Is unwrapped refrigerated cheese safe?
Is unwrapped, refrigerated cheese safe?
I usually have Australian or New Zealand cheddar cheese or similar cheese in my refrigerator. Recently I've been discarding the original wrapping which usually is not resealable and also not bothering with "cling wrap". I simply put it on a laminated disposable paper dish and refrigerate. Is this practice safe? A 250 gram block is usually consumed within 5 days if not much sooner.
Best Answer
It is almost certainly safe unless it was left out at warm temperatures to spoil, or has molded, or otherwise spoiled in a manner not directly related to being uncovered.
It may, however, be unpalatable due to:
- Drying out
- Picking up flavors or odors from other items in the refrigerator
Since you are eating it relatively quickly, if you are not experiencing these issues, your practice should be just fine.
My own personal preferred method is to put my cheese chunks in a zip lock type bag, which substantially cuts down on the drying, especially for moister cheeses like mozzarella or semi-firm cheddar.
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Quick Answer about "Is unwrapped refrigerated cheese safe?"
It is almost certainly safe unless it was left out at warm temperatures to spoil, or has molded, or otherwise spoiled in a manner not directly related to being uncovered. It may, however, be unpalatable due to: Drying out. Picking up flavors or odors from other items in the refrigerator.How long can unwrapped cheese last in the fridge?
Once opened, hard cheese is generally safe to eat for six weeks. Gruyere, gouda and other cheese which aren't entirely hard or soft can meanwhile be stored in a fridge for two to three weeks after they are opened, or two months in the freezer if the packet is untouched.Does cheese need to be stored in an airtight container?
"What works best is to wrap it in some kind of porous material," says Johnson. "Cheese is a living thing, so you have to wrap it in something that is breathable." Plus, plastic wrap can give the cheese a plastic-y flavor.How long is unwrapped cheese good for?
When stored properly in the fridge, an unopened package can last between two and four months. An opened package of Parmesan or block of cheddar, however, is good for about six weeks in the fridge.Do you need to wrap cheese in the fridge?
Add another layer of protection: A loose layer of plastic wrap or even a plastic bag will help keep fridge odors from seeping into your cheese. Put it in the fridge: Keep your cheese in the warmest part of the refrigerator, like in your cheese or vegetable drawer.You've Been Storing Cheese Wrong Your Entire Life
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Answer 2
I know you've already accepted an answer, but this piece of information is missing: cheese, kept unwrapped (or uncontained inside something) in a refrigerator, easily picks up bacteria from other foods, particularly meats, raw or cooked, and from the fridge itself. Which is why it should be, preferably, loosely wrapped in cheese paper, baking parchment or greaseproof paper as a minimum safety standard.
What I'm saying can be backed up here: British Cheese FAQ, North Dakota University (go to page 14), WikiHow on Food Selection and Storage. I could go on, but really, I can't think why I should, it ain't difficult to find this info. Course, if you want to store cheese badly, don't matter to me, I ain't eating it anyway.
Answer 3
It is safe. In fact, my father only eats Gouda when it's old and hard. After my mother ate the fresh cheese, it would lie unwrapped in the fridge for 2 or 3 weeks until it was hard enough for my father to enjoy it.
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