Randy Chandler
Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a distinct yet delicate flavour and a slight nuttiness. Its shelf life depends on a few factors, including how it's stored and whether it's opened. An unopened chunk of Swiss cheese will last for about 6 months in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen and will maintain its best quality for about 6 to 8 months. Once opened, Swiss cheese should be consumed within a few weeks. To maximize the shelf life of Swiss cheese, it's best to store it in its original packaging and not open it until ready to use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shelf life in the refrigerator | About 6 months if unopened |
| Extending shelf life | Freeze in portions of no more than 1/2 pound each, wrapped tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or placed inside a heavy-duty freezer bag |
| Shelf life in the freezer | Maintains best quality for about 6 to 8 months, but remains safe beyond that |
| Thawed Swiss cheese | Best suited for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, and casseroles |
| Signs of spoilage | Hard texture, dark colour, strong smell, and mould |
| Signs of spoilage in hard cheeses | Mould on the surface, squashy spots with darkening, ballooning of the packaging, horrible smell |
| Signs of spoilage in soft cheeses | Mould, off odour, flavour or appearance |
| Storage | Store in wax, parchment, or cheese paper; avoid tight, non-porous material like plastic wrap |
| Storage temperature | Below 40°F (4°C) |
| Serving | Allow cheese to come to room temperature to enjoy its best and fullest flavour |
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What You'll Learn
Unopened Swiss cheese can last for up to 6 months in the fridge
Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a relatively long shelf life. Unopened Swiss cheese can last for up to 6 months in the fridge. It is important to note that this duration assumes that the cheese is stored properly and that the packaging remains intact until it is ready to be consumed.
To maximize the shelf life of Swiss cheese, it is recommended to keep it in its original packaging and refrigerate it. If the cheese has been pre-sliced, it is advisable to use the parchment paper provided by the manufacturer to wrap it before placing it in the refrigerator. This practice helps maintain the quality and flavor of the cheese.
Freezing is another effective method to prolong the shelf life of Swiss cheese. When freezing an unopened chunk of Swiss cheese, it is important to cut the cheese into portions of no more than half a pound each. Then, wrap the portions tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, Swiss cheese can maintain its best quality for about 6 to 8 months in the freezer and will remain safe beyond that duration.
It is important to inspect Swiss cheese for any signs of spoilage, especially when it is past its "best by" date. Swiss cheese that is going bad will typically develop a very hard texture, darken in color, emit a strong smell, and mold may appear. If mold is present, it is recommended to cut away at least one inch around and below the moldy area without touching the mold with the knife. However, if mold appears in packaged shredded, sliced, or crumbled Swiss cheese, the entire package should be discarded.
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Frozen Swiss cheese can be stored indefinitely at 0°F
Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a relatively long shelf life. An unopened chunk of Swiss cheese will last for about six months in the refrigerator. To extend its shelf life, it can be frozen. When freezing Swiss cheese, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each, and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.
Swiss cheese that has been constantly frozen and maintained at 0°F will remain safe to consume indefinitely. The low temperature of 0°F prevents the growth of microbes that can spoil food or cause foodborne illnesses.
It is important to note that frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor. Therefore, thawed Swiss cheese is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.
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Thawed Swiss cheese is best suited for cooked dishes
An unopened chunk of packaged Swiss cheese will last for about six months in the refrigerator. It is recommended to keep the cheese in its original packaging when refrigerating and to not open the package until it is ready to be used. If you want to extend the shelf life of Swiss cheese, you can freeze it. When freezing, cut the cheese into portions of about half a pound each and wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen Swiss cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 to 8 months but will remain safe beyond that time.
Freezing can impact the flavour and texture of cheese, with softer cheeses experiencing more noticeable alterations. However, harder cheeses like Swiss cheese tend to come through the freezing process with minimal damage to texture and flavour. Freezing does not completely halt the ageing process but merely slows it down. Therefore, it is essential to thaw frozen cheese correctly to maintain its quality. The best method is to transfer the cheese from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw slowly. This gradual process helps to preserve the cheese's texture and flavour.
It is important to note that while freezing and thawing cheese can extend its shelf life, fresh cheese will always have the best taste and texture. Properly sealed and vacuumed cheese can last for months or even a year or more. However, once opened, exposure to air and potential bacterial contamination cause the shelf life to decline significantly. Therefore, it is recommended to consume opened Swiss cheese within a few weeks to a couple of months.
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Signs of spoilage: hard texture, discolouration, strong smell, mould
Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a relatively long shelf life. An unopened chunk of Swiss cheese will last for about 6 months in the refrigerator. Once opened, it is best to consume the cheese within one to two weeks to ensure optimal flavour and safety.
Swiss cheese that is going bad will typically display a few tell-tale signs of spoilage:
- Hard texture: Fresh Swiss cheese has a firm yet slightly elastic texture. A drastic change in texture, such as a slimy or sticky surface, indicates bacterial growth and spoilage.
- Discolouration: Swiss cheese has a pale yellow colour. A change in colour, such as dark spots or a yellowed appearance, suggests that the cheese is contaminated and no longer safe to eat.
- Strong smell: Swiss cheese should have a mild, nutty aroma. An unusual, unpleasant, or sour odour indicates that the cheese has gone bad.
- Mould: Any visible mould on the surface of Swiss cheese signifies spoilage. If mould appears, cut off the affected area plus at least half an inch to one inch around it using a clean knife to prevent cross-contamination. While this is generally safe for hard cheeses, it is recommended to discard the entire product if mould is present in soft cheeses.
It is important to note that consuming spoiled cheese can lead to foodborne illness. Proper storage, such as wrapping Swiss cheese tightly in plastic wrap, aluminium foil, or specialised cheese paper, can help extend its shelf life and inhibit bacterial and mould growth.
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Swiss cheese tastes better at room temperature
Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a relatively long shelf life. When unopened, it can last for several months past its 'best by' date when kept in the refrigerator. Its shelf life can be further extended by freezing it. When frozen, Swiss cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 to 8 months, but it can be stored safely beyond that time.
Now, while Swiss cheese has a long shelf life, it is best consumed at room temperature. When it comes to hard, aged wedges with plenty of miles on their affinage odometers, warming them to room temperature can awaken subtle aromas and flavours that may otherwise be undetectable. This is especially true for Swiss cheese, which has a very distinct aroma that is best experienced at room temperature.
Swiss cheese, like all hard cheeses, has a low moisture content, which means it can sit out at room temperature for longer without spoiling. According to the U.S. Department of Health, cheese should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. However, this limit reduces to one hour if the temperature is above 90°F (32°C).
While Swiss cheese is safe at room temperature for a couple of hours, it is important to note that it should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain its long shelf life. Properly stored, an unopened chunk of Swiss cheese will last for about 6 months in the refrigerator.
So, if you're looking to get the most out of your Swiss cheese, let it sit out at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving to enhance its flavour, but be sure to keep it refrigerated when not in use.
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Frequently asked questions
Packaged Swiss cheese can last for several weeks to a few months in the refrigerator. If unopened, it can last for up to 6 months.
To extend the shelf life, you can freeze the cheese. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each, and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap. Alternatively, place the portions into a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen Swiss cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 to 8 months but will remain safe to eat beyond that time.
Swiss 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 appears on hard Swiss cheese, cut away at least 1 inch around and below the mouldy area and cover the rest of the cheese in fresh wrap. If mould appears on soft Swiss cheese, discard the entire package.
The best way to store packaged Swiss cheese is to wrap it in parchment or wax paper, then plastic. This will help to maintain its moisture and prevent it from drying out. Store it in the refrigerator and try to keep the temperature below 40°F (4°C).
Swiss cheese tastes better when it is allowed to come to room temperature, as it allows the cheese to be enjoyed at its fullest flavour.
