Randy Chandler
Goat cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient, but it can be tricky to know when it has gone bad. With its distinctive funk, even at its freshest, it can be hard to tell when it has soured. So, how do you know when to toss it out? Well, there are a few telltale signs to look out for. Firstly, goat cheese should be enjoyed within a week, so always check the date. Secondly, goat cheese is usually snowy white, and if it has yellowed noticeably, it's past its prime. Thirdly, trust your senses: if it smells, looks, or tastes off, it probably is. A change in texture, like a fuzzy surface, is also a sign of spoilage. Finally, light and air interact with goat cheese and can cause it to spoil, so store it in an airtight, solid-coloured container in the fridge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Goat cheese has a distinctive "goaty" smell that is mildly musky and faintly animal-like. If it smells sharp, unpleasant, or sour, it has likely gone bad. |
| Taste | Goat cheese has a tangy, acidic, and slightly sweet flavor. If it tastes bland, faded, or sour, it may be spoiled. |
| Appearance | Fresh goat cheese is snowy white due to goat biology. If it has yellowed or turned off-white, it has likely gone bad. |
| Texture | Goat cheese should be firm, not mushy. If it has developed blue mold, it is spoiled. |
| Expiry | Goat cheese is best enjoyed within seven days of opening. |
| Storage | Store in a solid-colored, airtight container in the refrigerator. Minimize exposure to light, as it can cause spoilage. |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge
Goat cheese is a delicate product that requires careful storage to maintain its freshness and flavour. Proper storage is essential to prevent spoilage and ensure food safety. One of the key recommendations for storing goat cheese is to use an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.
Goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a perishable dairy product with a relatively short shelf life. It is crafted from goat's milk, which has distinct characteristics due to the unique biology of goats. Goats process beta carotene differently from other animals, resulting in milk and fresh cheeses that are naturally pure white and free from the yellow tones commonly found in cow's milk. This white hue is highly valued in the culinary world, as it creates a stunning visual contrast with deep-coloured vegetables, making goat cheese a popular choice for salads and other dishes.
Storing goat cheese in an airtight container in the fridge helps maintain optimal humidity levels and provides the necessary breathability. Goat cheese, like all cheese, requires some humidity and room to breathe. By using an airtight container, you create a controlled environment that slows down the spoilage process and extends the cheese's freshness. This is especially important for soft, fresh goat cheese, which has a higher moisture content and is more susceptible to bacterial growth and mould.
Additionally, it is advisable to minimise the exposure of goat cheese to light. Light oxidation can accelerate cheese expiry, causing the cheese to spoil prematurely. If you purchase goat cheese packaged in a transparent container, consider transferring it to an opaque or solid-coloured airtight container. This simple step will help prevent light-induced spoilage and preserve the quality of your goat cheese.
Proper storage in an airtight container in the fridge can help maintain the distinctive flavour and texture of goat cheese. Goat cheese is known for its signature "funk," a mildly musky and goaty aroma that should be pleasant and not sharp or pungent. By storing it correctly, you can prolong this unique characteristic and prevent the development of unpleasant odours and flavours associated with spoilage.
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If it smells bad, it's probably gone off
Goat cheese is known for its signature funk, a naturally challenging aroma even when it's fresh. However, this distinctive smell can make it difficult to identify when the cheese has gone bad.
When goat cheese has gone off, its pleasantly mild funk will change noticeably due to mold or bacterial activity. The aroma will take on a sharp, unpleasant pungency. If you sniff a goat cheese that's fresh, there should be nothing unpleasant about its smell. The aroma should be fresh and milky, and the characteristically "goaty" smell should be mild and musky. It should be a faint animal whiff, like the smell on your hands after petting a dog.
If your goat cheese has developed a sharp, unpleasant smell, it's likely gone bad. Trust your senses—if it smells bad, it's probably off. While some molds on cheese can be scraped off, consuming spoiled food can cause digestive issues.
Other signs that your goat cheese has gone bad include a noticeable yellowing or off-white tint, a lack of flavor, and a fuzzy surface. Goat cheese should be consumed within seven days of opening, and proper storage in a sold-colored airtight container can help prevent spoilage.
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Goat cheese should be white. If it's yellow, it's likely bad
Goat cheese is known for its distinct, tangy flavor with acidic undertones and whispers of sweetness. Its signature "funk" is due to the fat molecules in goat milk, which are smaller and finer than those in cow or sheep milk. This gives goat cheese a naturally homogenized and digestible quality, with less lactose than cow's milk.
While goat cheese is usually characterized by its white color, this is not indicative of its quality. Goat cheese can range in color from white to yellow, depending on the diet of the goat. Grassy plants, for example, contain beta carotene, which goats process differently from cows, resulting in a yellow tone in their milk and cheese. However, if you notice a sudden change in the color of your goat cheese from white to yellow, or if it acquires an off-white tint similar to Swiss cheese or Havarti, it is likely past its prime.
To ensure the freshness of your goat cheese, it is important to follow proper storage practices. Goat cheese, like any other cheese, requires humidity and some room to breathe. Avoid storing it in transparent containers or plastic wrap, as light and air exposure can hasten its expiry. Instead, opt for solid-colored airtight containers or vacuum-sealed packaging, which can extend the cheese's lifespan by creating a layer of breathability.
In addition to visual cues, your sense of smell can also help determine if your goat cheese has gone bad. A fresh goat cheese should have a mild and musky aroma without any sharp, unpleasant pungency. When goat cheese spoils due to mold or bacterial activity, its naturally mild funk will change noticeably, becoming more intense and sour. Trust your senses and if something smells or tastes off, it's best to discard the cheese.
Lastly, always check the best-before dates on your goat cheese and try to consume it within a week of opening. By following these guidelines, you can better assess the freshness of your goat cheese and minimize the risk of consuming spoiled products.
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If it tastes sour or overly goaty, throw it out
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient used in various dishes, from salads to appetizers. However, it can be challenging to determine whether it has gone bad, especially with fresh goat cheese, which has a naturally distinctive "funk" that sets it apart from other cheeses.
Goat cheese is known for its unique flavor profile, characterized by a marked tanginess with acidic undertones and whispers of sweetness. This distinctiveness makes it easier to detect when something is amiss. If your goat cheese tastes sour or has an overly goaty flavor, it has likely exceeded its lifespan and should be discarded.
The sour taste in goat cheese, or any dairy product for that matter, is often a result of bacterial activity. These bacteria can cause digestive issues, so it is essential to avoid consuming expired goat cheese to prevent any health risks. While some people might be tempted to scrape off the mold and consume the cheese, it is generally not recommended, especially with soft cheeses like fresh goat cheese.
To extend the lifespan of your goat cheese, proper storage is crucial. Unlike harder cheeses, soft cheeses like goat cheese are more delicate and susceptible to spoilage. Goat cheese should be stored in an airtight, solid-colored container to minimize exposure to light and slow down the process of light oxidation, which hastens cheese expiry. Additionally, ensure you consume the cheese within seven days of opening, as recommended by experts.
In conclusion, if your goat cheese tastes sour or has an overly pungent goaty flavor, it is best to discard it. Trust your senses and remember that the distinctive taste of goat cheese should be pleasantly mild and musky, not sharp or pungent. By following proper storage practices and regularly checking the quality of your cheese, you can ensure you're enjoying goat cheese at its best.
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If it's soft goat cheese with blue mould, it's not okay to eat
Goat cheese is known for its signature funk, which can make it difficult to determine if it has spoiled. However, if you notice any unpleasant smells, sharp pungency, or a sour taste, it is best to discard the cheese.
When it comes to soft goat cheese with blue mould, it is generally not advisable to consume it. Blue mould on soft cheese indicates bacterial activity, resulting in a noticeable change in the cheese's mild funk. This can also be identified by an unpleasant, sharp, and pungent smell. While some people may choose to scrape off the mould and consume the remaining cheese, it is essential to prioritise your health and avoid consuming mouldy soft cheese.
The distinct white hue of fresh goat cheese is a result of goat biology. Goats process beta carotene differently, leaving it colourless, which is why their milk and fresh cheeses have a pure white colour. If your fresh goat cheese has noticeably yellowed or acquired an off-white tint, it has likely spoiled.
Additionally, light oxidation can accelerate the spoilage of goat cheese. It is recommended to store goat cheese in a solid-coloured, airtight container to minimise exposure to bright lights and prevent premature expiry.
Remember, goat cheese is meant to be enjoyed fresh, so always check for signs of spoilage and follow best storage practices to ensure a pleasant and safe culinary experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese typically has a distinctive "goaty" smell, which is mild and musky without being pungent. If your goat cheese has a sharp, unpleasant smell, it has likely gone off due to mold or bacteria. Goat cheese should also be pure white, so if it has yellowed or turned an off-white color, it has likely gone bad.
Goat cheese should be consumed within a week of opening. If it is vacuum-sealed, it can last at least two months unopened.
Like any dairy product, consuming expired goat cheese may cause digestive issues. If the cheese has mold on it, it is best to discard it. However, some people choose to cut off the moldy part and consume the rest of the cheese.
