Frederic Melton
Goat cheese is a delicious treat, but it can be tricky to know when it's past its prime. While it's generally safe to eat cheese after its expiration date, it's up to you to decide if it's still edible. Fresh, soft goat cheese usually lasts a week in the fridge, but it can get slimy if not stored properly. To prevent this, wrap it in wax paper, then seal it in plastic wrap or a lidded container. Signs of spoilage include a acrid or ammonia smell, a colour change, or a slimy, mushy texture. If you see black, green, or blue dots, that's mould, and it's time to toss the cheese. When in doubt, trust your senses and don't risk it if it looks or smells off.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goat cheese getting slimy | Bacterial growth |
| Goat cheese shelf life | 1-2 weeks |
| Goat cheese smell | Pungent, barnyard-like, ammonia-like, sour milk |
| Goat cheese taste | Gamey, tangy, mild, lightly sweet, goaty |
| Goat cheese texture | Creamy, hard, fluffy, dry, sticky, tacky, oily, greasy, wet, soupy, slimy |
| Goat cheese color | White, yellow |
| Goat cheese mold | Blue, green, grey, pink |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese is slimy due to bacterial growth
Goat cheese is a beloved dairy product that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas. However, it is important to be cautious when consuming goat cheese, as it can spoil and become unsafe for consumption.
One of the signs that goat cheese has gone bad is the presence of a bacterial film. This occurs when the cheese is exposed to bacteria, which can happen if it is not properly sealed or stored at the appropriate temperature. Bacterial film is a thin layer of slimy fluid that adheres to the surface of the cheese and can also pool, giving it a slimy texture. This bacterial growth can occur if the cheese is kept beyond its recommended storage time of about one to two weeks.
The slime on the cheese is an indication of spoilage and can be harmful if consumed. It is important to discard the cheese if you notice any signs of bacterial growth, as consuming spoiled food can lead to foodborne illnesses. While goat cheese is prone to bacterial growth due to its high moisture content and perishable nature, proper storage practices can help extend its shelf life.
To prevent bacterial growth and maintain the quality of your goat cheese, it is essential to follow proper storage guidelines. This includes keeping the cheese properly sealed, stored at a food-safe temperature, and consumed within the recommended timeframe. Additionally, regular inspection of the cheese's appearance, smell, and texture can help identify any signs of spoilage before consumption.
In summary, goat cheese can become slimy due to bacterial growth, which occurs when the cheese is not properly stored or has exceeded its recommended shelf life. It is important to practice safe food handling and storage practices to prevent spoilage and potential foodborne illnesses. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your goat cheese remains safe and enjoyable to consume.
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Goat cheese is perishable and has a short shelf life
Goat cheese is highly perishable and has a short shelf life. It is a fresh cheese, which means it doesn't have the benefit of long aging or bacterial activity like yoghurt or hard cheeses. As a result, it is as perishable as milk and should not be kept for more than a week in the fridge, according to the USDA. After this point, it is prone to bacterial growth, which can cause it to spoil and become unsafe to consume.
One of the challenges with goat cheese is that it can be difficult to determine whether it has passed its best-before date. Discoloration is one potential sign of bacterial growth, but this may not always be visible, especially with soft, fresh goat cheeses, which are known for their snowy-white colour. Another sign of spoilage is the presence of a bacterial film, a thin layer of clammy, slimy fluid that adheres to the surface of the cheese. This can also pool inside the packaging. If the cheese has been improperly stored, it may also develop a tough crust and take on a yellow appearance.
Goat cheese can also spoil if it is not stored at the correct temperature. The optimal temperature for storing goat cheese is between 12°C and 16°C. If the room temperature is 20°C, it is recommended to store the cheese in the fridge one day after salting. Higher temperatures can accelerate the aging process, causing the cheese to spoil more quickly.
In addition to visual and textural cues, spoilage can also be detected by smell and taste. If the goat cheese has a sharp or acrid smell, it has likely spoiled. Goat cheese can also take on a nostril-searing ammonia note, indicating spoilage. Taste can also be a factor, with extremely bitter or chemically unpleasant flavours signalling that the cheese has gone bad.
To prolong the shelf life of goat cheese, proper storage is essential. It should be kept sealed and refrigerated at food-safe temperatures. If the cheese has been opened, it should be wrapped properly to prevent spoilage. Additionally, male and female goats should be kept separate during breeding season, as the males' hormones can affect the milk's taste and make the cheese taste "goaty."
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Goat cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life
Goat cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient, but it can be tricky to store. Fresh goat cheese, in particular, is highly perishable, with a shelf life of about a week in the refrigerator. Freezing is an option to extend the shelf life of goat cheese, but it's important to note that it can alter the texture and taste of the cheese.
If you're considering freezing your goat cheese, it's essential to start with proper wrapping. Wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap, making sure there are no exposed areas. Then, place the wrapped cheese in an airtight container or bag. This extra layer of protection helps reduce the risk of freezer burn and maintains the quality of the cheese. Label the container with the date, so you know when it was frozen.
Goat cheese can be stored in the freezer for up to one to two months. When you're ready to use it, thaw the cheese in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the texture and flavour may be altered, so it's best to use the thawed goat cheese in cooked dishes rather than eating it as is.
Additionally, not all types of goat cheese are suitable for freezing. Dry and semi-hard goat cheeses tend to withstand freezing and thawing better than fresh and ripened goat cheeses. Fresh and ripened goat cheeses have a higher moisture content, which can lead to a more noticeable change in texture after freezing.
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Goat cheese can be diluted in water to reduce its smell
Goat cheese is a popular dairy product with a dedicated fanbase. However, some people may find the strong smell of goat cheese off-putting and may want to reduce it. One way to do this is to dilute the cheese in water. This method is commonly used for feta cheese to reduce its saltiness, but it can also help to mellow out the aroma of goat cheese. To do this, place the cheese in a closed box in the fridge and cover it with water for several days, changing the water periodically. While this technique may not guarantee that the smell will be reduced to a level you find enjoyable, it is worth trying if you want to reduce the pungency of your goat cheese.
Goat cheese, like all cheese, is perishable and has a limited shelf life. The storage conditions, packaging, and time all influence the quality and shelf life of cheeses. Proper refrigeration is crucial to prevent bacterial growth, which can cause spoilage. Bacterial film, a slimy layer on the surface of the cheese, indicates that the cheese has spoiled and should not be consumed.
Additionally, the texture of the cheese may change over time, affecting its desirability. For soft cheeses like goat cheese, a slimy texture is usually undesirable and indicates spoilage. Hard cheeses, on the other hand, can be oily or greasy, which is generally acceptable, especially if they have been stored outside of refrigeration.
To extend the shelf life of goat cheese and prevent spoilage, proper storage and handling are essential. This includes maintaining a cool temperature, using appropriate packaging, and consuming the cheese within a reasonable timeframe. By following these practices, consumers can better preserve the quality and freshness of their goat cheese.
If you find yourself with overly pungent goat cheese, there are a few culinary techniques you can employ to try and mellow its flavour. Firstly, cooking the cheese may help to reduce its intensity. Thin slices of goat cheese on pizza or toast, grilled or blowtorched, can help to mitigate its potency. Additionally, pairing goat cheese with strong flavours, such as aromatic herbs like thyme, rosemary, or spices like curry, ginger, or pepper, can give it a refreshing twist and make its flavour more palatable.
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Goat cheese can be cooked to mellow its taste
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pastries. It has a strong taste and a unique smell that some may find unpleasant. If you find yourself in this situation, there are several ways to mellow the flavour of goat cheese by cooking it.
Firstly, melting goat cheese can help to reduce its strong smell and taste. Try adding thin slices of goat cheese to a pizza, or warming it on toast and finishing it under a grill or with a blowtorch. The heat from cooking will mellow the flavour of the cheese, making it more palatable to those who find the original taste too strong.
Another way to mellow the flavour of goat cheese is to pair it with other strong flavours. For example, you could try making a pear and walnut tart with goat cheese on a puff pastry base, or adding it to a charred artichoke heart dish with beef. You could also mix it with milder cheeses like Emmental, Muenster, or mild cheddar to create a cheese sauce.
Additionally, aromatic herbs and spices can be used to give goat cheese a refreshing twist. Try pairing it with thyme, rosemary, laurel leaves, curry, ginger, or ground white or black pepper. These ingredients will help to balance out the gamey flavour of the goat cheese.
Finally, you can try soaking the goat cheese in water for several days in a closed box in the fridge. This technique is commonly used with feta cheese to reduce its saltiness, but it will also help to dilute the aroma of the goat cheese. Remember to change the water a few times during the process.
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Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese can get slimy if it has been improperly stored. To prevent this, wrap the cheese in wax paper and then seal it in plastic wrap or place it in a lidded plastic or glass container.
Fresh goat cheese is usually good for about a week in the refrigerator, and some sources say it may last up to two weeks. However, if the cheese has a sharp or acrid smell, feels overly mushy, or has changed colour, it has likely gone bad.
Bad goat cheese may have black, green, or blue dots of mould, or it may have turned from white to yellow. It may also have a tough crust on the outside, indicating that it has dried out.
