Blue cheese contains edible mushrooms and adds a sharp taste and smell. Although only certain people like the taste, this cheese is safe to eat. However, blue cheese can go stale just like any other cheese, and you need to know how to recognize it in order to enjoy blue cheese safely.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Checking Cheese
Step 1. Smell the cheese
The best way to tell if blue cheese has gone stale is to smell it. Fresh blue cheese has a strong odor, but this smell changes as it gets stale. Sniff the blue cheese, and if you smell something like ammonia, the cheese is probably stale.
It's a good idea to sniff the blue cheese after taking it home. This way, you will recognize the smell of blue cheese when it is fresh and will be able to better recognize changes in the smell of stale cheese
Step 2. Pay attention to the color of the cheese
Fresh blue cheese already has mold in it, which is usually blue or green. However, you need to pay attention to the color of the cream part of the cheese. Normally, this area is white, cream, or yellow. If it starts to turn pink, brown, or green, chances are your blue cheese has gone stale.
- As before, make sure you see and remember the color of the blue cheese when it's fresh so that it's easier for you to recognize the change in color of the cheese as it gets stale.
- In addition to the discoloration, look at the surface of your blue cheese as well. Does the cheese look slimy or downy? It's best to throw away the cheese if the texture changes.
Step 3. Taste the cheese
If the smell and color of the blue cheese haven't changed, it's usually stale cheese that can be identified by taste. Fresh blue cheese has a strong, tangy taste, but this flavor gets stronger as the cheese goes stale. If the blue cheese tastes too strong to eat, it's best to throw it away because the cheese has gone stale.
Usually, a person can eat a little blue cheese without getting sick. So you'll be fine if you just taste the blue cheese
Method 2 of 3: Following the Expiration Date
Step 1. Throw away any cheese that hasn't been refrigerated after two days
Blue cheese should be refrigerated to keep it fresh. So, if you just leave it on the table, the cheese will go stale faster. Usually, you will notice that the cheese has gone stale after just a few days. If you forget to put the cheese in the refrigerator, it's best to throw it away when two or more days have passed.
Step 2. Discard the refrigerated cheese after 3-4 weeks
Cheese that is refrigerated can last longer. Check the expiration date of your cheese. Usually, cheese is still good for 1-2 weeks after the expiration date. This means that usually cheese can last in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
To keep the cheese as fresh as possible, make sure the refrigerator temperature is not set above 40 degrees Celsius
Step 3. Discard the frozen blue cheese after six months
If blue cheese is stored in the freezer at 0 degrees Celsius, it will last longer. This means you can store excess cheese that won't be used for at least a month in the freezer so it doesn't go stale. However, for the best taste and texture, do not store frozen cheese for more than half a year.
Don't forget that the taste and texture of blue cheese can change somewhat when it's thawed. The cheese will lose some of its sharpness and is usually more crumbly
Method 3 of 3: Storing Blue Cheese
Step 1. Cut the cheese before freezing
If you want to store blue cheese in the freezer, divide it into pieces no larger than 227 g. For crumbly blue cheese, divide into equal-weight portions. Use a food scale to measure the weight of each slice or portion of cheese before preparing for storage.
You can freeze blue cheese that has been opened or served. Just make sure you cut the remaining cheese slices or divide them into 227g portions as directed
Step 2. Wrap the cheese twice
Whether you're going to store it in the refrigerator or freezer, blue cheese must be packaged properly to keep it fresh longer. First, wrap the cheese in wax paper or parchment. After that, wrap it with plastic wrap so that it doesn't dry out.
- If you're freezing cheese, place the cheese wrap in a plastic freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
- If you're concerned that the cheese will be contaminated with odors or other flavors in the refrigerator, place the package in an airtight plastic container for added protection.
Step 3. Store in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator
Blue cheese will last longer the colder it gets. Since the bottom of the refrigerator is usually the coldest, store the cheese there so that it lasts as long as possible. If your refrigerator has a drawer in the bottom, keep it there. This drawer is rarely opened when using the refrigerator so the temperature inside will remain stable.
Tips
- If your blue cheese shows signs of going stale when you first open it, don't hesitate to return it to the store. Bring proof of purchase and have your blue cheese replaced or your money refunded.
- Blue cheeses with high moisture content will spoil faster than the drier varieties.
Warning
- If only certain parts of the cheese are discolored, slimy, or hairy, don't cut them and eat the rest. It's a good idea to throw away all of your blue cheese, as bacteria or mold may still be on the cheese.
- If you feel sick from eating blue cheese without checking it first, you should see a doctor immediately.
