick cheese should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper, then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating. When stored in the refrigerator, a chunk of brick cheese will last for 2 to 3 weeks.
To extend the shelf life of brick cheese even further, you can 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. Properly stored, brick cheese will maintain its best quality for about 2 months in the freezer but will remain safe to eat beyond that time.
Hard cheeses, such as Cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan, can be left out at room temperature for up to two hours, according to the U.S. Department of Health. However, soft cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert, are more perishable and should be discarded if left unrefrigerated for more than two hours. Hard cheeses can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four weeks when wrapped tightly and stored in an airtight container in the coldest part of the fridge. Soft cheeses, on the other hand, should be consumed within one week of opening and stored in the refrigerator.
To determine whether cheese is safe to eat, you can use your senses of sight and smell. If you see spots of mould, cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the mouldy areas, and enjoy the rest. If the cheese smells sweaty, chlorine-like, or ammonia-like, it should be thrown out.
Cheddar Cheese: A Nausea Remedy?
You may want to see also
Freezing
To freeze a brick of cheese, cut it into portions no larger than half a pound each. Wrap each portion tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag to prevent freezer burn.
The flavor of the cheese remains fairly consistent when frozen, but the texture will change. Frozen cheese tends to become crumbly and dry, making it difficult to slice. Therefore, it is recommended to grate or shred the cheese before freezing. This way, it can be used conveniently in cooking, such as sprinkling over pizza or pasta dishes, without needing to be sliced.
When defrosting frozen cheese, it is best to transfer it to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw slowly. Frozen cheese should be used within 2 to 3 days of defrosting. While it can be safe to consume beyond this period, the quality and texture may deteriorate further.
It is important to note that freezing is not the best option for all types of cheese. Creamier cheeses with higher water content, such as Brie and Camembert, are more susceptible to damage during the freezing process. For these varieties, ice crystal formation can negatively impact their texture and overall quality.
Cheese and Nuts: A Healthy Snack Combo?
You may want to see also
Storage materials
The shelf life of a brick of cheese depends on its storage conditions. It is important to store cheese in a container that is reusable, durable, easy to clean, long-lasting, sustainable, and zero-waste. Natural materials like wood are good for maintaining the proper moisture level, creating the humidity cheese needs to extend its shelf life.
To maximize the shelf life of a chunk of brick cheese after opening, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating. A chunk of brick cheese will last for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
To extend the shelf life of brick cheese even further, 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, it will maintain the best quality for about 2 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
If you have a vacuum sealer, it will also keep the cheese fresh for much longer. Hard cheeses can be stored in a freezer and will last for over a month.
Cheese Blintzes: How Long Do They Last in the Fridge?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Soft cheese
Opened soft cheeses should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in the coldest part of the fridge. They can be wrapped in wax, parchment, or cheese paper to help maintain their moisture. It is important to note that soft cheeses should be discarded if mould is present. While mould on some hard cheeses can be cut off, soft cheeses with mould should be thrown away.
Freezing is not recommended for soft cheeses as they do not freeze well and may become crumbly and lose their flavour. However, if you intend to use the cheese for cooking rather than snacking, it can be frozen for a few months.
Cheese Crisps: How Long Do They Last?
You may want to see also
Hard cheese
To extend the shelf life of hard cheese, it should be wrapped in wax, parchment, or cheese paper, and then covered in plastic wrap before being placed in the fridge. This will help the cheese retain its moisture. Hard cheese can also be frozen to extend its shelf life. To do this, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen hard cheese will maintain its best quality for about two months but will remain safe to eat beyond that time.
When determining whether hard cheese is safe to eat, it is important to inspect it for mold. If there are specks of blue or green surface mold, cut off at least one inch around and below the moldy area. If there is red or black mold, the entire block of cheese should be discarded. White specks or crystallized patches on certain aged hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and gouda are normal and safe to eat. These spots are most likely calcium lactate crystals, which form when the lactic acid in cheese combines with calcium.
Colby Cheese for Weight Loss: Good or Bad?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A brick of cheese will last 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. It should be wrapped in wax or parchment paper and then covered in plastic wrap or aluminium foil.
The best way to store a brick of cheese is to wrap it in wax or parchment paper and then cover it in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. It should be stored in the fridge at a temperature below 40°F (4°C).
Yes, a brick of cheese can be frozen and will maintain its best quality for about 2 months. However, it will remain safe to eat beyond this time. Frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour.
A brick of cheese that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using. If the cheese was thawed in the microwave or in cold water, it should be used immediately.
A brick of cheese may have gone bad if it has mould on it. Fuzzy, green, or black mould on non-blue cheeses indicates that it should be discarded. Soft cheeses with mould should also be discarded, while hard cheeses may be salvageable by cutting away the affected area.
