Andy Montoya
Blue cheese is a common type of cheese known for its strong smell and distinct flavour. It is made using Penicillium, a type of mold that is responsible for its unique taste, smell, and appearance. While blue cheese can last a long time when stored properly, it can still go bad. So, how can you tell if your blue cheese has gone bad? The easiest way is to use your senses and basic judgment. Does it look discoloured? Does it smell funky in a way that tickles your gag reflex, not your taste buds? If so, it's probably best to throw it out. Other signs of spoilage include fuzzy white, green, pink, grey, or black spots, and a strong ammonia-like smell. If you've eaten blue cheese that you suspect has gone bad and start to feel sick, it's recommended to consult a doctor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Blue cheese going bad | Blue cheese can go bad if not stored properly. It is best to store it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. |
| How to identify if blue cheese has gone bad | Blue cheese with a high moisture content will go bad more quickly than drier varieties. It can be identified by fuzzy white, green, pink, or grey spots, or yeast in the form of shiny pink or yellow spots. It may also have an ammonia-like smell. |
| Consumption of spoiled blue cheese | In most cases, eating a small amount of spoiled blue cheese will not make you sick. However, it can cause food poisoning, leading to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. |
| Freezing blue cheese | Freezing blue cheese can help extend its shelf life. Although it may slightly alter its texture and appearance, it remains safe indefinitely when frozen. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese can be safely consumed months after its expiration date
- Blue cheese is made using a type of mould called Penicillium
- Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer to extend its shelf life
- Blue cheese that has gone bad will have a strong ammonia smell
- Blue cheese that has a high moisture content will go bad more quickly
Blue cheese can be safely consumed months after its expiration date
Blue cheese is a type of cheese made using cultures of Penicillium, a type of mold. While the mold on other cheeses and foods is often a sign of spoilage, the Penicillium mold used to produce blue cheese is safe to consume and does not produce toxins.
Blue cheese is known for its strong smell and distinct flavor, which become stronger with age. The blue mold produces ammonia, which reduces the cheese's acidity over time. This means that other things can start to grow on the cheese, causing it to go off.
To determine if blue cheese has gone bad, it is important to use your senses and basic judgment. Check the expiration date on the packaging, smell the cheese, and examine its appearance. If the cheese has an overpowering ammonia-like smell or a strong odor that is not typical of blue cheese, it has likely gone bad. Additionally, look for any changes in color or signs of mold, such as fuzzy white, green, pink, grey, or black spots, which indicate spoilage. If the cheese has developed these characteristics, it should be discarded.
However, it is important to note that blue cheese can last for a long time if stored properly. Blue cheese should be tightly wrapped and refrigerated. When stored correctly, blue cheese can remain safe to consume for several weeks to months past the expiration date. Freezing blue cheese can also extend its shelf life, although it may alter its texture and appearance slightly.
Blue Cheese Edibility: A Curious Conundrum
You may want to see also
Blue cheese is made using a type of mould called Penicillium
During the cheesemaking process, Penicillium is added after the curds have been drained and rolled into wheels. This mould is what gives blue cheese its unique characteristics. While fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste, old cheese becomes even more biting as it ages and starts to spoil.
To determine if blue cheese has gone bad, it's important to check for certain signs. Firstly, examine the expiration date on the packaging. Blue cheese can last for a few weeks to a few months if stored properly in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped. However, if left unrefrigerated, it should be discarded after two days.
Secondly, use your senses to evaluate the cheese. If the creamy part of the cheese has discoloured to pink, brown, green, or blue, it's best to discard it. Additionally, if the cheese has developed a strong ammonia-like odour or smells funky in a way that's unpleasant, it's likely gone bad.
Lastly, inspect the cheese for any signs of unwanted mould or yeast growth. Fuzzy, slimy, or discoloured patches in grey, black, pink, yellow, or other colours indicate that the cheese is spoiled and should be discarded. While blue cheese is designed to have blue-green veins of mould, other types of mould or yeast can indicate spoilage and potential food poisoning risks.
Blue Cheese: Healthy or Unhealthy Indulgence?
You may want to see also
Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer to extend its shelf life
Blue cheese is a type of cheese with a strong smell and distinct flavour. It is made using Penicillium, a type of mould that is responsible for its unique taste, smell, and appearance. While blue cheese is designed to have some mould, it can still go bad if not stored properly.
Blue cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped, to maintain its freshness. When stored this way, it can last 3–4 weeks in the refrigerator. However, to extend its shelf life even further, blue cheese can be stored in the freezer. Freezing blue cheese may slightly alter its texture and appearance, but it remains safe to consume indefinitely when frozen.
It is important to note that blue cheese with a high moisture content will spoil more quickly than drier varieties. To determine if blue cheese has gone bad, you can use your senses to check for any discolouration, unusual odours, or fuzzy mould. If the cheese has developed a strong ammonia-like smell or has mould that is grey, fuzzy, black, pink, yellow, or green, it should be discarded.
By storing blue cheese properly in the freezer, you can effectively extend its shelf life and enjoy it over a more extended period.
Blue Cheese: A Tasty Treat or Mouse Poison?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Blue cheese that has gone bad will have a strong ammonia smell
Blue cheese is made using Penicillium, a type of mold that’s responsible for its unique taste, smell, and appearance. While blue cheese is designed to have some mold, it can still go bad. The easiest way to tell if blue cheese is safe to eat is to use your senses and basic judgment.
Other signs that your blue cheese has gone bad include discoloration, slime, or fuzzy mold. The creamy part of the cheese should be white or beige, not pink, brown, green, or blue. If you notice any of these changes in appearance, it is best to discard the cheese.
To prevent blue cheese from going bad, it is important to practice proper food safety and storage. Blue cheese should be stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. If stored properly, it can last 3–4 weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze blue cheese to extend its shelf life.
The Great Debate: Blue Cheese or Bleu Cheese?
You may want to see also
Blue cheese that has a high moisture content will go bad more quickly
Blue cheese is a type of cheese made using cultures of Penicillium, a type of mold. While blue cheese is designed to have some mold, it can still go bad. Blue cheese with a high moisture content will go bad more quickly than drier varieties.
Blue cheese is best kept in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped. If stored properly, blue cheese can last 3–4 weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze blue cheese to help extend its shelf life. Although freezing blue cheese may slightly alter its texture and appearance, it remains safe indefinitely when frozen.
To tell if blue cheese is bad, check the expiration date on the packaging. Then, smell it. If it smells like ammonia, the cheese is bad and you can throw it away. If you don’t want to smell it, look at the color of the creamy part of the cheese, which should be white or beige, not pink, brown, green, or blue.
Fuzzy white, green, pink, or grey spots growing on the surface of blue cheese may indicate that it has gone bad. Additionally, cheese that develops a strong odor similar to ammonia may be spoiled. Consuming spoiled blue cheese can cause food poisoning, which causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Blue Cheese and Fiber: A Healthy Match?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is supposed to be pungent, but if the smell is comparable to ammonia, it's a sign that it has gone bad. If the creamy part of the cheese is pink, brown, green, or blue, it's also a sign that it has gone bad. If there is mold that is gray, fuzzy, or black, or yeast that is shiny, pink, or yellow, it's time to throw the cheese out.
Blue cheese is made using Penicillium, a type of mold that is safe to consume. Unlike other types of mold, Penicillium does not produce toxins.
Blue cheese can last 3–4 weeks in the refrigerator if it is stored properly. It can also be frozen to extend its shelf life.
In most cases, eating a small amount of spoiled blue cheese will not make you sick. However, consuming spoiled blue cheese can cause food poisoning, which causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Blue cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped. To prevent it from being affected by other cheeses, you can store it in separate freezer bags.
