How long does the cheese last?: Cheese has been the most sought-after and readily available topping for all types of snacks. Wondering how to make those perfect pizzas and wraps? Well, the cheese got you covered. Since it is a perishable item, cheese might inevitably go bad within a couple of days. No worries, this article will guide you on how to store the shredded cheese like a pro, and gauge when it has gone bad while carefully listing its shelf life.
- How long Does the shredded cheese last?
- How do you know if shredded cheese has gone bad?
- How to Store the Shredded Cheese?
- How to Defrost the Shredded Cheese?
- Health Benefits of Shredded Cheese
- Why does shredded cheese last so long?
- Can you get food poisoning from eating expired shredded cheese?
- How long can the opened shredded cheese stay fresh in the fridge?
How Long Does the Shredded Cheese Last?
Every foodie can agree that the feeling, of munching on melted cheese over a pizza base, is one of the most satisfying moments. Shredded cheese comprises cheese crumbles that we can make by grating a large block of any of the cheese varieties like goat cheese, mozzarella, etc. Since shredded cheese is extremely common, it is important to know the expert-approved shelf lives of any category of cheese. The shelf lives of opened/unopened cheese are listed below.
It is important to note that the exact shelf lives for cheese may vary depending on the manufacturer, storage conditions, outside temperatures, and transport. But, for those who wish to consume only fresh and healthy shredded cheese, it is advisable to consume that delicious cheese within 3-5 days of opening the packet. This goes for all types of cheese, including homemade cheese.
| Type of Cheese | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Shredded Cheese ( Opened) | 3-5 days ( inside the freezer) |
| Shredded Cheese (Unopened) | 1-2 weeks (inside the freezer) |
| Homemade Shredded Cheese | 3-5 days (inside the freezer) |
| Any type of shredded cheese | 7-10 hours ( room temperature) |
How do you know if Shredded Cheese has Gone Bad?
Nobody wishes to consume unhealthy or infected food. Thus, it makes sense to learn how to differentiate between good, semi-spoiled, and completely bad cheese. Though the early signs of spoiled shredded cheese may not be obvious, a few tips can help you pick the ‘bad apple’. Some of those early signs are
- Smell: If your shredded cheese smells funny or has an unnatural odor, then it is most probably unfit for use. But, cheese tends to produce such foul smells only after a long time.
- Mold: Spotted green/ black patches on the surface of your cheese? It is time to bid adieu to that cheese because it has been attacked by bacteria and fungi. Though you can safely consume solid cheese after cutting off the moldy part, it is strongly suggested to throw away the moldy, shredded cheese because the pathogens can easily seep through the tender portions.
- Sponginess: The shredded cheese is quite soft and porous. But if it feels abnormally spongy and wet, then it has definitely gone bad.
- Aged Cheese: The shredded cheese that has been opened for more than a week is not good to consume. Also, the unopened cheese shall not be used beyond 5 days of its expiry date.
However, there are a few signs that ulteriorly indicate that the cheese may have gone bad but they are false flags. For instance, the white crystals all over the cheese’s rind may look suspicious. But it is just calcium lactate crystals that form after the natural breakdown of the cheese.
The shredded cheese, similar to all other dairy items, has no specific expiry dates. It varies depending on the manufacturer and the cheese’s source. Therefore, it is perfectly fine to garnish your dishes with cheese that has expired for a day or so. But anything beyond that can potentially harm your health.
How to Store the Shredded Cheese?
Proud of your scrumptious cheese sandwich, but worried about keeping away the spare ingredients? Read through this section to resolve your dilemma about the available storage option for your leftover, shredded cheese. Thankfully, storing away shredded cheese is far easier than calibrating portions for a new salad fad. Some of the easy peasy steps that can be replicated to professionally store your shredded cheese are
- Transfer the crumbled pieces from their original packing to a clean container.
- While transferring, be careful to not crumble or crush the shredded pieces furthermore.
- After the complete transfer of shredded cheese, seal pack the airtight container to prevent any unintentional exposure to the outside atmosphere. This step can solely prevent the explosive growth of fungi.
- Place the airtight container back in the freezer.
- Take it out and use it whenever you want within a week.
Normally, shredded cheese is available only in the refrigerated sections of supermarkets. Yet, there are canned versions available in the casual aisles. You can aptly wonder how that cheese isn’t going bad. Though it is widely claimed that canned shredded cheese rarely goes bad, it is crucial to understand that it happens because of excessive additives.
These preservatives are added by the manufacturers to ensure an unusually long shelf life for the shredded cheese. Therefore, one can barely refer to them as ‘cheese’. These canned versions are also brimming with calories and processed fats- macronutrients that are generally found on the harmful side of the food spectrum. Go through the article on can freeze shredded cheese to study the freezing process in detail and extend its shelf life.
How to Defrost the Shredded Cheese?
Having a hard time spreading out the ice-cold crumbled pieces of cheese? It is most probably because the cheese hasn’t been allowed to defrost completely after its stay in the freezer. Defrosting any food item simply includes retrieving its original texture, profile flavor, and crumbliness. The benefits of defrosting shredded cheese involve easy spreadability and a smooth taste.
Though a bit time-consuming, the defrosting process is worth giving a shot. Follow the below-mentioned steps to defrost your shredded cheese,
- Take out the airtight container from the freezer which contains the shredded cheese.
- Wrap the cheese in parchment paper or wax paper.
- Store away the wrapped cheese crumbs overnight in your fridge for at least 10-12 hours.
- Take out the wrapped cheese the next day and use it accordingly before keeping it away in the freezer.
- If you urgently need defrosted shredded cheese, then wrap it in wax paper and place it at room temperature for at least 20-25 minutes. This can sufficiently tenderize it.
However, it is important to know that leaving shredded cheese at room temperature even for a few minutes can somewhat affect its texture and spreadability. But the eager foodies, who just cannot wait to savor the taste, should definitely try the frozen version of shredded cheese. It will taste delightfully the same except a bit firmer.
Read More:
Ingredients:
Cheese, Water, Milk Solids, Emulsifiers [331(iii), 339(iii), 452(i)], Iodised Salt, Preservatives (200, 235) and Acidity Regulator (270). (Numbers in Brackets as per International Numbering System)
Contains Milk
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 20 g (approx. 1 cube)
No. of Servings per pack: about 10
| Approx. values per 100 g | Per serve (%) RDA | |
| Energy | 310 kcal | 3 |
| Protein | 19.5 g | |
| Carbohydrate | 4.3 g | |
| of which total Sugars | 4.3 g | |
| Added Sugars | 0 g | 0 |
| Total Fat | 23.9 g | 7 |
| Saturated Fatty Acids | 14.8 g | 13 |
| Trans Fatty Acids | 0.9 g | 9 |
| Cholesterol | 65 mg | |
| Sodium | 1600 mg | 16 |
| Calcium | 401 mg | |
| Phosphorus | 512 mg | |
| Vitamin A | 250 mcg | |
Health Benefits of Shredded Cheese
Shredded cheese, being a dairy item, is rich in calcium and zinc. It contains a substantial amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Phosphorus, and many more macronutrients. Therefore, there is no reason to shy away from inculcating shredded cheese in your meals daily. Some other benefits of eating shredded cheese are
- Regulates fluctuating blood pressure.
- Improves the production of thyroxine hormones.
- Reduces the chances of cardiovascular diseases.
- Improves Gut Health and probiotic bacteria production.
- Strengthens bones and teeth.
- Reduces the inflammation in tissues.
If you wish to benefit from eating shredded cheese, there are many side dishes like egg tarts, omelets, and pancakes that can be made using cheese. Also, according to your dietary preferences, you can choose from a plethora of cheese options like feta, cheddar, mozzarella, goat cheese, etc.
FAQs on Shelf Life of Shredded Cheese
1. Why does shredded cheese last so long?
Shredded cheese lasts longer as compared to slices and large blocks of cheese. This can be attributed to starchy preservatives added to them along with the air spaces among the cheese crumbles that keep them tender for a long time.
2. Can you get food poisoning from eating expired shredded cheese?
Yes, the expired shredded cheese most probably contains unwanted pathogens, especially molds. Molds are predominantly formed of E Coli bacteria which can seriously harm our digestive systems. Therefore, it is best suited to get rid of expired cheese.
3. How long can the opened shredded cheese stay fresh in the fridge?
Depending on various external factors and inherent qualities of shredded cheese, it lasts 3-5 days in a freezer. The amount of preservatives also determines the shelf life of the shredded cheese. Whereas, the unopened cheese lasts at least a week in the fridge.
Summary
Henceforth, it can be said that using and storing shredded cheese is child’s play. As long as you are willing to understand and extend the shelf life of your cheese, you can successfully delay frequent visits to the supermarket for shredded cheese. After all, all you need are containers and a fridge. Hopefully, this article tended to all your queries about storing shredded cheese and its shelf life. Stay tuned for other updates about your treasured food items like Can Hard Cheese Go Bad and Can Feta Cheese Go Bad and a lot more.