The cheesemaking process will make you think it’ll never go bad. Let’s consider the shelf life and spoilage of parmesan cheese in this article.
Parmesan is one of the most popular types you’ll find in the market and it’s normal to buy a lot of whatever you love the most. Sometimes buying in bulk goes South when the cheese begins to look different, I mean bad different.
Ahead, this article provides information on the shelf life, storage, and preservation of parmesan cheese.
What is parmesan cheese?
Parmesan cheese is an Italian hard cheese. It is known all around Europe and a vast number of countries of the world.
Outside of Europe, many generic kinds of cheese use the name Parmesan for cheeses made in a certain way in a certain area of Italy.
Does parmesan cheese go bad?
Yes, parmesan cheese goes bad but under some conditions.
Like every other food item, parmesan will not show any sign of spoilage until you open the pack. An unopened pack of this cheese should last 7 to 9 months under the right storage conditions.
The printed date also influences the rate of spoilage. As long as the cheese has not gone past its printed date and has been stored properly, it should be fine.
At what temperature does parmesan cheese go bad?
Naturally, parmesan cheese has a long shelf life. But the temperature and the storage condition also influence the rate of spoilage.
This cheese will retain its best quality for only 8 hours at room temperature. If you want to keep it longer than this, then, you have to refrigerate or freeze it.
The temperature of the refrigerator and freezer will inhibit bacterial growth and spoilage.
How to tell parmesan cheese is bad
You will most definitely know your cheese is bad by its smell. This cannot be hidden. It is the most evident and potent way to tell that any food has gone bad. Another way to tell is by its color and mold.
Color
Good and fresh parmesan is yellow and creamy. If you are very observant, you’ll notice a deviation in the color of sour or bad cheese.
Dark yellow, green, or blue discolorations are telltale signs that the cheese is bad.
Mold
There are two ways to tell if parmesan cheese is moldy. If it has an odor, is spongy, or has suddenly developed a rind then it is moldy and bad.
If the rind is brown, the cheese is bad. A yellow rind is probably not moldy, but it could be harmful.
What happens if you eat bad parmesan cheese?
There is no concrete or medical knowledge on what could happen if you eat bad parmesan cheese. However, two things could occur. One is you get a stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
And the second is nothing at all. You may just be lucky and wouldn’t experience any health complications that could land you in the hospital.
However, you should not eat bad parmesan cheese.
How to preserve parmesan cheese
To prevent your cheese from going bad you need to be meticulous with the preservation techniques.
- Wrap your cheese in the wrapper to prevent it from spoiling. Make sure the wrapper is wide enough, and the cheese breathes and does not get worse.
- If you have grated parmesan, ensure to keep it in an airtight container in replacement of the wrapper.
- Put the cheese in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also keep it in the crisper drawer.
- If the cheese comes in a sealed package, keep it that way.
- Another way to store this cheese is to freeze it in an airtight container or bag.
- You can either use frozen shredded cheese straight from the freezer or place a wedge on a countertop for ten minutes at room temperature to defrost before using.
FAQs
Does kraft-grated parmesan go bad?
Yes, it does. If not preserved with thorough care, the grated cheese would go bad. Spoilage is characterized by an off smell, compromised taste, and appearance.
These are the signs that your cheese is bad and shouldn’t be touched or eaten any longer.
Does hard parmesan cheese go bad?
Hard parmesan cheeses do not go bad when they have been stored properly and remain unopened. They could even last for close to 2-4 months.
However, when it is opened you can only keep it for about six weeks before it starts to go bad.
Can you freeze parmesan cheese?
Yes, you can freeze parmesan cheese. Freezing is one of the best ways to preserve this cheese from going bad. This gives it longevity and allows you to eat it fresh whenever you want.
How long does parmesan cheese last in the freezer?
Your parmesan cheese can stay up to nine months if kept whole and unopened in the freezer. All you need to do is have it saved in an airtight container to prevent it from getting exposed.
Conclusion
The truth is you can never outgrow eating cheese. It is that universal food that everyone loves and craves.
Although, it could be a bit of a problem for those allergic to dairy as they may find it hard to partake of this delicious offering called cheese.
If you do not have any problem with eating parmesan, then, you must preserve it well to get the best out of it. Moreover, preserving cheese properly helps to keep it healthy and safe to eat.
Finally, if you love to blend two types of cheese, feta is an excellent complementary cheese to parm. Read this article on how to freeze feta cheese.
Thank you for reading.
