Cheese is a beloved food item that offers a wide range of flavors and textures, making it versatile for use in recipes or as a standalone snack with crackers or bread.
Proper storage of cheese is crucial as it is a dairy-based item and can spoil like any other perishable food product.
Suppose you leave leftover cheese on your counter or table after a party or gathering; in that case, do you need to discard it, or is it still safe to eat the next day?
When it comes to cheese, it is important to follow the same guidelines as other perishable foods and avoid leaving it out at room temperature for more than two hours. Nevertheless, there are exceptions to this rule due to the variety of cheese types available. Hard cheeses are less susceptible to bacterial growth, which means that leaving them out overnight does not pose a significant risk.
If you find the information confusing, there’s no need to fret as we will provide you with all the necessary details on how to properly store various types of cheese.
Additionally, I will discuss ways to identify if your cheese has gone bad to avoid any potential cases of food poisoning.
What Can Happen If You Eat Cheese Left Out Overnight?
Hard cheesesleft out overnight are typically safe to consume, even if they have been at room temperature for an extended period.
Cheeses made from pasteurized milk and with a dry texture are typically not very appealing to bacteria.
Cheeses that have higher moisture content, such as soft and fresh varieties, are more susceptible to the growth of bacteria and will also experience a faster decline in quality.
Assuming there are no apparent indications of decay and the scent of the soft cheese you left out hasn’t changed, consuming it is likely safe.
Nonetheless, it is advisable to store and refrigerate any remaining cheese appropriately before sleeping to avoid the possibility of experiencing nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and headaches in case you consume it.
How Can You Tell If Cheese Has Gone Bad?
Changes in appearance and smell, as well as the presence of visible mold, can serve as indicators that cheese has gone bad.
Hard cheeses are the most noticeable when it comes to changes in their appearance. They tend to darken, dry out, or form visible mold patches.
It is simple to detect changes in fresh cheeses such as mozzarella and ricotta. If they emit a sour or acrid odor, it is probable that they are no longer suitable for consumption.
If you observe even a small amount of mold growing on cheeses that are prone to it, the cheese has probably spoiled because mold spreads rapidly on such cheeses.
It can be more challenging to determine if soft, ripened cheeses such as brie and blue cheese have spoiled.
When it comes to identifying the intentional mold in cheeses, you should have no problem. However, any other mold that appears with different colors or textures such as pink, grey, or fuzzy white spots can be regarded as indications of spoilage.
Cheeses that have molds, such as brie and camembert, will become visibly dehydrated and their surfaces may darken or turn more yellow.
How Does Cheese Go Bad?
Given the vast variety of cheese available, there are numerous approaches to addressing this inquiry.
Hard cheese is susceptible to spoilage due to dehydration. Cheddar, Gouda, Swiss, Parmesan, and other aged hard cheeses can be consumed without any harm even if left out overnight.
Nevertheless, if the cheese has been left out in the open air, without any wrapping or cover on a plate, it will have lost its moisture and texture, resulting in an unappetizing taste.
If you have leftover hard cheeses, it is advisable to cover them with a lid or plate before going to bed to preserve their freshness until the following day.
Hard and semi-hard cheeses have the potential to spoil if they are not used promptly and left in the refrigerator or at room temperature, which can result in noticeable mold growth and a recognizable smell.
If your block of hard cheese has mold on one part, you can simply remove the affected area and use the rest of the cheese in a cooked dish.
If you come across mold growth on fresh cheese such as ricotta or mozzarella, or shredded cheese, it is advisable to discard all of the affected cheese since mold tends to spread faster in these varieties.
How Should the Different Types of Cheese Be Stored?
If a cheese is hard or semi-hard and maintains its shape, it can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or placed in a plastic bag.
When using plastic to wrap a block or wedge of cheese, it is important to ensure that there are no gaps allowing air to enter, as this can cause the cheese to become dry.
It is possible to store shredded or grated cheeses in an airtight jar or plastic container.
It is possible to store soft cheeses in containers with tightly sealed lids made of glass or plastic.
If you have packaged cheese such as mozzarella or feta that is stored in water, it is recommended to keep it in a container made of glass or plastic and replace the water every few days.
All cheeses need to be stored in the refrigerator. Before consuming or serving, all types of cheese (except for fresh ones) can be removed from the fridge an hour prior to soften.
As a result of being left out overnight, hard cheeses such as cheddar and parmesan become more manageable to cut or grate, while softer cheeses like brie and camembert turn creamier and more spreadable.
Fresh cheese such as mozzarella or cottage cheese ought to be refrigerated until it is needed for a recipe or served cold.
How Long Can Cheese Be Stored?
Assuming they are stored in appropriate containers or packaging, hard cheeses such as Swiss and American cheese can typically remain edible for up to four weeks.
Soft, aged cheeses such as Brie have a shelf life of one to three weeks.
Typically, refrigerated fresh cheeses can last for approximately 10 to 14 days.
Parmesan can be stored in your fridge for up to 3 months due to its extended aging process and higher salt content, making it an ideal cheese to enhance the flavor of any dish.
Can Unopened Cheese Be Left at Room Temperature?
When you serve cheese at a party or gathering, there is no need to be concerned about it spoiling while your guests are still consuming it.
Typically, cheese can be left out for 4-8 hours (depending on the variety) without posing any health risks, making it possible to enjoy a cheese board throughout an entire party.
If you observe a change in the texture of cheese left out, and it starts to become hard, it would be advisable to store it in an airtight container and move it to the refrigerator for extending its lifespan.
You can also check this video about “Can You Eat Cheese Left Out Overnight?”
