Randy Chandler
Knowing when cheese has gone bad can be tricky. Each cheese ages and spoils differently, and sometimes there are no obvious signs of spoilage. However, consuming spoiled cheese can lead to foodborne illnesses, so it's important to know what to look out for. The three main attributes to consider when determining if cheese has gone bad are smell, appearance, and taste. Bad cheese can taste overly bitter, acidic, sour, or musty. It may also have an unpleasant aftertaste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Bitter, acidic, sour, soapy, unpleasant aftertaste |
| Texture | Slimy, gritty, grainy, cracked |
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What You'll Learn
Bad cheese tastes bitter, acidic, or sour
Bad cheese can be identified by its smell, appearance, and taste. The taste is the indicator that gives it away as bad cheese. Spoiled cheese can taste bitter, acidic, or sour. It can also have an unpleasant aftertaste.
The spoilage of cheese can be caused by harmful bacteria, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. Food poisoning caused by spoiled cheese can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, chills, and other unpleasant symptoms.
It is important to note that not all mouldy cheese is unsafe to eat. Some types of cheese, like blue cheese, are characterised by their mould content. However, spoiled cheeses can be affected by harmful mould, such as black mould, which may trigger allergic reactions in certain individuals.
The appearance of mould, discolouration, and a slimy or greasy texture are signs of spoilage. Additionally, changes in texture, such as hardening or cracking in hard cheeses like Cheddar, can indicate that the cheese has gone bad.
To prevent cheese from spoiling, proper storage is essential. Cheese should be stored in a dedicated drawer in the refrigerator, such as the deli drawer, to maintain the right temperature and humidity. Aged cheeses should be wrapped in cheese paper or wax paper instead of plastic wrap.
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Feta cheese tastes soapy when it's gone bad
Bad cheese can have an unpleasant taste, ranging from sour to soapy. Feta cheese, in particular, can develop a soapy taste when it goes bad, as it is a softer, wetter cheese that is more susceptible to spoilage.
Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in salads and other dishes, but it's important to be cautious when consuming it if it has been opened for a while. While mould may be the first sign of spoilage that comes to mind, taste can also be a telling indicator. If your feta cheese tastes even slightly soapy, it's best to discard it.
The soapy taste in feta cheese is likely due to the breakdown of fatty acids and the growth of bacteria. This can happen if the cheese is not stored properly, or if it has exceeded its shelf life. It's important to note that while mouldy cheese is generally safe to consume after cutting off the mouldy portions, this does not apply to softer cheeses like feta.
To prevent feta cheese from spoiling prematurely, it's recommended to consume it within a few weeks of opening and to store it properly in the refrigerator. Additionally, it's important to practise good hygiene when handling cheese to avoid cross-contamination.
In summary, if your feta cheese tastes soapy, it has likely gone bad. Trust your taste buds and discard the cheese to avoid any unpleasant culinary experiences. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to consuming potentially spoiled food.
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Spoiled cheese can cause food poisoning
It can be tricky to know when cheese has gone bad, as different types of cheese age and spoil differently. The three main indicators that cheese has gone bad are smell, appearance, and taste. If the cheese has an off-putting odour, unusual texture, or is covered in mould, it is best to discard it.
It is important to note that not all mouldy cheeses are unsafe to eat. Some cheeses, like blue cheese, are meant to have mould. In these cases, it is safe to cut off the mouldy parts and consume the rest of the cheese. However, if the cheese smells or tastes unpleasant, it is best to discard it, as taste is a good indicator that cheese has gone bad.
To prevent food poisoning, it is important to practice good food safety habits, including proper handwashing and storing cheese at the appropriate temperature. Additionally, it is recommended to consume cheese by the date on the label or within a few days of purchasing it to reduce the risk of spoilage and contamination.
In summary, spoiled cheese can cause food poisoning, and it is important to examine it for signs of spoilage before consumption. By practising good food safety habits and properly storing cheese, the risk of foodborne illnesses can be minimised.
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A gritty or grainy texture is a sign of spoilage
While there are several ways to tell if a cheese has gone bad, one of the most important indicators is its texture. A gritty or grainy texture is a sign of spoilage. This type of spoilage is particularly common in soft washed-rind cheeses like Epoisses and Stinking Bishop. The bacteria on the surface of these cheeses cause deacidification, which leads to the formation of crystals and a gritty rind. While a gritty rind does not necessarily indicate spoilage, if it is excessively gritty and slimy, it is best to discard the cheese.
It's important to note that different types of cheese will spoil differently. Fresh soft cheeses like cottage cheese, for example, tend to go bad more quickly because they are susceptible to a variety of bacteria. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, on the other hand, can last up to a month in the fridge after opening. However, they can start to crack when they spoil due to changes in moisture content and bacterial growth.
In addition to texture, other indicators of spoilage include changes in colour, smell, and taste. A significant colour change, such as browning or discolouration, can indicate that the cheese has spoiled, although it may still be safe to eat. The smell of spoiled cheese is often described as rancid, sour, or putrid, and the taste can be bitter, acidic, or unpleasantly sour.
To avoid spoilage, proper storage is key. Cheese requires specific conditions, such as the right temperature and humidity, to stay fresh. Unopened cheeses can be stored almost anywhere in the refrigerator, while opened cheeses should be stored in a dedicated drawer or wrapped in cheese paper or wax paper. By paying attention to these indicators of spoilage and practising proper storage, you can ensure that you're only consuming safe and delicious cheese.
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Oxidation causes a colour change in cheese
Knowing when cheese has gone bad can be tricky as each cheese ages and spoils differently. There are three main attributes to look out for: smell, appearance, and taste. Oxidation is one of the most common ways cheese can spoil and it can cause a noticeable colour change.
Oxidation in cheese refers to the chemical reaction of fat molecules with oxygen, catalysed by light. This process is also known as light oxidation, lipid oxidation, lipid peroxidation, or photo oxidation. The fat in cheese occurs in structures called triglycerides, which are made of fatty acids. Some of these fatty acids are "unsaturated", meaning they are more prone to oxidation reactions than "saturated" fatty acids.
The end products of oxidation are a variety of bad-tasting chemical compounds, as well as a bleached appearance. This bleached layer can be seen forming on the cheese, and the process results in the formation of many different molecules. These molecules can contribute to off-flavours like “cardboard”, “crayon-like”, or “plastic”. Many people mistakenly attribute the plastic-like taste in cheese to the plastic wrap it’s wrapped in, when it is actually caused by oxidation.
The effect of light and temperature on the colour and oxidative stability of processed cheese has been studied, and it was found that high-temperature storage induced browning reactions that developed linearly with time. Browning was less significant at ambient temperature and absent at low temperatures. Light exposure was also found to induce the formation of lipid peroxides, which were stable at low temperatures but not at higher temperatures.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three main attributes to look out for: smell, appearance, and taste. If your cheese has a gritty or grainy texture, this could be a sign that it has gone bad. If it has an unpleasant sour or bitter taste, it is likely bad.
Bad cheese often tastes overly bitter or sour, or has a musty quality to it, like drinking water from a mouldy pipe. It may also taste soapy and weird.
If you do feel ill after eating a piece of cheese that might be spoiled, it's best to call your healthcare provider. Spoiled cheese can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, loose stools, and in severe cases, fever and chills.
