Kamil Perry
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient, used in everything from salads to burgers. However, like all dairy products, it can go bad. The signs of spoilage can be hard to spot, especially with fresh goat cheese, which has a naturally distinctive funk. To know if your goat cheese spread is bad, you can check for a few telltale signs. Firstly, check the best-by date. You can also use your senses: if the cheese has an unpleasant smell, a fuzzy surface, or a yellow tint, it has probably gone bad. Another sign is bacterial film, which looks like a thin layer of mucus on the cheese. If you see this, discard the cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best-by date | Always check the best-by date as a starting point |
| Color | Goat cheese should be snowy white; noticeable yellowing indicates it is past its prime |
| Texture | Goat cheese should be firm; if the edges have dried out, it is still safe to eat |
| Smell | Goat cheese has a signature funk with a mild, musky, goaty smell; if it smells sharp, unpleasant, or pungent, it has gone bad |
| Taste | Goat cheese has a distinct, tangy flavor with acidic undertones and whispers of sweetness; if it tastes bland, sour, or pungent, it has gone bad |
| Mold | Blue cheese is the only type that should have blue or green mold; if other types of goat cheese have mold, discard them |
| Bacterial film | If there is a thin layer of clammy, slimy fluid on the surface of the cheese, discard it |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese's shelf life
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes, from pizza toppings to salad crowns to burger fixings. However, like all dairy products, it has a limited shelf life and can spoil if not stored properly. Here is everything you need to know about the shelf life of goat cheese.
Goat cheese is a perishable product, and its shelf life depends on various factors, including the production method, storage conditions, and original packaging. Fresh goat cheese, the soft and spreadable kind commonly used in recipes, typically lasts up to a week when stored properly in the refrigerator. However, if it is packaged in oil or vacuum-sealed, its shelf life can be extended beyond a week.
Signs of Spoilage in Goat Cheese
To determine if your goat cheese has spoiled, you need to rely on your senses:
- Sight: Fresh goat cheese should have a snowy white colour due to the unique way goats process beta carotene. If the cheese has noticeably yellowed or acquired an off-white tint, it is past its prime. Additionally, look out for any signs of mould or bacterial film, which appears as a thin layer of clammy, slimy fluid on the surface of the cheese or in the packaging. Any mould on soft goat cheese is generally considered a sign of spoilage, except for blue cheese, which uses specific types of mould.
- Smell: Goat cheese has a distinctive "goaty" aroma even when fresh. However, when it spoils due to mould or bacterial activity, this mild funk will change noticeably, becoming sharp and unpleasant.
- Taste: Goat cheese has a distinct flavour characterised by tanginess, acidic undertones, and delicate sweetness. If it tastes bland or faded, it has likely spoiled.
Storage Tips for Goat Cheese
To maximise the shelf life of goat cheese, proper storage is essential:
- Store the cheese in a refrigerator set to a temperature of 40°F or lower.
- Transfer the cheese from transparent packaging to a solid-coloured airtight container to minimise exposure to light, as light oxidation can hasten spoilage.
- Store the cheese in a dark place, as light can interact with the fat in the cheese and give it a stale flavour.
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How to store goat cheese
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes, from pizza toppings to salad crowns to burger toppings. However, like any dairy product, it is perishable and has a short shelf life compared to other cheeses. Here are some tips to ensure your goat cheese stays fresh for as long as possible:
Choosing Goat Cheese:
When purchasing goat cheese, it is recommended to opt for local brands as it reduces the distance the cheese has to travel and ensures a more sustainable and fresher product. Confirm that the producer uses all-natural, fresh milk as this is key to great-tasting cheese. Fresh goat cheese should be white in colour and have a tangy smell and firm texture. Avoid goat cheeses with off colours like yellows, pinks, or a mushy texture.
Storing Fresh Goat Cheese:
Fresh goat cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, ideally at a temperature of 40°F or lower. It is best stored in a solid-coloured, airtight container to minimise exposure to light, which can cause spoilage. If you have purchased it in a transparent container, transfer it to an opaque container. Fresh goat cheese should be consumed within a week of opening, but it can be stored unopened in the fridge for about two months if vacuum-sealed.
Storing Aged Goat Cheese:
Aged goat cheese, which is ripened over a longer period and has a firmer texture, can be stored by wrapping it in wax or parchment paper and then placing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Aged goat cheese should be allowed to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes before serving, to ensure maximum flavour.
Freezing Goat Cheese:
If you want to extend the shelf life of your goat cheese, you can freeze it. Cut the log into rounds, separate each round with a piece of patty paper, and stack them in a deli container or ziplock bag. Flatten the bag to remove air and freeze. You can then break off chunks as needed, defrosting them in the fridge or microwave.
Signs of Spoilage:
Goat cheese can go bad quickly, so it is important to check for signs of spoilage before consuming it. Rely on your senses of smell and sight to determine if your goat cheese has expired. An unpleasant or sharp pungent smell, a fuzzy surface, or a noticeable change in colour to yellow or off-white are all signs that your goat cheese has gone bad. Additionally, the presence of bacterial film, a thin layer of clammy, slimy fluid on the surface, indicates that the cheese should be discarded.
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Goat cheese's smell and texture
Goat cheese is known for its distinctive "funk", even when fresh. This characteristically "goaty" smell is mild and musky, with a faint animal whiff, like the smell on your hands after petting a dog. When the cheese has gone off due to mould or bacteria, this pleasantly mild funk will change noticeably, becoming sharp and pungent. If you detect any unpleasant smells, it's best to discard the cheese.
The texture of fresh goat cheese is firm and spreadable, with a snowy white colour. Goat milk naturally has a pure white hue because goats process beta carotene differently from cows, leaving it colourless. If your goat cheese has yellowed noticeably or acquired an off-white tint, it has likely expired.
In terms of texture, soft goat cheese can dry out over time, and mould can also affect its texture. While some moulds are beneficial and give rise to famous cheeses like Brie and Camembert, mould on soft goat cheese usually indicates spoilage. Blue mould, in particular, indicates that the cheese is bad and will be accompanied by a super sour and pungent taste. A bacterial film on the surface of the cheese, resembling a thin mucus, is another sign that your goat cheese has gone bad and should be discarded.
It's important to note that goat cheese has a short shelf life, typically staying fresh for about seven days or less. Proper storage is crucial to preserving its freshness. Goat cheese should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, set to a temperature of 40°F or lower, to maximise its freshness.
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Goat cheese's colour
Goat cheese is typically white in colour, a result of goat biology. Grassy plants contain beta carotene, which gives cow's milk its yellow tone. However, goats process beta carotene differently, leaving it colourless, resulting in the white hue of milk and fresh goat cheese.
The colour of goat cheese can be an indicator of spoilage. If fresh goat cheese has noticeably yellowed and acquired an off-white tint similar to Swiss cheese or Havarti, it has likely gone bad. This discolouration is caused by the oxidation of fats in the cheese due to exposure to light, which can also affect its taste.
While goat cheese naturally has a distinctive "goaty" smell, a sharp, unpleasant pungency may indicate spoilage. Mould or bacterial activity can cause this change in aroma. A thin layer of bacterial film resembling mucus may also form on the surface of the cheese, indicating spoilage and requiring disposal.
Visible mould on goat cheese is another sign of spoilage. Blue, green, or pink mould indicates that the cheese should be discarded, as these moulds can permeate the interior. However, some people may choose to consume mouldy cheese, especially harder varieties, by scraping off the mouldy parts.
In summary, the colour of goat cheese is naturally white due to goat biology. Discolouration towards yellow or off-white hues indicates spoilage. Additionally, changes in smell, the presence of bacterial film, and visible mould can also signify that goat cheese has gone bad.
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Goat cheese's taste
Goat cheese is known for its distinctive "funk", which can make it difficult to discern whether it has gone bad or not. Fresh goat cheese should have a mild, musky, and faintly animal-like smell, with a milky aroma. If the cheese has gone off, this smell will change noticeably, becoming sharp and pungent.
Goat cheese is also characterised by its marked tanginess, with acidic undertones and whispers of sweetness. If the cheese has gone bad, it may lose its flavour and taste bland or faded. This can be caused by exposure to light, which interacts with the fat in the cheese, giving it a stale, cardboard-like flavour.
The texture of the cheese can also indicate whether it has gone bad. Fresh goat cheese should be soft and spreadable, with a snowy white colour. If the cheese has dried out and become hard, or if it has developed a yellow or off-white tint, it is likely past its prime.
In terms of food safety, the presence of mould or bacterial film is a sure sign that the cheese has spoiled. Blue, green, or pink mould on goat cheese is not safe to eat, and interior mould is a particular cause for concern. However, some people may choose to scrape off surface mould and consume the cheese anyway, especially in the case of harder cheeses.
Proper storage is key to preserving the freshness of goat cheese. It should be stored in an airtight, solid-coloured container in the refrigerator, at a temperature of 40°F or lower. With proper storage, goat cheese can last up to a week, although it may still be safe to consume beyond this point, especially if it is vacuum-sealed or cooked.
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Frequently asked questions
Fresh goat cheese is white in colour, so if your goat cheese has yellowed noticeably, it has likely gone bad. Goat cheese should also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and kept away from bright lights, to prevent it from spoiling. If your goat cheese has a fuzzy surface or a slimy, mucus-like coating, it has gone bad.
Goat cheese has a naturally challenging aroma, but when it has gone bad, it will have a sharp, unpleasant pungency. If the cheese has a funky, sour smell, it has likely gone bad.
If your goat cheese tastes bland or stale, it has likely gone bad. If it has a strong taste, it may have been exposed to too much light.
