Kamil Perry
Parmesan cheese is a hard, aged cheese that can last for several months beyond its expiration date. If stored properly, unopened Parmesan cheese can remain safe to use for up to 8 months after the sell-by or best-by date. Once opened, Parmesan cheese will typically stay safe for consumption for about 6 weeks. If mould appears on hard cheeses like Parmesan, it is generally safe to cut off the affected portion and consume the rest of the cheese. However, if there are noticeable changes in colour, texture, or smell, it is advisable to inspect the cheese closely to determine if it is still suitable for consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe to consume after the "sell by" or "best by" date | Yes, if stored properly |
| Safe to consume after opening | Yes, for about 6 weeks |
| Safe to consume if mouldy | Yes, if you cut off the mould and the area around it |
| Safe to consume if dried out | Yes, but it may have lost some flavour |
| Safe to consume if stored in the freezer | Yes, for 12-18 months. If stored at 0°F, it will keep safe indefinitely |
| Safe to consume if stored at room temperature | No, only for up to 2 hours |
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What You'll Learn
- Unopened Parmesan cheese can last for several months beyond its expiration date
- Opened Parmesan cheese will remain safe for about six weeks after opening
- Parmesan cheese that has been defrosted can be kept for three to four days
- If mouldy, cut off the affected portion and re-cover the cheese
- Parmesan cheese going bad will develop a hard texture, darken in colour, and smell bad
Unopened Parmesan cheese can last for several months beyond its expiration date
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a low moisture content, which helps extend its shelf life. Unopened Parmesan cheese can last for several months beyond its expiration date, as long as it has been stored properly. The length of time it lasts depends on the type of Parmesan cheese and the storage conditions. For example, canned Parmesan cheese is designed to be shelf-stable for longer than fresh or block cheese. Kraft's Parmesan grated cheese, for instance, is safe to consume beyond its expiration date, even without refrigeration.
On the other hand, hard Parmesan cheese blocks have a much longer shelf life when unopened and stored in the refrigerator. They can last for several months, and even up to a year, in the fridge. If you're unsure about how long your Parmesan has been unopened, look out for signs of spoilage, such as mould growth, off odours, or changes in texture. If the cheese has developed a hard texture, darkened in colour, or has a strong smell, it is likely spoiled.
Once a package of Parmesan is opened, its shelf life depends on factors such as how well it is sealed and stored. Opened hard cheeses like Parmesan can last for a few weeks to a couple of months in the refrigerator, provided they are stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in the coldest part of the fridge. If you notice mould on hard cheeses like Parmesan, it is generally safe to cut off the affected portion and consume the rest of the cheese.
To extend the shelf life of opened Parmesan cheese, it is recommended to store it in an airtight container or a resealable bag in the refrigerator, ensuring the temperature remains below 4°C. For grated or shredded Parmesan, a vacuum-sealed bag or a container with a tight lid is ideal. Proper storage helps prevent the cheese from drying out or absorbing odours from the refrigerator.
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Opened Parmesan cheese will remain safe for about six weeks after opening
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a lower moisture content, which helps extend its shelf life. An unopened chunk of Parmesan cheese will typically remain safe to use for about six weeks after opening, even if the "sell-by" or "best by" date on the package expires. This is because hard cheeses like Parmesan are more likely to be safe to eat past their expiration date if they are properly stored and show no signs of spoilage.
Proper storage is essential to keeping the flavour and texture of Parmesan cheese at peak levels. To prevent it from drying out or absorbing odours from the refrigerator, store Parmesan cheese in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in the coldest part of the fridge, at temperatures below 40°F (4°C). For grated or shredded Parmesan, consider using a vacuum-sealed bag or a container with a tight lid.
Parmesan cheese that is going bad will typically develop a very hard texture, will darken in colour, will develop a strong smell, and mould may appear. If there are any noticeable changes in colour, texture, or smell, it's advisable to inspect the cheese closely and determine if it is still suitable for consumption. If mould is present, it is generally safe to cut off the affected portion, and the rest of the cheese should still be usable.
It is important to note that white specks or crystallized patches on Parmesan cheese are normal and safe to eat. These spots are most likely not mould but calcium lactate crystals, which form when the lactic acid in cheese combines with calcium.
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Parmesan cheese that has been defrosted can be kept for three to four days
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a low moisture content, which means it has a longer shelf life than other cheeses. An unopened chunk of Parmesan cheese will remain safe to use for about six weeks to eight months past the "sell-by" or "best-by" date on the package. This is because hard cheeses, when unopened, can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge.
Once the package has been opened, its shelf life depends on how well it is sealed and stored. If you've grated or shredded the Parmesan, it may have a shorter shelf life compared to a block or wheel of Parmesan. To extend the shelf life, keep the opened Parmesan in an airtight container or resealable bag in the refrigerator.
If you choose to freeze your Parmesan cheese, it will maintain its best quality for about 12 to 18 months. However, Parmesan cheese that has been defrosted in the fridge can only be kept for an additional three to four days in the refrigerator before using. Parmesan that has been thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately. Frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, so it is best suited for cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.
It is important to note that Parmesan cheese that is going bad will typically develop a very hard texture, darken in colour, develop a strong smell, and mould may appear. If mould is present, it is generally safe to cut off the affected portion, and the rest of the cheese should still be usable.
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If mouldy, cut off the affected portion and re-cover the cheese
If you notice mould on your Parmesan cheese, it's important to first inspect it closely. Check for any noticeable changes in colour, texture, or smell. If the cheese has developed a very hard texture, darkened in colour, or has a strong smell, it is best to discard it. However, if the mould appears to be limited to a small portion of the cheese, it is generally safe to cut off the affected area. Make sure to cut at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the mouldy area, and avoid touching the mould with the knife.
After cutting away the mouldy portion, it is crucial to re-cover the cheese with fresh wrap to maintain its quality and prevent further spoilage. Proper storage is essential to extend the shelf life of Parmesan cheese. Store the cheese in an airtight container or a vacuum-sealed bag in the refrigerator, at temperatures below 40°F (4°C).
It is worth noting that hard cheeses like Parmesan have a lower moisture content, which naturally helps extend their shelf life. When unopened and stored properly, Parmesan cheese can last for several months beyond its expiration date. Once opened, it can typically remain safe to consume for about six weeks, even if the "sell-by" or "best-by" date has passed.
Additionally, if you wish to extend the shelf life of your Parmesan cheese even further, consider freezing it. Grate the cheese before freezing and store it in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen Parmesan cheese will maintain its best quality for about 12 to 18 months but will remain safe to consume beyond that timeframe.
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Parmesan cheese going bad will develop a hard texture, darken in colour, and smell bad
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a low moisture content, which means it has a longer shelf life than other cheeses. An unopened chunk of Parmesan cheese will typically remain safe to use for about six weeks to a couple of months, or even eight months, beyond the "sell-by" or "best-by" date on the package. This is because hard cheeses that haven't been opened can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge.
However, Parmesan cheese that is going bad will develop certain characteristics. Firstly, it will become very hard. This is because, as cheese ages, it loses moisture, which results in a harder texture. Secondly, the cheese will darken in colour. This discolouration is a sign of oxidation, where the cheese has been exposed to air and moisture over time. Thirdly, the cheese will develop a strong, unpleasant smell. This is an indication that the cheese is beginning to spoil and develop harmful bacteria.
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to inspect the cheese closely to determine if it is still suitable for consumption. While some sources suggest that it is generally safe to cut off mould and use the remaining cheese, others advise against taking any chances, as the cost of replacing the cheese is far lower than the cost of sickness. Therefore, if there are any noticeable changes in colour, texture, or smell, it may be advisable to discard the cheese altogether.
To extend the shelf life of Parmesan cheese, it is recommended to store it in an airtight container or a vacuum-sealed bag in the refrigerator. Proper sealing and storage can help prevent the cheese from drying out, developing mould, or absorbing odours from the refrigerator. Additionally, Parmesan cheese can be frozen and will remain safe indefinitely at a constant temperature of 0°F. However, frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, so it is best suited for cooked dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Parmesan cheese that is unopened and stored properly can last for several months beyond its expiration date.
An opened package of Parmesan cheese will typically remain safe to use for about six weeks after opening, even if the sell-by or best by date on the package expires.
Parmesan cheese that has gone bad will typically develop a very hard texture, darken in colour, develop a strong smell and mould may appear.
If you notice mould on the surface of hard cheeses like Parmesan, it is generally safe to cut off the affected portion, and the rest of the cheese should still be usable. However, if mould appears in a package of shredded, sliced or crumbled Parmesan cheese, the entire package should be discarded.
