Bushra Griffith
Blue cheese is a beloved ingredient in many dishes, but its creamy texture and strong flavour can be lost if not stored correctly. Blue cheese is a semi-soft cheese, and while it has a longer shelf life than soft cheeses, it is still perishable. Blue cheese can be kept in the freezer to extend its shelf life, but this will alter its taste and texture. To answer the question of whether creamy blue cheese is still good after two years, one must consider the signs of spoilage, the type of blue cheese, and the storage conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Blue cheese shelf life | Unopened crumbled blue cheese can last up to half a year. Opened blue cheese should be finished within a week. Refrigerated blue cheese can last 1-2 months. Frozen blue cheese can last indefinitely but is best consumed within 6 months. |
| Signs of spoilage | Blue cheese going bad will develop a hard texture, darken in colour, develop a strong smell, and may have mould. If it smells like ammonia, it has gone bad. If the creamy part of the cheese turns pink, brown, green, or yellow, it has likely spoiled. |
| What to do with mould | Cut away at least 1 inch around and below the mouldy area. Do not touch the mould with the knife. Re-cover the cheese in fresh wrap. |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life
- Blue cheese will develop a hard texture, dark colour and strong smell when going bad
- Blue mould is safe to eat, but other moulds are not
- Blue cheese should be discarded if left out for more than two hours
- Blue cheese is safe to eat for 1-2 months after the best by date
Blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life
Blue cheese is a semi-soft cheese with a pungent taste and scent due to the edible blue mold cultures it contains. This mold is generally safe to eat and even helps reduce the cheese's acidity over time by producing ammonia. However, once the acidity lowers, other things can begin to grow on the cheese, causing it to spoil.
Freezing is a viable method to extend the shelf life of blue cheese. When stored in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, blue cheese can technically last indefinitely. However, for optimal taste and texture, it is recommended to consume it within six months of freezing. Freezing blue cheese can cause changes in texture, making it more crumbly and mealy. Additionally, the sharp flavor may diminish slightly.
Before freezing blue cheese, it is crucial to prepare it properly. Cut the cheese into uniform pieces, such as cubes or rectangles, with level surfaces. This practice helps reduce oxygen contact during freezing. Vacuum sealing is the preferred method for freezing cheese as it minimizes air contact, allowing for extended storage.
It is worth noting that softer cheeses, like blue cheese, are not ideal for freezing due to their higher moisture content. When frozen, the water and fat content can form ice crystals that damage the protein structure, affecting the texture and how the cheese melts. Therefore, while freezing can extend the shelf life of blue cheese, it may also alter its texture and performance in culinary applications.
To summarize, freezing blue cheese is a viable option to prolong its shelf life, especially if consumed within six months. However, the freezing process may impact the texture and flavor of the cheese. Proper preparation and storage methods, such as vacuum sealing, can help mitigate these negative effects. Ultimately, the decision to freeze blue cheese involves weighing the benefits of extended shelf life against potential changes in the cheese's sensory qualities.
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Blue cheese will develop a hard texture, dark colour and strong smell when going bad
Blue cheese is made with cultures of the mold Penicillium and is perfectly safe to eat. However, blue cheese can go bad like any other cheese, and knowing how to spot this is important for food safety.
Blue cheese will develop a hard texture, dark colour, and strong smell when going bad. The cheese will become overly dry and hard, and this is a textural cue that it has gone bad. The colour of the creamy part of the cheese will also change from white, beige, or yellow to pink, brown, or green. This discolouration is a sign of spoilage. Additionally, the smell of the cheese will become stronger and more ammonia-like. If the cheese smells weird, not like blue cheese, then it has likely gone bad.
To determine if blue cheese has gone bad, it is important to note the colour of the cheese when it is fresh, as this will make it easier to spot changes. The smell of fresh blue cheese should also be noted to detect any changes in scent. Other signs of spoilage include a slimy texture, the presence of fuzzy mold, and a sharp taste. It is recommended to dispose of refrigerated blue cheese after 3-4 weeks. Freezing blue cheese can prolong its shelf life, but it is best to consume it within six months for optimal taste and texture.
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Blue mould is safe to eat, but other moulds are not
Blue cheese is made with cultures of the mould Penicillium, and the blue mould is safe to eat. However, other moulds that appear on blue cheese are not safe to eat. If you see any patches of grey or black mould that look fuzzy, you should discard the cheese.
Blue cheese can last for several months if unopened and stored properly in the refrigerator. Once opened, it should be consumed within a week for the best results, and a few days more if you don't mind lower-quality cheese. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze blue cheese, which will last for about eight months in the freezer with good quality, and remain safe to eat beyond that. However, freezing may affect the texture and flavour, making it more suitable for cooked dishes.
To tell if blue cheese has gone bad, you can use your senses of sight, smell, and taste. Firstly, check the colour of the creamy part of the cheese, which should be white, beige, or yellow. If it has turned pink, brown, green, or blue, it has likely spoiled. You can also look for changes in texture, such as a slimy or fuzzy surface, or an overly dry or crumbly appearance. Additionally, blue cheese that has gone bad will develop a strong ammonia-like smell, although this can be challenging to distinguish due to the cheese's naturally pungent odour. Finally, you can taste a small amount of the cheese, but be cautious, as spoiled cheese may have harmful bacteria. If the cheese has become too strong or sour, discard it.
While blue mould is safe to eat, it can completely take over the cheese. The blue mould produces ammonia, which reduces the acidity of the cheese over time. This reduced acidity allows other things to grow on the cheese, causing it to spoil. Therefore, even though blue mould is safe, other moulds may develop if the cheese is left for too long, and these moulds are not safe to eat.
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Blue cheese should be discarded if left out for more than two hours
Blue cheese is a semi-soft cheese with a high moisture content. As such, it is more perishable than hard cheeses like Cheddar or Parmesan. According to the U.S. Department of Health, perishable foods should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. This guideline is especially important for soft cheeses, which are highly susceptible to bacterial growth and spoilage if left unrefrigerated.
Blue cheese that has been left out for more than two hours may not always pose a health risk, but it is likely to have a negative impact on its taste, flavour, quality, and texture. Therefore, it is generally recommended to discard blue cheese if it has been left out for longer than the recommended time.
To determine if blue cheese has spoiled, it is important to examine its physical characteristics. The creamy part of the cheese should typically be white, beige, or yellow. If it has turned pink, brown, green, or blue, it indicates spoilage. Additionally, the presence of fuzzy grey or black mould, a slimy or gritty texture, and an ammonia-like smell are all signs that the blue cheese has gone bad and should be discarded.
Proper storage practices are crucial to maintain the freshness of blue cheese. It should be wrapped properly in wax or parchment paper and placed in an airtight container or plastic bag to prevent it from drying out. The colder the storage temperature, the longer the blue cheese will stay fresh. For optimal taste and quality, blue cheese should be consumed within one to two weeks of opening the package.
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Blue cheese is safe to eat for 1-2 months after the best by date
Blue cheese is a semi-soft cheese with a pungent taste and scent due to the edible mold it contains. This mold is perfectly safe to eat and is what gives blue cheese its distinctive character. However, blue cheese can still go bad, and knowing how to spot this is important for food safety.
Blue cheese that is still good will have a strong, sharp taste. If the cheese has a biting taste, it may be a sign that it has spoiled. The creamy part of the cheese should be white, beige, or yellow. If it has turned pink, brown, green, or blue, it has likely gone bad. Good blue cheese should be moist, but if it becomes slimy, gritty, or fuzzy, it has spoiled.
Blue cheese should be refrigerated to keep it fresh. When stored in the refrigerator, blue cheese can last for three to four weeks. It will typically remain good for one to two weeks past the expiration date on the packaging, which means it will generally last for around three to four weeks in the fridge. If left unrefrigerated, blue cheese should be discarded after two days.
Blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life. When stored in the freezer at 0 degrees, blue cheese can last indefinitely. However, for the best taste and texture, it should not be kept frozen for more than six months. Freezing blue cheese can alter its taste and texture, causing it to lose some of its sharp flavor and crumble more easily upon thawing.
In summary, blue cheese is generally safe to eat for one to two months after the best-by date, as long as it is stored properly in the refrigerator. However, it is important to inspect the cheese for any signs of spoilage, such as changes in taste, color, or texture, before consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
No, creamy blue cheese is not safe to eat after two years. Even when refrigerated, blue cheese can only be safely consumed for up to several months.
There are several signs that your blue cheese has gone bad. Firstly, check the expiration date on the packaging. If the cheese is past its "best by" date, use your best judgement by assessing its appearance, odour, and taste. If the creamy part of the cheese has turned pink, brown, green, or yellow, it has likely spoiled. If there is mould on the cheese, it should be discarded unless it is the blue mould typical of blue cheese. Additionally, if the cheese has developed a slimy or fuzzy texture, or has an ammonia-like smell, it has likely gone bad.
Blue cheese that is properly stored in the refrigerator will typically last for about one to two months. Unopened blue cheese can have a shelf life of several months when refrigerated properly. Once opened, blue cheese crumbles should be consumed within about a week for best results.
Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer indefinitely, but it is recommended to consume it within six months for optimal taste and texture.
