Blue Cheese: How Long Does It Stay Good Unrefrigerated?

Blue cheese is a pungent, salty delicacy for some, but for others, it's already bad and they won't go near it. It's made with an edible variety of mold, but it can still spoil and become unsafe to eat. So, how long will it last unrefrigerated? Well, it's not recommended to keep blue cheese at room temperature for more than four hours, and it should be discarded after two days unrefrigerated.

Unrefrigerated blue cheese should be discarded after two days

Blue cheese is a beloved delicacy for some, but it's certainly not to everyone's taste. It's a pungent, strong-smelling cheese with a distinct blue-green mold. This mold is not the fuzzy kind, but the kind that is safe to eat. However, blue cheese can go bad, and when it does, it can become unsafe to consume.

If you've left your blue cheese unrefrigerated, it's best to discard it after two days. Leaving it out on the counter will cause it to spoil more quickly. While hard cheeses like Parmesan can sit out for a while, blue cheese is a semi-soft cheese and is more susceptible to spoilage.

To keep your blue cheese fresh for as long as possible, it's important to store it properly. Blue cheese should be refrigerated and wrapped well. The ideal temperature for storing blue cheese is between 46°F and 55°F (8°C to 13°C). You can wrap it in wax paper, cheese paper, or parchment paper, and then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container. Make sure the wrap isn't too tight, as the mold in blue cheese needs air to thrive.

Even when stored correctly, blue cheese will only last for about one to two months in the refrigerator. If you're not planning to use it within that time frame, freezing is an option. Freezing will alter the texture and taste of the cheese, making it more crumbly and less sharp in flavor, but it will still work well in cooked dishes.

It's important to be able to recognize the signs of spoilage in blue cheese. Firstly, check the color of the creamy part of the cheese. If you notice any hints of pink, green, brown, or yellow, discard the cheese. Secondly, look for changes in texture. If the cheese becomes slimy or fuzzy, or if it dries out and hardens, it's time to throw it out. Thirdly, use your sense of smell. Fresh blue cheese has a strong, pungent scent, but when it goes bad, it can develop an ammonia-like smell. Lastly, if everything else seems normal, you can try tasting a small amount of the cheese. Spoiled blue cheese will have an unpleasantly strong, sharp flavor.

Refrigerated blue cheese lasts for three to four weeks

Blue cheese is a pungent and salty cheese that can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. This is a general guideline and the exact duration may vary based on factors such as the cheese's quality, storage practices, and original packaging.

To maximise the shelf life of blue cheese, it is important to store it properly. Here are some tips to ensure your blue cheese lasts as long as possible:

• Blue cheese should always be refrigerated. The ideal temperature range is between 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C).
• Make sure the cheese is well-wrapped to prevent it from drying out, while still allowing it to breathe. You can use wax paper, cheese wrap, or aluminium foil.
• Place the wrapped cheese in a plastic bag or airtight container to prevent cross-contamination and odour absorption.
• Store blue cheese on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, preferably in a crisper drawer, to maintain a stable temperature.
• Keep blue cheese away from other foods to prevent the mould spores from contaminating them.

By following these storage guidelines, you can expect your blue cheese to last for three to four weeks in the refrigerator. However, it's important to regularly examine the cheese for any signs of spoilage, as the duration may vary depending on the specific batch and storage conditions.

Frozen blue cheese is best consumed within six months

Blue cheese is a pungent, edible mould that is perfectly safe to eat. However, it does not last long unrefrigerated. If left out, it will spoil in a few days and should be discarded after two days.

If you want to keep blue cheese for longer, it is best to freeze it. Frozen blue cheese can last indefinitely when stored at 0°F, but for the best taste and texture, it should be consumed within six months. After this time, the cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour.

To freeze blue cheese, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. Wrap the portions tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.

When you are ready to use your frozen blue cheese, defrost it in the fridge and consume it within three to four days. Alternatively, if you thaw the cheese in the microwave or in cold water, use it immediately. The cheese will be best suited to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

Signs of spoilage include a strong ammonia-like smell, discolouration, fuzzy mould, and a sharp taste

Blue cheese is a pungent variety of cheese with a strong, sharp taste and a powerful scent. It's an acquired taste, with some finding the distinctive blue veins of mould off-putting, while others consider it a delicacy. But how do you know when blue cheese has gone bad?

Signs of Spoilage

Blue cheese is usually safe to eat for a few weeks after its printed expiry date, but it can go bad. Signs of spoilage include a strong ammonia-like smell, discolouration, fuzzy mould, and a sharp taste.

Strong Ammonia-Like Smell

Blue cheese has a strong, distinctive smell, but it shouldn't smell like ammonia. If it does, it's probably gone bad.

Discolouration

The creamy part of the cheese should be white, beige, or yellow. If it has turned pink, brown, or green, it has likely spoiled.

Fuzzy Mould

Blue cheese has mould in it by design, but it's not fuzzy. If you see patches of grey or black mould that are fuzzy, discard the cheese.

Sharp Taste

Fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste, but when it goes bad, it becomes even more biting. If it's too strong to enjoy, throw it away.

Storing Blue Cheese

To prevent spoilage, blue cheese should be stored in the fridge, wrapped well so it doesn't dry out, but with some breathing room. It's best to use it within 7-10 days of opening, but it can last for up to a month in the fridge if stored correctly.

Proper storage involves wrapping the cheese in wax paper and placing it in an airtight container in the fridge

Proper storage is key to maintaining the flavour, texture, and freshness of blue cheese. To store blue cheese correctly, wrap it in wax paper, then place it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Firstly, remove any plastic packaging. Then, wrap the cheese in wax paper, ensuring it is not wrapped too tightly so that the cheese can breathe. Place the wrapped cheese in an airtight container, such as a plastic bag or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the warmest part of the fridge, such as the vegetable drawer, and be sure to keep it away from strongly aromatic foods.

Check the cheese regularly and rewrap if necessary. Blue cheese should be consumed within 7-10 days for optimal freshness, but it can last for up to 3-4 weeks if stored correctly.

It is important to note that blue cheese should not be left unrefrigerated for more than two days, as it will quickly spoil.

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