Bushra Griffith
Whether or not to refrigerate cheese after opening depends on several factors, including the type of cheese, how it was made, and its moisture content. Hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and gouda have lower moisture content, making them less perishable and less prone to bacterial growth. They can be left out for up to four hours and stored in the fridge for three to four weeks. Soft cheeses, such as mozzarella, cream cheese, and Brie, have higher moisture content, making them more perishable and prone to spoilage within two hours at room temperature. They should be consumed within one week of opening and stored in airtight containers or resealable bags in the fridge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should cheese be put in the fridge after opening? | Yes, cheese should be put in the fridge after opening to maintain freshness. |
| How long can cheese be left out of the fridge? | This depends on the type of cheese and other factors like moisture content, temperature, and whether it is fresh or aged. Hard cheeses can be left out longer than soft cheeses without spoiling, but soft cheeses should not be left out for more than two hours at room temperature. |
| How to store cheese in the fridge? | Cheese should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in wax, parchment, or cheese paper, then placed in a plastic bag or airtight container to prevent drying out. It should be kept in the fridge drawer for up to one month. |
| How to store cheese in the freezer? | Cheese can be frozen, especially harder cheeses, by wrapping tightly in two layers of plastic wrap or freezer paper, then placed in a freezer bag with air removed. |
| How long does cheese last in the fridge? | This depends on the type of cheese. Hard cheeses can last three to four weeks in the fridge after opening, while soft cheeses should be consumed within one week. |
| Signs of spoilage | Spoiled cheese may display an unpleasant smell, slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracked areas, or mold and should be disposed of. |
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What You'll Learn
Hard cheeses can be left out longer than soft cheeses
Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere, can be left out at room temperature for longer than soft cheeses. This is because hard cheeses have a lower moisture content, making them less susceptible to bacterial growth and spoilage. They can be left out for up to four hours and then rewrapped and placed back in the fridge. However, it is important to inspect hard cheeses for signs of spoilage, such as an unpleasant smell, slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mold.
On the other hand, soft cheeses, such as mozzarella, cream cheese, Brie, Camembert, and ricotta, have a higher moisture content, providing more opportunities for bacteria to grow. Therefore, they should be treated with more vigilance and should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. After this time, soft cheeses should be inspected closely for signs of spoilage, such as a slimy texture, a yellowed color, mold, sourness, or a scent of ammonia.
The taste and quality of cheese can also be affected by leaving it out at room temperature for too long, regardless of the type of cheese. For the best taste and quality, cheese should not be left out for longer than two hours at room temperature. However, hard cheeses can be left out for extended periods without posing a significant food safety risk, although their quality and taste may suffer.
To store cheese in the fridge, it is recommended to wrap it tightly in wax paper, parchment paper, or cheesecloth, and then place it in a plastic bag or airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Freezing is another option for cheese storage, especially for hard cheeses, which can be sealed in saran wrap and placed in a freezer ziplock bag with the air removed. However, freezing soft cheeses is not recommended as they can turn mealy and crumbly unless they are intended for baking.
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Soft cheeses should be consumed within a week of opening
Soft cheeses, such as mozzarella, ricotta, feta, and Camembert, have a higher moisture content, making them more perishable than hard cheeses. Therefore, they should be consumed within a week of opening and stored in the fridge.
Soft cheeses are more prone to bacterial growth and spoilage, so it is important to follow proper storage techniques to maintain their freshness and safety. To store soft cheeses, wrap them tightly in wax paper, parchment paper, or cheese paper. Then, add a layer of plastic wrap to prevent the cheese from absorbing other flavours from the fridge. Finally, place the wrapped cheese in a plastic bag or airtight container and store it in the fridge drawer, where the temperature and humidity are more consistent.
It is also essential to inspect soft cheeses for signs of spoilage before consumption, even if they are within the recommended one-week period. Spoiled soft cheeses may exhibit a slimy texture, a yellowed colour, mould, sourness, or an ammonia scent. If any of these signs are present, dispose of the cheese immediately.
Additionally, it is recommended to label the cheese with the type and purchase date. This helps to keep track of how long the cheese has been in the fridge and ensures that you are consuming it within the recommended timeframe.
By following these storage and consumption guidelines, you can ensure that your soft cheeses remain fresh, safe, and enjoyable within a week of opening.
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Hard cheeses will last 3-4 weeks after opening when stored properly
Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda, have a lower moisture content, which makes it difficult for bacteria to flourish. This means that hard cheeses can last a long time in the fridge. Once opened, hard cheese can last for about three to four weeks in the refrigerator. However, if you want to extend the shelf life of your hard cheese, freezing is a great option. Hard cheeses can last up to six months in the freezer, providing a convenient way to preserve your favourite cheese for a more extended period.
To prolong the life of hard cheese, follow the same storage steps as for unopened hard cheese. Firstly, remove the cheese from its original plastic packaging, as this can affect its quality and taste over time. Then, wrap it loosely in cheese paper or wax paper. Put it in an airtight container or a plastic zip bag with most of the air pressed out and store it in the coldest part of the fridge. It is also important to inspect hard cheeses for mould before eating them. If there is mould on the cheese, simply cut off at least one inch around and below the mouldy area and discard it. The rest of the cheese should be safe to eat.
Additionally, ensure that your refrigerator temperature is maintained below 40°F (4°C) to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage. If the cheese has been sitting out of the fridge, it can be rewrapped and put back in the fridge if it has been out for four hours or less. After four hours, look for signs of spoilage before consuming.
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Soft cheeses are more perishable due to higher moisture content
Soft cheeses are highly perishable due to their high moisture content. The higher the moisture content, the more perishable the cheese. Soft cheeses with high moisture content include ricotta, mozzarella, feta, Brie, Camembert, and some types of blue cheese. These cheeses are more susceptible to bacterial growth and spoilage, and should be consumed within one week of opening. They should be stored in the fridge and only left out for a maximum of two hours to maintain quality and taste. After two hours, soft cheeses should be inspected closely for signs of spoilage, such as a slimy texture, a yellowed colour, mould, sourness, or an ammonia scent.
In contrast, hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda have lower moisture content and can last longer at room temperature. They are less likely to promote bacterial growth and are less perishable. Hard cheeses can be left out for up to four hours and will last three to four weeks after opening when stored properly in the fridge.
To extend the shelf life of soft cheeses, proper storage techniques are essential. Soft cheeses should be wrapped tightly in wax paper, parchment paper, or cheese paper, and then covered loosely in plastic wrap to prevent the cheese from drying out while still allowing it to breathe. They should be stored in the drawers of the fridge, as this provides a more consistent temperature and humidity, helping to maintain the quality and taste of the cheese.
Additionally, it is important to note that the shelf life of cheese can be influenced by other factors such as how the cheese is made, its freshness, and the presence of other ingredients or treatments. For example, commercially packaged cheeses are vacuum-sealed or tightly ziplocked to inhibit mould growth. Freezing is not recommended for soft cheeses as they will turn mealy and crumbly, unless they are intended for baking, such as a pastry-wrapped wheel of Brie.
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Freezing soft cheeses is not recommended
While freezing cheese is a good way to reduce waste and prolong shelf life, it is not recommended for soft cheeses. Soft cheeses have a higher moisture content, which means more water will be converted to ice crystals during freezing. This can significantly damage the structure of the cheese, resulting in a drier, crumblier, and mealy texture that is difficult to slice.
Soft cheeses, such as mozzarella, cream cheese, and ricotta cheese, are not well-suited for freezing. Their high moisture content makes them more susceptible to structural damage during freezing and thawing, which can lead to an undesirable pool of liquid upon thawing. Instead of freezing, it is recommended to buy small quantities of soft cheeses and consume them while they are fresh.
The higher moisture content in soft cheeses also provides more opportunities for bacteria to grow, making them more perishable. They should be discarded after being left out at room temperature for two hours or less. This shorter shelf life means that freezing is less necessary for soft cheeses, as they are typically consumed before they reach their use-by date.
Freezing soft cheeses can also affect their flavor. Thawing fat at inconsistent temperatures can cause fluctuations in the consistency of the original fat content, leading to a slight reduction in flavor. This change in flavor may be more noticeable in soft cheeses, as they have a higher fat content that contributes to their creamy texture and taste.
While it is technically possible to freeze soft cheeses, it is generally not recommended due to the potential impact on texture, structure, and flavor. To maintain the best quality and taste, soft cheeses should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed fresh. However, if there is a need to extend the shelf life of soft cheeses, freezing can be considered, but it may result in a compromise in the overall quality of the product.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is generally recommended to store cheese in the fridge, especially soft cheeses like mozzarella, cream cheese, and Brie. However, some harder cheeses, like Cheddar, Parmesan, or Gouda, can be kept at room temperature for a few days, similar to how they are stored in most grocery stores.
According to the U.S. Department of Health, cheese should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90°F (32°C), this is reduced to one hour.
Cheese should be wrapped tightly in wax paper, parchment paper, or cheese paper, then placed in a plastic bag or airtight container to prevent it from drying out. It should be stored in the drawers of your fridge, as this provides a more consistent temperature and humidity.
Soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and fresh mozzarella should be consumed within one week of opening. Harder, aged cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda can last three to four weeks after opening when stored properly.
