3 Ways to Tell if a Blue Cheese is Broken

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3 Ways to Tell if a Blue Cheese is Broken
3 Ways to Tell if a Blue Cheese is Broken

Video: 3 Ways to Tell if a Blue Cheese is Broken

Video: 3 Ways to Tell if a Blue Cheese is Broken
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Blue cheese contains an edible mold, which is responsible for the very characteristic flavor and smell of the spice. As much as this is not to everyone's liking, it can be consumed without any problems. Even so, your piece can spoil, just like any other cheese, and it is important to know how to assess the freshness of the food before consuming it.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Analyzing the Cheese

Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 1
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 1

Step 1. Smell it

The best way to find out if the cheese has gone bad is to sniff it. A fresh piece has a very strong and characteristic odor that changes when it starts to spoil. If it smells like ammonia, it's best to throw it away.

It's always good to sniff the cheese as soon as you get home to identify its natural odor and let you know when it starts to change

Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 2
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 2

Step 2. Look at the color

A fresh blue cheese is already moldy, with slightly blue or greenish spots. It is important, therefore, to note the hue of the creamy part of the cheese, which is usually white, beige or yellowish. If it starts to turn pink, brown, green, or blue, throw the cheese away.

  • As with the question of smell, look at the color of the cheese once you get home, so you can see when it changes.
  • In addition to color changes, look at the surface of the cheese. If you notice any change in texture, such as if the piece is sticky or fuzzy, throw it away.
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 3
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 3

Step 3. Taste the cheese

If the odor and appearance remain the same, just do the last test: taste a piece. As much as blue cheese has a strong and characteristic flavor, it usually turns bitter when spoiled. If the piece doesn't taste good, throw it away.

Normally, eating a small piece of spoiled cheese shouldn't be enough to make you sick

Method 2 of 3: Following the packaging date

Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 4
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 4

Step 1. Discard cheese if it has been out of the fridge for more than two days

To keep the product longer, it must be stored cool. If you forget to keep it in the fridge for more than two days, it's best to throw it away as it will spoil quickly.

Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 5
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 5

Step 2. Discard chilled cheese for more than three weeks

When kept in the fridge, blue cheese can last a long time. Check the expiration date on the package and know that the product can normally be consumed for one to two weeks after the deadline stipulated by the manufacturer. In most cases, therefore, it can be stored for three to four weeks.

To keep the cheese as fresh as possible, set the refrigerator at a temperature below 4 °C

Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 6
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 6

Step 3. Discard frozen cheese after six months

When stored in the freezer at -17 °C, the cheese can last indefinitely. In other words, freeze what you are not going to consume within a month so you don't lose anything. Still, to maintain the flavor and texture, do not store the cheese for longer than six months.

Thawing can end up changing the flavor and texture of the cheese, making it more crumbly and tasteless

Method 3 of 3: Storing the Cheese

Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 7
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 7

Step 1. Cut cheese to freeze

If you want to store the piece in the freezer, it is best to cut it into pieces of no more than 200 g. If the product is grated or crushed, divide it into portions of the same size. Ideally, use a food scale to weigh everything and prepare for storage.

It is possible to freeze a cheese that has already been opened and consumed, just cut it and divide it into portions following the instructions above

Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 8
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 8

Step 2. Pack the cheese twice

It doesn't matter if you keep it in the fridge or freezer, it's important to pack it well to keep it fresh longer. Start by wrapping the piece in parchment paper. Then wrap the paper with PVC film or aluminum foil.

  • If you are going to freeze the cheese, put it already packed in a plastic bag.
  • If you're afraid of flavor contamination, it's a good idea to keep the cheese packaged inside a lidded jar for extra protection.
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 9
Tell When Blue Cheese Is Bad Step 9

Step 3. Store on the last shelf of the refrigerator

The colder it is, the longer the cheese will last. Since the bottom of the refrigerator is usually cooler, it's a good idea to store the piece there to preserve it longer. If the refrigerator has drawers at the bottom, use them; as they are not opened very often, the temperature remains more stable and preserves food more.

Tips

  • If the cheese shows signs of being rotten when opened, return it to the store. Take the invoice and ask for a refund or a new product.
  • As it is quite moist, blue cheese tends to spoil faster than dry varieties.

Notices

  • Even if only one part looks spoiled, it's best to discard the entire piece, as bacteria or mold may be present throughout the cheese.
  • If you get sick after consuming a cheese and you suspect it is spoiled, it's a good idea to see a doctor.

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