Blue cheese is one of those love-it-or-hate-it food ingredients. Some of you might even be unaware of this cheese, and some might like to spread it over crackers. Blue cheese has an unusual appearance, and you might be thinking, does it go bad?
Well, this blog post is here to guide you to know how long blue cheese lasts and other related queries.
When it comes to an unopened pack of blue cheese, it can last for 6 months in the fridge, while an open pack of blue cheese can last for 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge.
Storing it in the pantry is not a great idea as the temperature fluctuates, and heat fastens the spoilage process. When it comes to the freezer, it is one of the best ways to store blue cheese and can last for a much longer time.
Blue cheese works amazingly well with salads, fruits, and nuts. Blue cheese is excellent if you are looking for an addition to creamy sauces, dressings, and soups. Moreover, it also provides an umami flavor to meat stuffing’s.
The shelf life of blue cheese is majorly based on its storage and packaging. With so many differences in open or unopened packs of blue cheese, it becomes necessary to know about the proper storage methods. It helps you to determine whether it is good for consumption or not. So, let’s dive in and know how long does blue cheese last?
How long does blue cheese last?
Well, most dairy products last for a limited amount of time, depending on various factors, including their storage and packaging. When it comes to an unopened pack of blue cheese, it can last for 6 months in the fridge.
Thus, an opened and unopened cheese pack does not have a similar shelf life. Opened pack of blue cheese can last for 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge.
This period is applied to fresh cheese you buy from the wheel. On the other hand, when we talk about crumbled blue cheese, which can stay in use for about a year. Moreover, if it is not opened, it can last even a few weeks after its best-by date in the fridge.
Placing blue cheese in the pantry is not recommended as the temperature fluctuates and heat fastens the spoilage process. When it comes to the freezer, it is one of the best ways to store blue cheese. It can last for a much longer time.
Thus, if you pay attention to its storage, it can even last past its expiration date. If it is stored in paper or carton packaging, there might be chances of it getting spoiled easily. Therefore, you must keep it in an airtight container or Ziplock bag.
Don’t worry if you are still confused about the shelf life of the blue cheese; here is a table to give an idea for a better understanding.
| Conditions | Refrigerator |
|---|---|
| Blue cheese wedge, unopened | Best by + 1 to 2 weeks |
| Blue cheese wedge, opened | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Blue cheese crumbled, unopened | Best by + 2 to 3 weeks |
| Blue cheese crumbled, opened | 1 week |
Does blue cheese go bad?
We all know dairy products can easily go bad and blue cheese is no exception. So yes, blue cheese does go bad.
You need to store blue cheese properly to avoid any kind of contamination. You can use an airtight container, plastic, or zip-loc bag to avoid air, heat, or moisture contact.
It is better to store it in the freezer or fridge rather than storing it in the pantry or near the stove.
How To Tell If Blue Cheese Goes Bad?
1. Presence of Molds or Spots
Well, blue-colored spots are native to blue cheese, and you need not be worried about this. But if you notice any gray or black colored spots on the cheese, you need to discard it quickly. These spots are signs of spoilage and bacterial attack. The presence of mold makes the blue cheese unfit for further use.
2. Change in color
Usually, the color of the blue cheese is white or a bit creamy. But if its color changes into pink, green, brown, or yellow, you must discard it immediately.
3. Ammonia-like smell
Off smell is a clear indication of spoilage of the food ingredient. Similarly, it is time to discard if blue cheese does not smell fresh and gives an overwhelming ammonia smell.
4. Change in taste
If there is no odor or color change, you must check it by tasting it. The Fresh blue cheese has a bit of salty, sharp, and strong flavor, but when it starts spilling, it becomes biting. It is right to toss it away whenever you experience a strong taste of blue cheese. Make sure you take a small quantity of cheese.
5. Change in texture
The texture of the blue cheese also helps to determine the spoilage. If you observe a slimy or fuzzy surface of the blue cheese, then you must not further use it.
6. Passed its expiration date
If you find blue cheese kept in your pantry for a long time and past its expiration date, then it is high time to toss it away. Placing blue cheese is not an ideal storing method and eventually ruins the quality of the cheese.
How To Store Blue Cheese To Extend Its Shelf Life?
Storing blue cheese contributes a lot to extending its shelf life. Here are some ways to store blue cheese to keep it safe from spoilage.
1. Freeze the cheese
One of the best ways to store blue cheese is to place it in the freezer. The cool temperature provides a better temperature and slows down the spoilage process. Just cut the cheese into small cubes, so whenever you feel the need to use it, you don’t have to take the whole pack out.
2. Refrigerating the cheese
Another great way to save your blue cheese from getting spoiled is to store it in the refrigerator. Place the temperature up to 46°F or 55°F, and you are good to go.
3. Use Airtight container
Blue cheese is a dairy product and must be stored properly to avoid spoilage. You must keep it in airtight containers to avoid contamination. If containers are unavailable, you can also go for plastic or zip-loc bags. Proper storage is important as it keeps the blue cheese from the external environment and bacterial attack.
4. Crisp drawer
The fridge’s temperature may be lower than the required one, so try to keep it in the lower drawer or the crisp drawer of the refrigerator. This will save the cheese from getting spoiled.
5. Away from heat
Heat and direct sunlight are not meant for dairy products. Thus, placing blue cheese near the stove or any heat appliances is not a good idea. This will result in speeding up the spoiling process.
6. Do not store it in the pantry
Pantry does not have a constant temperature. Therefore, it does not serve as a great place to store blue cheese. Thus, as the temperature increases, the chances of blue cheese getting spoiled also increase.
7. Keep it away from the refrigerator’s door
The door of the refrigerator does not have a constant temperature. This part of the fridge is exposed to the external environment and can spoil the quality of blue cheese. Thus instead of storing blue cheese in the refrigerator’s door, it is better to store it in the crisp drawer or the bottom of the refrigerator.
Can we freeze blue cheese?
If you want to extend the shelf life of blue cheese, then it is ideal for storing it in the freezer. This will surely slow down the spoilage process and keep it safe from high temperatures.
Although keep in mind that there must be little change in texture when it is kept in the freezer.
Before placing it in the freezer, just make sure you use airtight containers or plastic bags to store the cheese. Check if there is any moisture, and dry it out as there are high chances of bacterial attack.
It is suggested that you must cut the whole cheese into smaller portions so that whenever you want to use it, you don’t have to deal with the whole pack of cheese. This is because you cannot thaw it repeatedly, so cut it in portions and use them whenever you feel the need.
Tips To Extend Its Shelf Life Of Blue Cheese
Now you are done reading about signs of spoilage and ways to store blue cheese. Here are some tips
- Make sure you keep blue cheese away from direct sunlight and heat.
- Keep it in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Use plastic or glass containers to store it.
- You can also use zip-loc bags to store blue cheese.
- Place the cheese in the crisp drawer to provide the required temperature.
Conclusion
Well, this was all about the blue cheese. You can increase its shelf life by storing it in the fridge and freezer. Blue cheese is a great ingredient if you want to add an assorted cheese board to your dishes.
Spread it over crackers or use it in soups, salads, and sauces. The addition of this cheese just enhances the flavors of the whole recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does blue cheese go bad?
Yes, blue cheese does go bad. All dairy products can easily go bad, and blue cheese is not an exception. You need to store blue cheese properly to avoid any kind of contamination.
How to store blue cheese to extend its shelf life?
You can use an airtight container, plastic, or zip-loc bag to avoid air, heat, or moisture contact. It is better to store it in the freezer or fridge rather than storing it in the pantry or near the stove.
Can we freeze blue cheese?
If you want to extend the shelf life of blue cheese, then it is ideal for storing it in the freezer. This will surely slow down the spoilage process and keep it safe from high temperatures.
Although keep in mind that there must be little change in texture when it is kept in the freezer.
How long does blue cheese last in the fridge?
When it comes to an unopened pack of blue cheese, it can last for 6 months in the fridge. Thus, an opened and unopened cheese pack does not have a similar shelf life. Opened pack of blue cheese can last for 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge.
