How To Tell If Goat Cheese Has Gone Bad
Good old goat cheese pairs so well with a nice glass of wine and some really good crackers. Goat cheese is a little funkier than say, cheddar cheese.
The best way to tell if goat cheese has gone bad is by the way it looks. If the cheese is moldy and looks like it is slimy then this is a good indication that the goat cheese is bad and you should not eat it. The second best way is to smell it.
Best way to tell if Goat Cheese is spoiled
There a few different ways to tell if the goat cheese is off. I use these three different ways to check goat cheese before I use it. You can go ahead and taste the cheese but you might not like what you taste.
A safer way is to follow these simple steps.
1. How the goat cheese smells
If you have never had goat cheese or have never smelled it you might be a little surprised.
When it comes to smell it should smell almost like a grassy farm-type smell. I know that might sound weird but goat cheese typically has more of an earthy smell.
Goat cheese is a bit funky compared to mozzarella, feta, cheddar, and brie cheeses.
If it smells moldy or musty then it could be at the stage that you do not want to eat it.
2. How the goat cheese looks
Now, cheese is known to grow mold. Does this mean that you should eat goat cheese that has mold on it? I say no… how do you know what type of mold is on it?
The best practice is if you see mold then it is a good idea to toss it. It is not worth the risk to eat cheese with mold on it.
If the cheese also looks slimy or has been left out for a long time then it is a good idea to pass on it so you don’t get a foodborne illness from it eating it.
If you grate your cheese I have some tips on how to grate cheese without a grater.
Blue cheese is similar to goat cheese and can be difficult to tell if it has spoiled or not. Check out my post that will tell you how to tell if blue cheese is bad.
How long does open goat cheese last?
It is common for goat cheese when it is stored properly in an airtight container to last 2-3 weeks. After you open the seal on the goat cheese the clock starts clicking.
If you follow the steps above you will have a really good idea of what has gone by.
How to store your goat cheese
When it comes to storing your goat cheese you want it to be refrigerated. Goat cheese should stay cool and sealed in the container it came in or another tightly sealed container.
Because it is a soft cheese like cream cheese, cottage cheese, and cheddar cheese, it is best practice to keep the cheese refrigerated.
The idea is to keep bacteria and mold growing on your cheese.
