How Long Can Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Be Unrefrigerated
Originating from the farms of Italy, Mozzarella is among the most popular cheeses in the world.
As a matter of fact, mozzarella is actually America's favorite cheese.
An average American consumes about 11.5 pounds of mozzarella cheese every year.
Mozzarella cheese is traditionally made from the milk of a water buffalo.
But most mozzarella cheeses are now made from cow's milk and are almost similar to cream cheese in terms of consistency and taste.
You will find several types of Mozzarella cheeses in the market, and they are mostly used in pizzas and other pasta dishes.
Mozzarella cheese can also be used for making string cheese, which is a favorite in many households.
If you are one of those people who loves mozzarella cheese and usually stocks them up, you might be wondering, "how long does mozzarella cheese last?"
Well, we're here to answer just that! Read on to find out.
How Long Does Mozzarella Cheese Last? Does Mozzarella Cheese Go Bad?
Mozzarella cheese actually comes with a ton of benefits. They are a good source of Biotin and Ribbon. It is even good for your bones as well.
However, a bad mozzarella cheese can be quite harmful and have several implications for your health.
Some of the bacteria found on bad cheese are dangerous for infants, old people, and pregnant women.
Mozzarella, like every other food and dairy products, go bad after some time.
Being a soft cheese, Mozzarella doesn't last as long as other hard cheese.
However, the shelf life of a mozzarella cheese can vary depending on many factors.
Normally, a fresh unopened and refrigerated mozzarella cheese will last for about four to six weeks.
If you've opened it, the mozzarella cheese should be refrigerated, and it shall last for a week.
It might not go bad right after, but it definitely won't have the same taste. You will still be able to eat for about a month if you keep it well refrigerated.
However, if you want to extend the shelf life of mozzarella cheese, you can follow some measures.
The best way to extend the shelf life of mozzarella cheese is to freeze it.
If you do freeze it, make sure to keep it out for about one to two hours before eating it.
If you eat it directly out of the freezer, then it won't have that original texture and flavor.
An unopened frozen mozzarella will even last up to six months after the use-by date.
But that depends on the freezer temperature. However, the minimum would still be between two to four months.
If you've frozen it after it's opened, then it would still last beyond three months.
But make sure to freeze it within a week or two to get the maximum days out of it.
Here's another tip to prolong the life of mozzarella cheese – remove the cheese from its package that's filled with its liquid solution.
And then cover the cheese with a plastic wrap and either refrigerate or freeze it.
This will increase the overall longevity of the cheese by a considerable amount.
How to Tell if Mozzarella Cheese is Bad? Mozzarella Cheese Shelf Life!
The most obvious sign of a Mozzarella Cheese that has gone bad is mold. Molds on Mozzarella cheese are easy to spot.
So if your cheese ever goes bad, it won't be hard for you to notice it and throw them out.
However, there are also other ways that you can recognize a bad Mozzarella cheese.
If you think your cheese has gone bad, you can try smelling it. If the smell seems off, it's time to discard it.
Even though most cheeses have a strong smell, Mozzarella normally has a light aroma.
So a mozzarella with a sour smell is an obvious sign that your cheese has gone bad.
If you do not smell anything off with your mozzarella, you might want to try tasting it.
Putting a small amount of bad mozzarella will likely not have any impact on your health.
A bad mozzarella will obviously have a bad taste to it. If it tastes fine, then it's safe to eat.
Keep in mind that Mozzarella cheese can still be harmful even if you trim off the mold.
Based on a study conducted by Clemson University Extension, bacteria can possibly enter beneath the surfaces of soft and semi-soft cheeses like brie cheese, blue cheese, and goat cheese.
Also, sniffing moldy cheese can be quite harmful.
If you inhale the spores, it can inflame your airways and cause chest tightening, wheezing, and nasal congestion, among several other implications.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks. Having a rough idea about the shelf life of mozzarella can save you and your family from a lot of headaches.
Consuming a bad mozzarella cheese is never a good idea. So it is important to always be mindful and avoid eating bad cheese at all costs.
By knowing the proper shelf life, you can estimate how long your cheese will last and consequently throw it out when it's time.
Also, the way you store your cheese can help you decide how long your cheese last.
Follow the proper tips, and your cheese will even last for months.
How Long Can Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Be Unrefrigerated
Source: https://eatdelights.com/mozzarella-cheese-expire/