2023-08-08 13:04:05
Generally, grated cheese can be stored for 3 to 4 weeks following opening.
Can we eat grated cheese whose date has passed?
Most of the time, the indications provided by manufacturers are purely… indicative. The Date of Minimum Durability (MDD) indicates a date on which the product loses its taste or nutritional qualities but is not not dangerous for health. We can therefore refrain from taking it into account and save the cheese from the trash even if it is exceeded. On the other hand, the Use By Date (DLC) corresponds to the date following which the consumption of a product becomes dangerous to health.
For cheese, it is estimated that it can be consumed without health risks up to two weeks following the DLC. The ultimate proof? Grated cheese is one of the hundreds of fresh products with a differentiated use-by date in mainland France and in the overseas departments, “such a sachet of grated cheese” a “a 40-day DLC” in metropolitan France and “180 days overseas“, argued Victorin Lurel, then Minister of Overseas, relayed by Europe 1.
- If the cheese is open and the DLC has passed for more than 15 days, it is better not to take any risks.
- If the cheese is not opened, even if the DLC is exceeded, there is no point in putting it in the trash.
Of course, we use common sense: if we see moldif you smell musty, if the grated cheese has a pungent taste… you should refrain from consuming grated cheese even if the use by date has not been exceeded.
Can you eat grated cheese if there are traces of mold?
We have all experienced it before. When sprinkling the pasta with gruyere cheese orgrated cheese, we see that small blue clusters have formed: it’s mould. No precautionary principle, it is recommended to avoid consuming the cheese if it shows signs of mould. Indeed if, with a piece of cheese it is enough to cut and throw away the moldy part (by taking the margin), with the grated cheese in a bag it is a little different. In effect, mold spreads easily inside the bag of grated cheese and, as they are not necessarily always blue and visible, you risk eating them without even noticing!
The risk ? Food poisoning! If it is normal for certain cheeses to show mold when desired and controlled by the cheese maker (in Roquefort, blue cheese, fourme, etc.) if bluish mold appears on a cheese without them being welcome, this is a sign that new fungi are growing there. Fungi that can generate toxins harmful to human health…
The ultimate enemy of grated cheese ? The humidity! To deal with it, there are very simple tips that deserve to be adopted:
- Remember to close the container in which the grated cheese has been placed in order to avoid snagging them in the open air.
- Avoid storing the bag of Gruyère at the back of the fridge, out of sight, because you risk forgetting it and letting it spoil.
It is quite possible to store grated cheese in the freezer. For this, it is better to freeze in portions because defrosting can be dangerous. Ideally, grated cheese should not be stored in the freezer for more than 6 months.
Once the bag is opened, 2 grandmother’s tips can help make the grated cheese last longer:
- Put a piece of bread in the bag of grated cheese
This is one of the most common tricks: the bread will absorb moisture and preserve the cheese. For the trick to work, care must be taken to replace stale bread as soon as it is waterlogged, ie approximately every 2 days.
- Put a lump of sugar in your cheese
For this to work, you must first transfer the grated cheese to an airtight box that goes in the fridge. Then, wrap 3/4 of the sugar cube in food paper and place it in the box before putting it in the fridge. The sugar will absorb the moisture and preserve the grated cheese.
Read also:
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What to do with leftover cheese?
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Which cheese is the least calorie and the best for health?
[Dossier] Everything you need to know regarding cheese – 21 articles to consult
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