Andy Montoya
Cheddar cheese is the most popular cheese in the UK and has a relatively long shelf life. Unopened, it can last for several months to even a year or more past its 'best by' date when stored in the fridge. However, knowing when cheddar cheese has gone bad can be tricky as each cheese ages and spoils differently. The three main attributes to look out for when determining if your cheddar cheese has gone bad are smell, appearance, and taste. If your cheese has an off or sour flavour, an unpleasant smell, or a slimy texture, it's likely spoiled and should not be consumed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | An "off" smell, like spoiled milk, ammonia, vinegar, or a refrigerator |
| Appearance | Mould, discolouration, or a “sweaty” package |
| Taste | Sour or unpleasant flavour |
| Texture | Slimy, mushy, or dry |
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar shelf life
Cheddar is a dense, solid cow's milk cheese with a low moisture content, which helps to extend its shelf life. The shelf life of cheddar cheese depends on whether it is opened or unopened, and how it is stored.
Unopened, cheddar cheese can last for several months to a year or more past its 'best by' date when stored in the fridge. Cheddar is considered a hard cheese, and hard cheeses tend to have a longer shelf life. The low moisture content of hard cheeses helps to extend their shelf life.
Once opened, the shelf life of cheddar decreases. If stored properly in the fridge, opened cheddar can last for several months past its 'best by' date. However, it is important to note that the 'best by' or 'sell by' dates on cheese are guidelines for quality, not safety. Cheddar cheese often remains safe to eat beyond these dates if it is stored correctly.
To determine if cheddar cheese has gone bad, it is important to look for signs of spoilage. This can include checking for mould, odd odours, a slimy texture, or a sour flavour. If the cheese has an off or sour flavour, it is likely spoiled and should not be consumed. It is also important to note that white specks or crystallised patches on aged hard cheeses like cheddar are normal and safe to eat. These spots are most likely not mould but calcium lactate crystals, which form when the lactic acid in cheese combines with calcium.
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Signs of spoilage
As a dense, solid cow's milk cheese, cheddar is known for its flaky texture and complex flavor profile that intensifies with age. However, it's important to know the signs of spoilage to ensure you're consuming safe and tasty cheddar cheese. Here are the key indicators that your cheddar cheese has gone bad:
Smell
One of the tell-tale signs of spoiled cheese is an unusual or "off" smell. Depending on the type of cheese, this could resemble the scent of spoiled milk, ammonia, or even that of a refrigerator or freezer. It's a good idea to smell your cheese when you first purchase it to establish a baseline for its unique scent, making it easier to detect any deviations. However, keep in mind that some cheeses can have a pungent aroma even when fresh, so don't rely solely on smell for softer cheeses.
Appearance
Inspect your cheddar cheese for any signs of unusual spots or mold growth. While some cheeses are known for their moldy appearance, such as Camembert and Gorgonzola, mold on cheddar cheese is generally considered a sign of spoilage. Additionally, be cautious if the packaging appears "sweaty" or displays signs of excessive condensation, as this could indicate that the cheese is no longer fresh.
Taste
Taste can be a definitive indicator of whether your cheddar cheese has gone bad. If you're unsure, take a small piece of cheese and taste it. A sour flavor, unpleasant aftertaste, or any “off” flavors are indications that the cheese has spoiled and should be discarded. Remember, when in doubt, it's always better to be safe and discard the cheese.
Texture
Cheddar cheese is known for its flaky texture, so any significant deviations from this may indicate spoilage. If your cheddar cheese becomes excessively dry, mushy, or develops a slimy texture, it's best to discard it. Additionally, if the cheese has formed clumps or exhibits signs of sticking together, this could be a result of spoilage or the presence of anti-clumping additives breaking down.
It's important to note that the shelf life of cheddar cheese can vary depending on factors such as storage conditions, age, and whether it's unopened or opened. Properly stored, unopened cheddar cheese can last for several months to a year or more past its "best by" date when refrigerated. However, once opened, it should be consumed within a reasonable timeframe and monitored for any signs of spoilage.
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Taste test
Taste is a good indicator of whether cheddar cheese has gone bad. If you are unsure about the quality of your cheese, you can take a small piece of it and taste it. Spoiled cheese will have a basic sour and unpleasant aftertaste. It may also taste overly bitter or acidic. If the cheese has a rotten taste, it has likely spoiled and should be discarded.
It is important to note that consuming spoiled cheese can lead to foodborne illnesses, with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Therefore, it is recommended to use multiple indicators to determine whether the cheese has gone bad, such as smell, appearance, and texture, in addition to taste.
The smell of cheddar cheese can provide clues about its quality. An "off" smell, such as that of spoiled milk, ammonia, or refrigerator odours, could indicate that the cheese is spoiled. However, some cheeses, like blue cheese, naturally have a strong ammonia smell, so it is important to be familiar with the typical smell of your favourite cheese to identify any deviations.
Visual indicators of spoilage in cheddar cheese include mould growth, discolouration, and a slimy or greasy texture. Spoiled cheese may also exhibit cracking due to changes in moisture content and the growth of unwanted bacteria.
In summary, while taste can be a helpful indicator, using multiple senses to evaluate the quality of cheddar cheese will provide a more comprehensive assessment.
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Appearance
Cheddar cheese is a hard cheese, and as it ages, it loses moisture, which can cause it to become brittle and prone to cracking. Therefore, if your cheddar cheese has developed cracks, it may be a sign that it has dried out and gone bad.
Another visual indicator of spoilage is a change in colour. Cheddar cheese that has gone bad may appear faded or darkened. If the exposed parts of the cheese appear much whiter than the rest, this could be due to oxidation, which causes the breakdown of beta-carotene, a compound responsible for the yellow colour in cheese.
Mould growth is also a common indicator of spoilage in cheese. While some moulds are harmless, others can be toxic and potentially dangerous if consumed. Unusual colours, textures, or odours accompanying the mould growth could indicate the presence of unsafe mould. If you notice any mould on your cheddar cheese, it is recommended to cut away the affected area and ensure that the knife does not come into contact with the rest of the cheese to avoid contamination.
In addition to mould, other appearance indicators of spoilage include sliminess, oiliness, and bloated packaging. If your cheddar cheese exhibits any of these signs, it is best to discard it.
It is worth noting that the appearance of cheddar cheese can also be affected by factors such as storage conditions and humidity levels. To maximise its shelf life, cheddar cheese should be stored in the refrigerator and not left out at room temperature for more than 1-2 hours. Proper storage can help maintain the appearance and quality of the cheese.
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Storage
Cheddar cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, ideally in a food storage container in the crisper drawer. Cheddar cheese should not be left out on the counter for longer than 1 or 2 hours at room temperature. It is recommended to track how many days the cheese has been in the refrigerator, as cheddar will last about 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge before it starts to get funky. If stored in a warmer refrigerator, the cheese may only last 3 weeks.
Cheddar cheese should be wrapped to prevent it from absorbing other smells and aromas from the refrigerator. It is recommended to wrap cheddar cheese in butcher paper and seal it in a food storage container. Foil can also be used to wrap cheddar cheese, as it protects the cheese and keeps it from drying out. Parchment paper can also be used, but it is recommended to first wrap the cheese in paper and then wrap it in plastic wrap or put it in a ziploc bag, as air can permeate parchment paper and cause the cheese to dry out. Wax, parchment, or cheese paper can be used to wrap blocks of cheddar cheese or other types that don't come in resealable packaging. It is important to note that cheese should not be wrapped directly in plastic wrap or Saran wrap, as the fats in the cheese can interact with the plastic and cause a stale, plastic-y flavour to develop.
If storing cheddar cheese in the freezer, it should be placed in a ziploc bag. Unopened, vacuum-sealed cheddar cheese can be stored as-is in the freezer, while opened cheddar cheese should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and again in foil to prevent freezer burn.
Cheddar cheese will eventually go bad, and it is important to know how to identify when it has gone bad. Signs that cheddar cheese has gone bad include mould stains on the surface, an off or sour odour, and an excessively sticky, somewhat mushy texture. If there is mould on the surface of the cheese, it may be safe to cut away the mouldy part and eat the rest of the cheese. However, it is important to be careful when removing the mould to avoid contaminating the rest of the cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three main attributes to look out for when determining if your cheese has gone bad: smell, appearance, and taste. If your cheese has an "off" smell, like spoiled milk, ammonia, or vinegar, it has likely gone bad. If there is mold on your cheese, it has probably spoiled, but some molds are safe to eat and normal in some cheeses. If you're unsure, it's best to throw the cheese out. Finally, if you're still not sure, try a small amount of the cheese. If it has a sour flavor, it's likely spoiled and should not be consumed.
Unopened, cheddar cheese can last for several months to even a year or more past its "best by" date when stored in the fridge. Once opened, it should be consumed within a few weeks.
Bad cheddar cheese may have mold on it, but mold does not always mean that the cheese is spoiled. Some molds are safe to eat and normal in some cheeses. If you're unsure, it's best to throw the cheese out.
