Bushra Griffith
Blue cheese is known for its distinct appearance, smell, and taste, which are the result of the mold Penicillium roqueforti. While blue cheese is made with mold, it can still go bad. Knowing how to spot the signs of spoilage is important to prevent food poisoning or the accidental consumption of toxic mold. Blue cheese can last for a few weeks in the fridge if stored properly. If you notice moisture buildup, a change in smell, or a change in appearance, it is likely spoiled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but if it smells like ammonia, stale, or weird, it's likely gone bad. |
| Appearance | If the creamy part of the cheese turns pink, brown, green, blue, black, or yellow, it's likely spoiled. If it has mold that is not blue/green or if it becomes slimy or fuzzy, it's likely bad. |
| Texture | If it becomes overly dry and hard, or if it's meant to be creamy and becomes gritty, it's likely bad. |
| Expiration Date | Blue cheese will generally last three to four weeks if stored properly in the fridge. |
| Storage | Blue cheese should be wrapped in a breathable material like parchment paper, wax paper, or aluminum foil, then placed in an airtight container in the fridge. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Check for an ammonia-like smell
Blue cheese is known for its pungent scent, but it's important to be able to spot the difference between a good blue cheese and one that's gone bad. Blue cheese can spoil fast, so it's important to know how to spot this to avoid food poisoning.
Blue cheese is created by adding Penicillium roqueforti, a species of mold, into the milk or curd used to make the cheese. The mold breaks down the cheese's proteins, making it creamy, and also triggers a process that gives the cheese its distinct blue look, odd smell, and sharp flavor.
The blue mold produces ammonia, which reduces the acidity of the cheese over time. Once the acidity is low enough, other things can start to grow on the cheese, causing it to spoil. If you notice an ammonia-like smell, this is a sign that your blue cheese has spoiled and should be discarded.
The best way to tell if your blue cheese has spoiled is to smell it. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but it changes as it starts to go bad. Give the cheese a sniff, and if it has an ammonia-like smell, it is probably spoiled. It's a good idea to give blue cheese a smell when you've just brought it home, so you know what it should smell like.
If you notice moisture build-up within your cheese's wrapping or container, this is also a bad sign. Improper ventilation will cause the mold to die and change colors, making it unsafe to eat.
Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese: How Long Does It Last?
You may want to see also
Look for colour changes
Blue cheese is known for its distinct appearance, aroma, and texture, so it can be challenging to tell when it has gone bad. However, it is important to be able to identify spoiled blue cheese to avoid food poisoning or the accidental consumption of toxic mould.
One of the biggest indicators that blue cheese has gone bad is a change in colour. Blue cheese typically features blue-green veins of mould and a white, cream, or yellow base. If the mould or the body of the cheese turns black, grey, pink, or yellow, it is likely spoiled. These colour changes are often accompanied by textural changes, such as a slimy or fuzzy exterior mould. Even if your blue cheese is meant to be firm, it should not be dry and chalk-like.
When stored properly, blue cheese can last for several weeks in the refrigerator. However, improper ventilation can cause the mould to die and change colour, making it unsafe to eat. Blue cheese should be wrapped in breathable materials like parchment paper, wax paper, or aluminium foil and stored in an airtight container to prevent moisture loss and ensure optimal ventilation.
In addition to colour and texture changes, a strong ammonia-like smell can indicate that your blue cheese has gone bad. Blue cheese has a distinct pungent scent, but as it spoils, it may develop an unpleasant odour. Trust your senses and discard the cheese if it smells stale or sour.
Cheese By-Products: Healthy or Harmful?
You may want to see also
Feel for changes in texture
Blue cheese is made with mold, which gives it its distinctive look, smell, and taste. The mold used in blue cheese is safe for human consumption, and the cheese is usually safe to eat even if it's moldy. However, blue cheese can still go bad, and it's important to practice basic food safety.
Blue cheese can last a long time if stored properly. It should be wrapped and kept in the refrigerator, where it can last for three to four weeks. Freezing blue cheese can extend its shelf life, but this may alter its texture and appearance.
One way to tell if blue cheese has gone bad is to feel for changes in texture. Blue cheese can be creamy or crumbly, depending on the variety. Even if it's meant to be firm, it shouldn't be overly dry or hard to the point of being chalk-like. If the cheese becomes too dry, it may be past its prime.
Additionally, if you notice moisture buildup within the cheese's wrapping or container, this can indicate spoilage. Moisture can promote the growth of unwanted mold or bacteria, so it's important to ensure proper ventilation when storing blue cheese.
It's also important to examine the surface of the cheese for any signs of unwanted mold growth. Fuzzy white, green, pink, or grey spots on the surface of blue cheese may indicate that it has gone bad. These colors differ from the blue-green veins of desirable mold in blue cheese.
American Cheese Slices: Healthy or Harmful?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Store it properly
Storing blue cheese properly is essential to prevent it from going bad. Blue cheese is a delicate product that requires ample oxygen and humidity to stay fresh. If wrapped in plastic, it should be removed as soon as you get home and replaced with parchment paper, then loosely wrapped in aluminium foil or beeswax wrap. This is because cheese needs to breathe, and plastic wrap cuts off the air supply, causing the cheese to spoil faster. If stored in plastic, the cheese will turn yellowish or produce yellowish mould, and it will start to smell putrid.
Blue cheese should be stored separately from other cheeses as its blue mould spores can travel through the air and contaminate them. If you are storing several types of cheese in the same drawer, make sure they are all wrapped appropriately, and never store other cheeses in a wrapper that was once used for blue cheese.
To keep your blue cheese for as long as possible, store it in the fridge. However, if you plan to enjoy it within the week, storing it on the counter in a product like the Cheese Grotto will keep it ready to eat at any moment, eliminating the need to take the cheese out an hour before eating. The Cheese Grotto is a high-humidity storage option that does not require you to wrap your cheese, allowing it to live in a gently aerated, humid climate that preserves its freshness.
Spotting Bad Mozzarella: Signs to Look Out For
You may want to see also
Check for unusual spots or fuzz
Blue cheese is created by adding Penicillium roqueforti, a species of mould, into the milk or curd used to make the cheese. This gives blue cheese its distinct sharp taste, streaks of colour, and creamy or crumbly texture. However, even with its funky characteristics, blue cheese can still spoil.
One of the ways to tell if blue cheese has gone bad is to check for unusual spots or fuzz. If you see fuzzy grey, black, green, pink, or yellow patches of mould, it's time to throw the cheese out. These moulds can create toxins that can make you ill. If you see white fuzz, this is not harmful, but it can change the flavour and texture of the cheese. You can cut off the affected area and eat the rest of the cheese. However, if only a portion of the cheese is fuzzy, it's best to discard the entire piece, as bacteria or mould may still be present.
To prevent mould from growing on your blue cheese, make sure it is wrapped and refrigerated. Blue cheese can last 3–4 weeks if stored properly. You can also freeze blue cheese, but its texture and flavour may change upon thawing.
Mizithra Cheese: How Long Does it Last?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
If it smells like ammonia, it's gone bad. Good blue cheese is moist and tangy, and while it does contain blue mold, if you spot mold that is black, grey, pink, yellow or green, it's likely a sign that the cheese has gone bad.
Blue cheese is spotted with pockets of blue-green mold and has a white, cream, or beige body.
Blue cheese will generally last three to four weeks if stored properly in the fridge.
Wrap the cheese in parchment, wax paper, or aluminium foil, and place it in an airtight container in the fridge.
