Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a pungent, salty, and semi-soft cheese that can be stored in a suction bag and kept in the refrigerator. When stored properly, blue cheese can last for about 1 to 2 months in the refrigerator. To maximize its shelf life, it is important to wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and for even better results, wrap it first in wax or parchment paper. Additionally, blue cheese should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, which is usually the bottom shelf or drawers. If stored correctly, blue cheese will retain its quality for 6-8 months, but it is recommended to consume it within 3 to 4 weeks of opening for the best taste and texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Blue cheese storage | Refrigerate at all times |
| Blue cheese packaging | Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil; for better results, wrap in wax or parchment paper first |
| Blue cheese shelf life | 1-2 months in the refrigerator |
| Blue cheese shelf life (unopened) | 1-6 months |
| Blue cheese shelf life (opened) | 3-4 weeks |
| Blue cheese shelf life (frozen) | 6 months |
| Blue cheese signs of spoilage | Hard texture, dark colour, strong smell, presence of fuzzy mould |
What You'll Learn
Blue cheese storage methods
Blue cheese is a pungent, unique-tasting cheese that is loved by many. It is a semi-soft cheese with a high moisture content, which means it has a shorter shelf life than harder cheeses. To keep blue cheese fresh for as long as possible, follow these steps:
Storage Materials
The best way to store blue cheese is to wrap it in wax or parchment paper, then place it in plastic wrap or foil. This ensures the cheese doesn't dry out and protects it from unwanted bacteria. If you're storing blue cheese in the freezer, place the double-wrapped cheese in a plastic freezer bag to protect it from freezer burn. An airtight container can also be used for extra protection.
Storage Location
The best place to store blue cheese is on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, as this is usually the coldest part. If your refrigerator has drawers, this is the ideal place to store blue cheese, as the temperature will remain stable. The optimal temperature for storing blue cheese is between 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C).
Storage Duration
Unopened blue cheese can last between one and six months, depending on its packaging. Once opened, blue cheese should be consumed within three to four weeks. If you're storing blue cheese in the freezer, it will maintain its best quality for about six months but will remain safe to eat beyond that.
Signs of Spoilage
To tell if blue cheese has spoiled, check for the following:
- A strong, ammonia-like smell
- A change in colour of the creamy part of the cheese to pink, brown, green, or blue
- A slimy or fuzzy texture
- A very hard texture
- A strong, biting taste
Other Tips
- If you're storing blue cheese in the refrigerator, ensure the temperature is not set above 40°F.
- Keep blue cheese away from other foods to prevent the mould spores from contaminating them.
- If you're storing a wedge of blue cheese, cut off at least one inch around and below any mouldy areas, rather than throwing away the whole wedge.
- If you're storing crumbled blue cheese, seal the package tightly and consume within about a week for the best results.
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How to spot bad blue cheese
Blue cheese is a pungent, semi-soft cheese with a strong smell and distinct flavour. It is made using cultures of Penicillium, a type of edible mould. While blue cheese is supposed to have a strong smell, there are some clear signs that it has gone bad.
Colour
The creamy part of the cheese is normally white, beige, or yellow. If you notice that it has started to turn pink, brown, or green, the cheese has likely spoiled.
Texture
If the surface of the cheese appears slimy or fuzzy, it has probably gone bad. Good blue cheese should have greenish-blue veins and a body that is cream to white in colour.
Smell
Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but it changes as it starts to go bad. If the cheese has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled.
Taste
If the blue cheese still smells the same and hasn't changed colour, you may be able to tell if it's gone bad by giving it a taste. Fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste, whereas old cheese becomes especially biting when it starts to spoil. If it's too strong to enjoy, you should throw it away.
Expiration Date
Always check the expiration date on the packaging. If it's been more than a few weeks since the "sell-by" date, it's best to throw the cheese away.
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Blue cheese shelf life
Blue cheese is a pungent, sharp-tasting cheese that contains edible mould. It is a perishable food item and can go bad. Its shelf life depends on how it is stored and the type of blue cheese.
Unopened Blue Cheese
Unopened blue cheese can be stored in the refrigerator and has a shelf life of one to six months, depending on its packaging. If it is wrapped in cheese paper and inside a carton package, it will likely have a shorter shelf life. If it is sealed airtight, it will stay good for longer.
Opened Blue Cheese
Once the package is opened, blue cheese should be consumed within three to four weeks. If you are unable to finish the cheese within this time, it can be stored in the freezer.
Freezing Blue Cheese
To store blue cheese in the freezer, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. Wrap the cheese tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, it will maintain its best quality for about six months but will remain safe to eat beyond this time.
Signs of Spoilage
The best way to tell if blue cheese has spoiled is to smell it. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but this changes as it starts to go bad. If it has an ammonia-like smell, it should be discarded. The colour of the cheese can also indicate if it has gone bad. Fresh blue cheese typically has a white, beige, or yellow creamy part. If this starts to turn pink, brown, or green, it has likely spoiled. A slimy or fuzzy texture is another sign of spoilage.
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Blue cheese packaging
Blue cheese is a pungent, mouldy cheese that is perfectly safe to eat. However, it can go bad and needs to be stored correctly.
Shelf Life
Blue cheese has a shelf life of one to six months, depending on its packaging. If it is wrapped in cheese paper and inside a carton package, it will have a shorter shelf life. If it is sealed airtight, it will last much longer.
Storage
To maximise the shelf life of blue cheese, it should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating. It should be stored in the refrigerator at all times, ideally at a temperature of 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C). The lower the temperature, the longer it will stay fresh.
Expiry Dates
Blue cheese should be consumed within three to four weeks of opening. If it is left unrefrigerated, it should be discarded after two days. Refrigerated cheese should be thrown away after three to four weeks.
Freezing
Blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life. To do this, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen in this way, blue cheese will maintain its best quality for about six months but will remain safe to eat beyond that time.
Signs of Spoilage
Blue cheese that is going bad will develop a very hard texture, will darken in colour, will develop a strong smell, and mould may appear. The mould native to blue cheese is not fuzzy and is blue-grey to blue-green in colour. If there are patches of grey or black mould that are fuzzy, the cheese should be discarded. The colour of the flesh of the cheese will also change when it goes bad, turning pink, green, brown, or yellow. The smell will become stronger and more ammonia-like.
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Blue cheese temperature
Blue cheese is a semi-soft cheese with a pungent taste and scent. It is made with cultures of the mold Penicillium and is safe to eat. However, blue cheese can spoil, and its shelf life depends on how it is stored.
The best temperature for storing blue cheese is between 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C). This is similar to the temperature at which the cheese matures. The temperature in a typical refrigerator is usually a bit lower, so putting the cheese in the crisper drawer can help maintain the ideal temperature range.
Blue cheese should be stored in the refrigerator at all times and kept away from other cheeses and food to prevent the spread of mold spores. It should be wrapped well to prevent it from drying out but also given some breathing room.
When it comes to freezing blue cheese, it is recommended to 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 blue cheese can last for about six months, but the taste and texture may change slightly.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese will keep in a suction bag for 1 to 2 weeks. However, it is not recommended to store blue cheese in plastic wrap as it cuts off the air supply and traps in moisture, which can cause the cheese to become slimy and mouldy. Instead, it is best to wrap blue cheese in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap or aluminium foil before refrigerating.
Blue cheese that has gone bad will typically develop a very hard texture, will darken in colour, will develop a strong smell and mould may appear. The cheese should be discarded if it has turned pink, green, brown or yellow, or if it has an ammonia-like smell.
Blue cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, with the ideal temperature being between 46°F - 55°F (or 8°C - 13°C). It should be wrapped well to prevent it from drying out, but it should also have some breathing room. It is recommended to store blue cheese in the bottom shelf or drawers of the refrigerator, as this is usually the coldest part.
