Frederic Melton
Ricotta is a mild, soft cheese that is highly perishable and has a short shelf life. Unlike other cheeses, ricotta has almost no odour and only smells when it has gone bad. This article will explore the unique characteristics of ricotta cheese, including its typical smell, taste, and shelf life, as well as how to identify when it has gone bad.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Odor | Mild, almost no odor, smells like milk |
| Spoiled | Sour or fermented odor, spoiled milk odor, yellow tint, grainy cheese water, pale pink, blue or green mold |
| Refrigeration | Should be stored covered and in the refrigerator at 40°F or cooler |
| Refrigeration Time | 1-2 weeks after opening, 2-4 weeks unopened |
| Room Temperature | Should not be left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature |
| Freezing | Can be frozen, maintains best quality for about 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Ricotta cheese has almost no odour
Unlike many other cheeses, ricotta cheese has a very mild odour. It is a soft, fresh cheese with a taste and smell that is mostly reminiscent of milk. This is because ricotta is made from the whey left over after the curds have been separated from the whey in milk during the cheese-making process.
Due to its high perishability, ricotta should always be stored in the refrigerator, covered or in an airtight container, and at a temperature of 40°F (4.4°C) or cooler. Even with proper handling, an opened package of ricotta will only last for about one to two weeks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is recommended to discard ricotta cheese that has been in the fridge for longer than two weeks after opening. If the ricotta has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours, it should be thrown away.
To determine if ricotta cheese has gone bad, a smell test can be performed. If the ricotta has developed an off odour or a sour or fermented smell, it should be discarded. Other signs of spoilage include a change in colour (yellow tint or pale pink, blue, or green spots), the presence of mould, a grainy texture, or a loss of its sweet taste.
It is important to handle ricotta cheese with care as spoiled ricotta may contain the bacteria Listeria, which can cause food poisoning, especially in older people, pregnant women, young children, and those with weakened immune systems.
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How to store ricotta cheese
Ricotta cheese is a mild, soft cheese with a light, milky flavour and almost no odour. If you notice a sour or fermented smell, it has gone bad and should be discarded.
Ricotta cheese is highly perishable and should always be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler. Even with careful handling, an opened package of ricotta will only last one to two weeks. To be safe, discard ricotta cheese that has been in your fridge for longer than two weeks. All packages of ricotta cheese will bear a "use-by" date, and an unopened container may stay fresh for two to four weeks and may be good for one to two weeks past this date.
If you have purchased more ricotta cheese than you need, you can freeze it. To do so, cut the cheese into portions, drain the liquid, and use paper towels to remove excess moisture. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, place the wrapped cheese into a zipper bag, and store it in the freezer for up to two months. When you are ready to use the frozen ricotta, thaw it in the refrigerator and use it within two days.
Some seasonings, such as salt and vinegar, can help preserve food, but the concentration required will make the ricotta unpalatable.
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How to identify if ricotta cheese has gone bad
Ricotta cheese is a mild, soft cheese with a subtle smell that mostly resembles milk. It is highly perishable, and an opened package of ricotta will typically last in the fridge for about a week before it goes bad. To identify if ricotta cheese has gone bad, there are several signs to look out for:
Appearance
Ricotta cheese that has gone bad will often exhibit changes in appearance. Look out for any yellowish or brown discolouration, as this can indicate spoilage. Additionally, the presence of a layer of water on top of the cheese, or a grainy texture, can also suggest that the ricotta has gone bad.
Smell
Although ricotta cheese typically has a mild and subtle aroma, a noticeable change in its odour can indicate spoilage. If the cheese begins to smell sour or fermented, it is best to discard it. Trust your nose—if it smells off, it's probably best to throw it out.
Taste
If the ricotta has lost its mellow, sweet taste, this could be another sign that it has gone bad.
Expiration Date
Check the expiration date on the package. If the date has passed, it is a safe bet that the cheese is no longer good. Even if it looks and smells fine, it's best to err on the side of caution and discard it.
Other Considerations
If you find that your ricotta cheese is consistently going bad within a few days, there may be other factors at play. For instance, your refrigerator may not be maintaining the recommended temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Alternatively, there could be cultures of dairy-eating bacteria in your fridge, causing your dairy products to spoil more quickly.
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Ricotta cheese's shelf life
Ricotta cheese is a soft, mild, and perishable cheese with a short shelf life. It has a high water content, which means it spoils quickly and should be consumed within three days to a week of opening. To extend its shelf life, proper storage is essential.
When unopened, ricotta cheese can be stored in the refrigerator and should be kept at a constant temperature of 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be placed in the most consistently chilly part of the refrigerator, typically the very back of the bottom shelf, to maintain a stable temperature. An unopened container of ricotta can stay fresh for about two to four weeks and may even be good for one or two weeks past the "use-by" date. However, if the date has long passed, it is best to discard the cheese.
Once opened, ricotta cheese is highly perishable and should always be stored in a clean container and kept in the refrigerator. An opened package of ricotta will generally only last for about one to two weeks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To be cautious, it is recommended to discard ricotta cheese that has been opened and stored in the refrigerator for longer than two weeks.
If you wish to extend the shelf life of ricotta cheese, freezing is an option. Freezing ricotta can increase its shelf life to about two months or even longer. To freeze ricotta, gently press the cheese between paper towels to remove excess moisture, wrap it tightly in cling film, and place it in an airtight container or a freezer bag. However, it is important to note that freezing will affect the texture of the cheese, making it drier, crumbly, and grittier. Therefore, it is recommended to use frozen ricotta only in cooked dishes like lasagna or quiche, where its altered texture will be less noticeable.
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What to do with frozen ricotta cheese
Ricotta cheese is a soft, mild cheese with a delicate, almost sweet flavour. It has very little odour, and any sour or fermented smell indicates that the cheese should be discarded.
Ricotta cheese is highly perishable, but freezing can be a good way to extend its shelf life. Freezing ricotta cheese will not alter its flavour, but it will affect the texture, making it dry and crumbly. This change in texture means that previously frozen ricotta is best suited to cooked recipes, such as:
- Italian Pie
- Ricotta Cavatelli
- Lemony Ricotta Cookies
- Eggplant Involtini
- Spinach-Ricotta Quiche
- Baked Ziti with Sausage
- Pasta fillings, e.g. for ravioli or manicotti
To freeze ricotta cheese, it is best to do so when the cheese is fresh, rather than close to its expiry date. It can be frozen in its original packaging if it is unopened and well-sealed, or you can transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. It is recommended to stir the cheese before freezing to ensure it freezes evenly, and some sources suggest draining it with a layer of paper towels first to remove excess liquid. Frozen ricotta should not be kept for longer than two months, and it should always be thawed in the refrigerator, which will take around 24 hours. Once thawed, the cheese should be used within two days, and it should not be refrozen.
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Frequently asked questions
Ricotta cheese has almost no odour. It is a mild, soft cheese that tastes and smells mostly of milk.
If the ricotta cheese has developed an off odour or flavour, it should be discarded. Trust your gut; if the cheese makes your stomach tingle or you sense the damp tinge of mould, it's best to throw it out.
An opened package of ricotta cheese will generally last for about one to two weeks after opening, assuming it has been continuously refrigerated.
Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; ricotta cheese should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
To maximize the shelf life of ricotta cheese, it should be stored in the refrigerator at all times and tightly covered, either in the original packaging or in an airtight container.
