When Does Cheese Go Bad?

The only problem when it comes to cheese is that it is sometimes impossible to finish an entire wheel or wedge in one sitting, no matter how hard you try. Whether you have leftover cheese simply purchased a large quantity of cheese and need to know how long it will be good for, it helps to know when it will be going bad. The following guidelines can help you predict how long of a life your cheese has as well as show you if it is no longer safe to eat.

Hard Cheese

No matter the type of cheese you have, its lifespan will depend on whether it is opened or unopened and in a chunk or shredded. Hard cheese (like Romano, Asiago, or Parmesan) that is unopened and in a chunk will last two to four months in the fridge, but if it is shredded, it will only last one to two months. If the cheese is opened, however, plan on a chunk lasting three to six weeks and the shredded version going three to four weeks.

Semi-Hard Cheese

As cheese gets softer, its lifespan decreases. Therefore a semi-hard cheese (like Swiss or cheddar), in a chunk will last one to two months if unopened or three to six weeks of opened. Shredded semi-hard cheese should be good for a month when unopened or two weeks if opened. Soft cheeses will have an even shorter lifespan, which is when the following guidelines become helpful.

Use Smell

If you aren’t sure whether your cheese is past its prime, the easiest way to tell is by using your senses. One of the first signs that cheese is bad will be if it smells odd. All cheeses smell different, so be sure to give your cheese a sniff when you buy it so you know what it should smell like. Bad cheese may smell like the freezer or fridge, like ammonia, or like spoiled milk.

Use Sight

While most people are concerned about a little bit of mold, you can simply cut this portion off (including a bit extra in every direction) and eat the rest of the cheese. If, however, the cheese is completely covered in mold, then you should toss it. Also pay attention to whether the cheese has changed colors or the texture has become less consistent. Check for bloated packaging, oil, and sliminess as well.

Use Taste

Although most people are hesitant to do so, the final way to see if your cheese is bad is to have a small taste. Eating a tiny piece won’t hurt you, and it can be the best way to tell for sure whether cheese has gone bad. If you aren’t sure based on timing, sight, and smell, then tasting will be the only way to see if the cheese is good and you will know as soon as you take a nibble. Just remember to only take a small bite.