Kamil Perry
The shelf life of cheese varies depending on the type of cheese and how it is stored. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a longer shelf life than soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert. Properly stored hard cheeses can be safe to eat even past their expiration date if they show no signs of spoilage. Soft cheeses, on the other hand, have a shorter shelf life and are more perishable. It is important to inspect your cheese for signs of mould, odd colours, or unusual textures before consuming it, especially if it is past its best by date. The best by date is not an expiration date but an indication of the period during which the cheese is of the best quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| 'Best by' or 'sell by' dates | Are a guideline for quality, not safety |
| Safe to eat past 'best by' date? | Yes, if stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage |
| Factors determining safety | Type of cheese, storage, and individual health conditions |
| Storage temperature | Below 40°F (4°C) |
| Storage methods | Wax, parchment, or cheese paper to maintain moisture |
| Signs of spoilage | Mould, off colours, unusual textures, odd odours, slimy texture, sour flavour |
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What You'll Learn
Hard cheeses can be safe to eat after their expiration date
Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. This means that hard cheeses can be safe to eat even after their expiration date. According to the USDA, food past its expiration date is not necessarily headed straight to the landfill, and many items remain safe and fine to eat.
Hard cheeses, in particular, remain safe to eat because their low moisture content prevents bacteria from spreading quickly, keeping them fresher for longer. For example, Parmesan and pecorino have a shelf life of up to six months and can remain good for two months past their expiration date. Similarly, unopened hard cheeses like Cheddar can last for several months to a year or more past their 'best by' date when stored in the fridge.
However, it is important to note that if a hard cheese develops mold, tastes or smells off, or looks dried out or excessively moldy, it is probably time to discard it. While mold can be cut off from hard cheeses, and the rest of the block can be consumed, grated cheese with mold should be discarded entirely. Additionally, if a small bite of cheese causes your tongue, lips, or cheeks to tingle or burn, it is a sign of spoilage, and the cheese should be thrown away.
In summary, hard cheeses can often be safely consumed past their expiration date, but it is essential to use your judgment, considering the cheese's appearance, odor, and taste before deciding to eat it.
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Proper storage is key to cheese longevity
Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. They can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge. Blue cheeses like Stilton, Roquefort and Gorgonzola can have a similar shelf life when unopened and refrigerated properly. Semi-hard cheeses like Swiss cheese also have a relatively long shelf life, often several months past their 'best by' date.
Soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert have a shorter shelf life. Unopened, they typically last for a few weeks to a couple of months past their 'best by' date when refrigerated. Fresh cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta and cottage cheese are highly perishable and usually last only a few weeks.
To ensure the longevity of your cheese, it's important to store it properly. Once a package of cheese is opened, it may spoil more quickly. To prevent this, wrap the cheese using wax, parchment, or cheese paper after opening to help maintain its moisture. It's also important to store cheese at a safe fridge temperature — below 40°F (4°C).
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Soft cheeses have a shorter shelf life
The shelf life of cheese depends on the type of cheese and how it has been stored. Soft cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert, have a shorter shelf life than harder varieties. This is because they contain more moisture, making them more prone to spoilage from bacteria. Soft, unopened cheeses typically last for a few weeks to a couple of months past their 'best by' date when refrigerated. Fresh cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese are also highly perishable, lasting only a few weeks in the fridge.
Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. Unopened, they can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge. Blue cheeses like Stilton, Roquefort, and Gorgonzola can also have a similar shelf life when unopened and refrigerated properly. Semi-hard cheeses like Swiss cheese also have a relatively long shelf life, often lasting several months past their 'best by' date.
It's important to note that 'best by' or 'sell by' dates on cheese are guidelines for quality, not safety. Cheese often remains safe to eat beyond these dates if stored correctly. However, soft cheeses are more perishable, so it's essential to use your best judgment and consider the cheese's appearance, odour, and taste before consuming it. If you notice any signs of mould, unusual colours or textures, it's probably safer not to eat it, especially if you have a compromised immune system, are pregnant, elderly, or have certain health conditions.
To maximise the shelf life of cheese, it should be stored at a safe fridge temperature—below 40°F (4°C)—and wrapped using wax, parchment, or cheese paper after opening to maintain its moisture.
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Fresh cheeses are highly perishable
Hard cheeses, on the other hand, have a lower moisture content, making them less susceptible to bacterial growth. Examples of hard cheeses include Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda. Hard cheeses can sit out for longer than the standard two hours without becoming unsafe, but quality and taste may differ. It is not recommended to leave hard cheese unrefrigerated for longer than four hours.
Semi-hard cheeses like Swiss cheese also have a relatively long shelf life, lasting several months past their 'best by' date when kept in the refrigerator before opening. Blue cheeses like Stilton, Roquefort, and Gorgonzola can also have a shelf life of several months when unopened and refrigerated properly.
In summary, fresh cheeses are highly perishable due to their high moisture content and lack of ageing. They should be consumed within a few weeks to a couple of months past their 'best by' date when stored in the refrigerator. Hard and semi-hard cheeses have a longer shelf life due to their lower moisture content.
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Signs of spoilage: mould, odd odours, slimy texture, sour flavour
Cheese is a delicious and versatile food, but it can go bad if not stored correctly. Proper storage is essential to prevent cheese spoilage. Some cheeses, like those produced by The Laughing Cow, come in airtight packaging to protect the cheese from air, which can cause spoilage.
Signs of Spoilage: Mould
Mould growth on cheese can be both desirable and undesirable. Some cheeses, like Stilton or Brie, are intentionally inoculated with mould to achieve a specific flavour or texture. However, mould growth can also indicate spoilage.
Signs of Spoilage: Odd Odours
Spoiled cheese often emits an unpleasant, rancid, or putrid odour. This off-putting smell results from the release of free fatty acids and specific volatile compounds during the bacterial or microbial breakdown of cheese.
Signs of Spoilage: Slimy Texture
Spoiled cheese can develop a slimy or greasy texture. This textural change is often accompanied by an odd odour and is caused by bacterial contamination.
Signs of Spoilage: Sour Flavour
Spoiled cheese can taste excessively sour due to excessive fermentation caused by bacterial overgrowth. This sourness is a characteristic indicator of cheese spoilage.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not necessarily. The 'best by' or 'sell by' dates on cheese are a guideline for quality, not safety. Cheese often remains safe to eat beyond these dates if it's stored in the right way. However, it's important to inspect your cheese for signs of spoilage before consuming it.
Look out for signs of mould, off colours or unusual textures. If you notice specks of blue or green surface mould on hard cheese, it's generally safe to cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below those spots. However, if you are pregnant, have a compromised immune system, are elderly, or have certain health conditions, it's generally advisable to avoid consuming foods that show any signs of spoilage.
This depends on the type of cheese. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. Unopened, they can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge. Soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert have a shorter shelf life, typically lasting for a few weeks to a couple of months past their 'best by' date when refrigerated.
