Bushra Griffith
Blue cheese is a tricky cheese to store due to its high moisture content and active moulds. If you're storing blue cheese crumbles, it's best to keep them in their original packaging, tightly sealed, and consume or freeze them within 5-7 days of opening. If you're freezing them, transfer the crumbles to a heavy-duty freezer bag after two months to prevent freezer burn. To store blue cheese in a block or wedge form, it's best to wrap it in aluminium foil, parchment paper, or a loose zipper-lock bag, and store it in a very cold place to slow its ripening. Blue cheese likes to be stored in a high-humidity environment, but be aware that mould spores can travel through the air and contaminate other cheeses.
How to store blue cheese crumbles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Tightly sealed package |
| Refrigeration | Lasts 5-7 days |
| Freezing | Place in freezer before 5-7 days for refrigeration are up |
| Freezing duration | 8 months for best quality; indefinitely if kept at 0°F |
| Room temperature | Discard if left out for more than 2 hours |
| Wrapping | Avoid wrapping too tightly; use parchment paper, aluminium foil, or a loose zipper-lock bag |
| Mould | Avoid excess moisture, which indicates the cheese is past its prime |
| Colour | Yellow-green mould indicates cheese has been deprived of oxygen |
| Climate | Store in a high-humidity climate |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese crumbles should be stored in a tightly sealed package in the refrigerator
- Consume or freeze the crumbles within 5-7 days of opening the package
- Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer for up to 8 months
- Blue cheese should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature
- Blue cheese likes to be stored in a high-humidity climate
Blue cheese crumbles should be stored in a tightly sealed package in the refrigerator
Experts recommend wrapping blue cheese in aluminium foil, parchment paper, or a loose zipper-lock bag. Another option is to first wrap the cheese with parchment paper and then loosely cover it with aluminium foil, mimicking the two-ply construction of cheese paper. It is important to note that blue cheese should not be wrapped too tightly, as this can trap moisture and cause the growth of unwanted bacteria.
The refrigerator is the ideal storage location for blue cheese crumbles. Storing the cheese in a very cold place will slow its ripening and help maintain its quality. If you plan to consume the blue cheese crumbles within a week, you can store them in a container designed for cheese storage, such as a Cheese Grotto, which provides a high-humidity environment. The Cheese Grotto has a breathable back panel that allows fresh air to circulate gently around the cheese, preventing moisture from being trapped on the surface.
Additionally, it is important to be mindful of the shelf life of blue cheese crumbles. When stored in the refrigerator, an opened package of blue cheese crumbles will typically last for about 5 to 7 days. If you wish to extend the shelf life, you can freeze the crumbles, but this may affect the texture and flavour, making them more suitable for cooked dishes. To freeze, tightly seal the original packaging and place it in the freezer, ensuring it is consumed within 8 months for the best quality.
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Consume or freeze the crumbles within 5-7 days of opening the package
Blue cheese crumbles should be consumed or frozen within 5-7 days of opening the package. This is because blue cheese has a relatively high moisture level, which means it won't last as long as other types of cheese. If left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature, bacteria will start to grow, so it's important to keep it in the fridge.
If you want to consume the cheese within this time, make sure the package is tightly sealed. You can also transfer the cheese to a different container, such as a Grotto, which is designed to store cheese and regulate humidity. This will help to keep the cheese fresh and prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria.
If you don't think you'll finish the cheese within 5-7 days, you can freeze it. To do this, tightly seal the original packaging and place it in the freezer. If you plan on freezing the cheese for longer than 2 months, it's a good idea to use a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
When it comes to thawed blue cheese crumbles, they are best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles, as freezing may affect the texture and flavor of the cheese.
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Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer for up to 8 months
Blue cheese is a delicate product that can be tricky to store. Its relatively high moisture content means it won't last as long as other cheeses, and it is susceptible to oxidization. It is best stored in a high-humidity environment, and it should be wrapped loosely to avoid trapping moisture, which can cause unwanted bacteria to grow.
If you want to store blue cheese for as long as possible, the best option is to freeze it. Frozen blue cheese will maintain its best quality for about six months, but it can be stored safely in the freezer for up to eight months. It's worth noting that freezing blue cheese can affect its texture and flavour—frozen cheese often becomes crumbly, and its flavour can be slightly reduced. Therefore, frozen blue cheese is best suited for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, and casseroles.
To freeze blue cheese, it should be wrapped first. Experts recommend using aluminium foil, parchment paper, or a loose zipper-lock bag. One effective method is to wrap the cheese first in parchment paper and then with a loose covering of aluminium foil. This technique mimics the construction of cheese paper and allows the cheese to breathe. It's important to note that blue cheese should not be vacuum-sealed before freezing, as this can create undesirable flavours.
When you are ready to use your frozen blue cheese, you can defrost it in the fridge and then keep it there for three to four days before using it. If you defrost the cheese in the microwave or in cold water, it should be used immediately.
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Blue cheese should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature
Blue cheese is a tricky variety to store due to its delicate cheese paste and relatively high moisture levels. It is more susceptible to oxidising and losing its surface moisture, and its mould will die and turn yellow-green if deprived of oxygen. To keep blue cheese fresh for as long as possible, it should be stored in the fridge at a temperature of around 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C). The lower the temperature, the longer it will stay fresh, so the bottom shelf or drawers are ideal.
If you are keeping blue cheese in the fridge, it is best stored in a sealed container or wrapped in wax paper, foil, or parchment paper. It is important to give it some breathing room, as wrapping it too tightly can cause unwanted bacteria to grow. A Cheese Grotto can also be used to store blue cheese in the fridge or on the counter. This product self-regulates high humidity and has a breathable back panel, allowing fresh air to circulate gently around the cheese.
However, blue cheese should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. This is the guideline for all perishable foods, and exposure to air and warm temperatures can cause bacteria to grow more rapidly, affecting the cheese's safety and taste. If left out for longer than two hours, blue cheese should be discarded.
If you are unsure whether your blue cheese has spoiled, you can check the expiration date on the packaging and smell it. If it smells like ammonia, it has gone bad and should be thrown away.
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Blue cheese likes to be stored in a high-humidity climate
Blue cheese is a tricky cheese to store. Its delicate paste and blue veining make it more susceptible to oxidation and moisture loss. It likes to be stored in a high-humidity climate, and there are a few ways to achieve this. Firstly, blue cheese should be kept in a very cold place to slow its ripening. The refrigerator is ideal for long-term storage, and an opened package of blue cheese crumbles will last for about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
However, if you're planning to consume the cheese within a week, many enthusiasts opt for storing it on the counter. The Cheese Grotto, for example, is designed to be kept in the fridge or on the counter. The Grotto is a high-humidity storage solution with a breathable back panel, allowing fresh air to circulate gently around the cheese. It also includes a clay brick humidifier and is made of non-porous, dishwasher-safe material, which minimises the chance of blooming.
Another way to store blue cheese is to wrap it in parchment paper and then with a loose covering of aluminium foil. This mimics the two-ply construction of cheese paper and allows the cheese to breathe. It's important to note that blue cheese shouldn't be wrapped too tightly, as this can trap moisture and cause the growth of unwanted bacteria.
If you're storing blue cheese in the refrigerator, make sure it's kept away from other cheeses, as blue mold spores can travel through the air and contaminate them.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese crumbles will last for about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
To store blue cheese crumbles in the refrigerator, keep the package tightly sealed.
Yes, you can store blue cheese crumbles in the freezer. Tightly seal the original packaging and place it in the freezer. If freezing for longer than 2 months, place the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
Blue cheese crumbles will maintain their best quality for about 8 months in the freezer but will remain safe beyond that time.
If the blue cheese develops an off odor, flavor, appearance, or mold, it should be discarded.
