What is the sign of mozzarella being old?
Short of looking at the "best before" date on the package - how can I tell if my mozzarella is ok to eat? Would it smell bad, or can it be "dangerous" anyway?
Best Answer
Mozzarella comes in different variations... There are a few things to look and smell for to determine it they are "off". Aged or drier varieties may have visible mold on the exterior. Pre-grated mozzarella can also exhibit visible mold as well as a sour or yeasty smell. Brined varieties may have a musty, sour, or smelly-foot odor or an excessively cloudy brine.
If you see visible mold on a drier variety, you can just cut it off and use the remaining cheese as normal as long as it doesn't smell. If you plan on cooking or melting the cheese, it would likely be safe to eat, but may not taste normal.
Moist cheeses like mozzarella can harbor Listeria, E coli, brucella, and salmonella so if you are in doubt and not interested in a bout of food poisoning, it's best just to throw it out.
To keep brined varieties fresh longer keep it refrigerated and replace the brine daily, the replacement brine should taste salty like the ocean. Even so, it should really be eaten within 2-3 days.
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How do I know if my mozzarella is bad?
How To Tell If Fresh Mozzarella Is Bad?What happens if you eat expired mozzarella?
So long as you still like the taste, the cheese is fine. Just be aware that the flavor will intensify on most cheeses over time. If the small bite of cheese makes your tongue, lips or cheek tingle or burn, the cheese is bad (even if it passed the look and smell tests).Can you eat old mozzarella?
It's moldy, or there are some discolorations on the surface.Cutting out the spoiled area and eating the rest isn't safe \u2013 get rid of the whole thing immediately.Does mozzarella expire?
"Generally, vacuum-sealed containers of unopened, refrigerated fresh mozzarella will last up to four to six weeks from the date of manufacture, assuming that it's salted."What happens if you eat expired mozzarella cheese?
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