Cheese Lifespan: How Long Does It Last?

Cheese is a beloved food item, but it doesn't last forever. The shelf life of cheese depends on its type, processing method, packaging date, exposure to heat, storage method, and “best by” date. Generally, harder cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano last the longest, while softer cheeses like cream cheese, Brie, and mozzarella have shorter shelf lives. Proper storage is key to extending the life of cheese; it should be wrapped in something breathable and stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower. Freezing cheese is not recommended, especially for soft cheeses, as it can alter the taste and texture. To determine if cheese has gone bad, use your senses: look for mold, smell for unpleasant odours, and, if you're still unsure, take a small bite to test its taste and texture.

How long does hard cheese last?

Hard cheese will last a long time, especially when compared to soft cheeses. The harder the cheese, the longer it keeps, as bacteria struggle to grow in dry, low-moisture environments.

Hard cheeses, such as Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, aged cheddar, aged Gouda, and Pecorino, can last up to four to six months in the fridge if stored correctly. Unopened hard cheese blocks can last up to six months in the fridge, and eight months in the freezer. Once opened, hard cheese is safe to eat for about four to six weeks.

To extend the shelf life of hard cheese, it should be stored in a refrigerator at 40°F or lower immediately after each use. It should be kept in its original wrapper or a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

You can also freeze hard cheese for a few months, preserving its taste if you use a freezer-safe container that is void of oxygen. Cheese may change texture when frozen and may appear dry and crumbly when thawed.

How to tell if hard cheese has gone bad? Your senses are usually the most reliable instruments. Some common traits of cheese going bad are a darker colour, a harder texture, and a stronger smell. Once you see or smell mould growth, hard cheese can be saved by cutting away the mould and an inch of the cheese surrounding it. However, if there is red or black mould, the entire block should be thrown out.

How long does semi-hard cheese last?

Semi-hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, and Provolone, will last longer than softer cheeses because they have been aged for longer and contain less moisture. When stored properly in the fridge, an unopened package of semi-hard cheese can last between two and four months. However, once the package has been opened, the cheese should be consumed within two to three weeks, or two to four weeks after the expiration date.

To extend the shelf life of semi-hard cheese, it should be stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower immediately after each use. It should also be stored in its original wrapper or a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

You can also freeze semi-hard cheese to make it last for up to two months. However, freezing may cause the cheese to change in texture, appearing dry and crumbly when thawed. Additionally, cheese that has been frozen will taste slightly different.

To determine if semi-hard cheese has gone bad, use your senses of sight, smell, and taste. Some common traits of cheese going bad are a darker colour, harder texture, and a stronger smell. Your cheese has gone bad when you see or smell mould growth. Once mould is visible, you should cut away the mould and at least one inch of the cheese surrounding it without touching the mould with your knife. Be sure to pay attention to the colour of the mould; white, blue, or green mould is natural and can be cut off, but red or black mould could be dangerous and indicates that the cheese should be thrown out.

How long does soft cheese last?

Soft cheeses, such as ricotta, feta, mozzarella, cottage cheese, cream cheese, Neufchâtel, Gorgonzola, and Camembert, have a high moisture content, making them more perishable than harder cheeses.

In general, soft cheese will last about one week in the fridge, but the quality and taste will be at their best before that time is up. Soft cheese should be stored in a little Tupperware container or plastic jar to limit airflow.

It's important to note that soft cheeses are more susceptible to mould than harder cheeses. Therefore, if you see any mould on soft cheese, it's best to throw it out.

To maximise the shelf life of soft cheese, it's recommended to store it in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower immediately after each use. It should be stored in its original wrapper or a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

How to store cheese

The best way to store cheese depends on its type: hard, semi-hard, semi-soft, or soft.

Hard Cheeses

Hard cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Grana Padano, or Pecorino can last for 4 to 6 months if unopened. Wrapping hard cheeses in something breathable, like cheesecloth, parchment paper, or wax paper, will help them retain good quality for between a month and two months after opening. They can also be stored in an airtight container.

Hard cheeses can be frozen, especially if you grate them first. They will keep in the freezer for a few months.

Semi-Hard and Semi-Soft Cheeses

Semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses, such as Emmental, Gouda, Cheddar, Roquefort, or Gruyère, last between a month and a couple of months unopened. Once opened, you have a generous 2 to 4 weeks of good quality.

For storage, you can either wrap the cheese in parchment or cheese paper and place it in a food (or freezer) bag, or reuse the original packaging by rolling or wrapping the top.

These cheeses can also be frozen, and they will keep for a few months.

Soft Cheeses

Soft cheeses include cream cheese, Brie, feta, ricotta, mozzarella, and cottage cheese. Cream cheese, for example, lasts for a couple of months unopened and will be fine for two to three weeks after its date. However, it only keeps for about a week once opened.

Brie, on the other hand, will keep for up to a week (maybe two) past its date, regardless of whether it has been opened. This is because the cheese continues to ripen in the fridge.

Other soft cheeses are somewhere in between, and it can be challenging to provide general storage guidelines for this category.

General Tips

• Cheese should be stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower.
• Cheese should be stored in its original wrapper or a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.
• Cheese should be kept out of the fridge for no longer than two hours at a time, as its temperature will quickly increase.
• Cheese should be wrapped gently in a breathable material like parchment paper before placing it in the fridge.
• Cheese bags can be purchased to keep in humidity and prevent dryness while allowing the cheese to breathe.
• Plastic wrap can be used in a pinch, but it may impart a plasticky flavour to the cheese.
• For freezing, use a freezer-safe container that is void of oxygen.

How to tell if cheese has gone bad

Cheese is a dairy product, so one of the signs of spoilage is an "off" smell. Depending on the type of cheese, this scent can be of spoiled milk, ammonia, or even of a refrigerator or freezer. If you are familiar with the smell of a particular cheese, and the cheese you have smells like a much more concentrated version, it's probably a safe bet that it's no longer safe to eat.

Appearance is another indicator. If the cheese has changed colour, such as fading or darkening, or if there are signs of mould growth, it may be a sign that the cheese has gone bad. However, some mould on cheese is harmless, and some types of cheese are intentionally inoculated with moulds to achieve a specific flavour or texture. If there is only a small amount of mould on a hard cheese, you can try to salvage it by cutting off the affected area (plus a little extra) with a clean knife. The remaining cheese should be safe to eat, as long as it looks and smells okay.

The texture of the cheese can also indicate whether or not it has gone bad. Hard cheeses like Cheddar can start to crack when they spoil due to changes in the cheese's moisture content and the growth of unwanted bacteria. Soft white mould cheeses like Camembert can become slimy when they spoil due to the growth of unwanted bacteria. If the cheese starts to develop a gritty or grainy texture, this can also be a sign of spoilage.

Finally, if all else fails, you can try a small piece of the cheese to see if it has gone bad. If the cheese tastes sour or has an unpleasant aftertaste, it has likely gone bad.

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