Does blue cheese go bad?
Yes, blue cheese goes bad, and sometimes it’s hard to tell because it’s already streaked with a type of mold that makes it blue and tangy.
So how do you know if it’s a “bad” mold or a “good” mold?
What is blue cheese?
A cave in the French village of Roquefort is where blue cheese’s history began in the seventh century.
Legend has it that a shepherd went into a cave and forgot his cheese and lunch inside.
The cheese is then infected with the cave-grown penicillium roqueforti mold when he returns months later.
And the rest is history.
You may wonder why in the world anyone would start munching on weirdly colored stinky cheese, but there’s a first time for everything, right?
Blue cheese is known for its rich and matured texture and creamy consistency.
It comes in several varieties, but the most well-known ones include gorgonzola, stilton, Roquefort, Castello creamy blue, and Danish blue.
And each variety has its unique flavor profile.
This particular variety of cheese may frequently be seen on cheese boards, elevating appetizers, in pasta and salads, and used as a sauce or dip.
Despite its intriguing reputation, blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that goes well with various foods, especially in modern cuisine.
So, if you’ve decided to indulge in the wonder of blue cheese (also spelled bleu cheese), let’s get to know this incredible type of cheese a little better.
You may be thinking, “Does blue cheese go bad?”
How to tell if blue cheese has gone bad?
How long does blue cheese last?
Does blue cheese dressing go bad?
Keep reading as we discuss everything there is to know about blue cheese, including the things that can be done to keep it fresh and ensure it is still good to eat.
Does Blue Cheese Go Bad?
Although blue cheese may look strange and out of the ordinary, did you know it goes great with steak?
It’s also a favorite of some folks to put on salads.
However, you might be wondering if blue cheese can spoil despite its distinctive flavor.
The answer to the question is “yes.”
The mold developed on its surface results from an edible mold culture called penicillium, deliberately added to the cheese mixture.
Therefore, it is perfectly OK to consume in its fresh state as a creamy-white color with streaks and patches of dull or bright blue.
However, can a moldy cheese get …even moldier?
Yes, it’s a different mold that changes its color and texture, decomposing the cheese and changing both the nutrition and the food safety.
So, it is best to get rid of it as soon as you see any other kinds of bacteria growing on it.
How To Tell If Blue Cheese Has Gone Bad
Blue cheese is known for having a funky smell and streaks of blue or greenish-blue mold.
As a result, determining if this variety of cheese is past its prime is challenging.
So, to help you determine whether blue cheese has gone bad, here are a few signs.
1. Presence of mold
Blue mold in blue cheese is normal, but if you see any fuzzy spots of gray or black mold, you should toss out the cheese and don’t eat it.
2. Change in appearance
It is generally creamy or white in appearance, but if you find green, brown, yellow, or glossy bright pink patches, throw it out right away.
And if its texture becomes fuzzy or slimy, the blue cheese has reached the point of no return. That said…
White spots on the cheese that aren’t fuzzy could be salt crystals, calcium lactate, or tyrosine crystals … These crystalline spots are totally fine and even add to the flavor of the cheese. (PHCheese)
3. Change in smell
One method to assess whether cheese has gone bad is to sniff it.
If it smells like ammonia and you pull your face away when you sniff it, it has probably gone bad.
4. Change in taste
Getting a tiny amount of your blue cheese and tasting it is one way to ensure that it is safe to eat, provided that the cheese has not changed in its smell or color.
Fresh blue cheese has a strong, tangy flavor.
But when the cheese starts to spoil, it becomes quite bitter.
Therefore, it can no longer be considered good or safe to eat.
How Long Does Blue Cheese Last?
There is no definitive answer.
Its shelf life is determined by how well it was packaged, stored and chilled.
If you want to buy a freshly cut blue cheese, ask the deli counter or cheese seller how long it will last.
The kind of blue cheese you buy will also affect how long it will keep its freshness.
Refrigeration will keep it fresh for several weeks, a month, or two.
Plus, keeping it well-protected and neatly packed will extend its shelf life.
Do you know that it will still be edible two weeks beyond its expiration date?
Pre-packaged blue cheese can be stored in the fridge for three to eight weeks and kept for up to a week after its best-by date.
How long do blue cheese crumbles last?
If kept in the refrigerator, the unopened blue cheese crumbles can be used for two more weeks beyond their expiration date.
While blue cheese crumbles that have been opened only last in the refrigerator for one week.
Thus, it is advisable to eat it right away before it loses its freshness.
Marketside packaging states clearly: Perishable | Keep Refrigerated
So don’t leave crumbles out at room temp for hours at a time. Take out what you want to serve or eat and put the container back in the refrigerator.
How To Store Blue Cheese
Do you have leftover blue cheese but don’t know how to keep it?
I can help you out with that.
Well, you’re on the right track, and let me tell you how to store blue cheese properly.
The only way to keep blue cheese fresh and extend its shelf life is to store it in the fridge.
Here are some pointers for you!
For the opened blue cheese package, you should wrap them in cheese paper.
You may use wax paper or parchment paper for cheese paper if you don’t have the latter on hand.
Put your wrapped blue cheese in the most humid part of your fridge to keep it from drying.
Additionally, you can use containers to store your blue cheese.
When it comes to fresh, unopened blue cheese, however, keeping it sealed and in its original packaging is the best way to ensure its freshness.
In addition to that, you could also try freezing it to prolong its shelf life by around two months.
However, freezing this type of cheese will alter its texture.
You’ll notice a powdered texture and a loss of the creamy edge.
Although you may use it as an ingredient in many cuisines, it will no longer be as delightful on a cheese board.
You can keep blue cheese at room temperature if you’re having a party and want to use it right away.
And if you’re fortunate enough to have a cheese grotto, that’s the most significant spot to put them.
Why Is My Blue Cheese Wet?
You shouldn’t worry if you find that your blue cheese is wet.
It is simply due to the high moisture content or the liquid whey.
Natural-aged cheeses frequently acquire or contain trace amounts of moisture over time.
You can clean it with a dry napkin or paper towel and enjoy it.
However, if you detect the blue cheese becoming slimy or feeling dry and sticky, it’s time to discard it.
What Should Blue Cheese Taste Like?
You’re probably curious about the flavor of blue cheese at this point.
Blue cheeses generally have a slightly salty and spicy flavor but not the same as a hot pepper’s Scoville rating.
And if you wish to experience its flavor for the first time, you may combine it with cream.
Thanks to the cream sauce, you will find it easier to tolerate the strong taste of the blue cheese.
The moldy portion, however, tastes somewhat nutty, earthy, and milky.
Every cheese has a different level of taste.
Some emit strong, powerful tastes, while others emit bland, faint flavors.
On the first bite, it may appear a little saltier.
On the other hand, if you are pretty familiar with this type of cheese, you may say that it exhibits a flavor that is unique among those of its kind.
Does Blue Cheese Dressing Go Bad?
The blue cheese dressing is a favorite option for salad dressing, dip, and side sauce.
Its primary ingredients include mayonnaise, buttermilk, yogurt, sour cream, milk, onion powder, vinegar, garlic powder, and blue cheese.
And just like other foods and dairy products, blue cheese dressing may also go bad.
The spoilage of blue cheese dressing is greatly dependent on its storage conditions.
If you keep it cool and properly stored in the refrigerator, it will have a longer shelf life.
At best, it will usually last between six and nine months.
For the commercially produced blue cheese, you can trust the “best-by” label included in the packaging.
And if it has been stored correctly and has passed its expiration date without showing signs of spoilage or damage in the packaging, you may consume it.
It is, however, suggested that you conform to the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the blue cheese dressing will keep its peak quality.
After all, using fresh products is always preferable for you and your family’s safety.
Alternatively, if you want to prepare homemade blue cheese dressing, you should consume it within five to seven days.
The shelf life of homemade blue cheese dressing is highly uncertain.
And contamination is possible due to the complexity of the procedure.
How To Tell If Blue Cheese Dressing Has Gone Bad
The easiest way to determine if blue cheese dressing has gone bad is to check and smell it visually.
If the homemade or store-bought blue cheese dressing starts to have an unpleasant smell, taste, or look, discard it.
And if the blue cheese begins to generate an ammonia-like odor, it is quite likely that it is rotten.
Also, throw it out immediately if it shows any mold or deterioration.
Types of blue cheese
Blue cheese is technically an umbrella term for all the kinds of cheese that have been injected with some type of the Penicillium bacteria.
Different strains of bacteria can produce different kinds of blue cheese. And each kind of cheese is produced in its own way with other kinds of cultures added too.
If you are a lover of fine cheese and find yourself wanting to know more about how these cheeses differ and what makes them special, go here.
- Gorgonzola
- Roquefort
- Stilton
- Cambozola
- Danablu
- Calabres
The bottom line
If I were to describe blue cheese in one word, it would be “diversity.”
This cheese’s broad spectrum of creaminess, sharpness, and tastes appeals to customers since it has a fascinating variety.
When deciding which type of blue cheese to purchase, always select the creamy ones since they have a milder flavor than the crumbly ones.
It works great as a spread for toast, crackers, or chips.
But, whichever way you want to use it, I hope you can maximize its full potential and make your dip or dish enticing for anyone who tries it.
