How long does camembert last once opened? 

In this brief article, we will answer the question, “How long does camembert last once opened?” methods to store camembert cheese and detect spoilt camembert cheese.

How long does camembert last once opened?

Camembert cheese can last for 1-2 weeks. This could be the shelf-life of the cheese only if it is kept in the fridge. In the freezer, the shelf-life would extend to 3-6 months post which the quality of the cheese would start declining.

Thawed camembert cheese can last for 3-4 days in the fridge. If the cheese is unrefrigerated, it can last for 3-5 days.

What exactly is camembert cheese?

Camembert is a soft, creamy cheese that has an ivory-colored interior while the bottom of the cheese has a white color. It was originally created in Normandy, France.

For preparing this cheese, the milk is curdled. After the curdling is over, it is poured over the molds. The whey is drained and the curd is set to brine. The cheese is then kept on shelves and allowed to age. 

Ripening the cheese can take 4 weeks and would help in improving the flavor and texture of the cheese. 

How to store camembert cheese?

  • Wrap the cheese in its original cover. You can also wrap it with aluminum or plastic foil. 

Double wrapping can further help in maintaining the texture of the cheese. For this purpose, wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper and then wrap it again with plastic or aluminum foil.

  • Freezing the cheese can help in further extension of its shelf-life. Frozen choose though can break easily and lose some of its flavors. It can still be used in soups or sauces. Freeze at a temperature of 0℉.
  • If you wish to freeze a block of cheese, cut the cheese to no more than ½ a pound and wrap the cheese in aluminum or plastic foil. Place the cheese wrapped in the foil in a freezer bag and into the freezer.
  • You can also wrap cheese in specialty cheese paper. This would allow some air circulation.
  • Adding a few vinegar drops to the cheese can help protect the cheese against mold growth. Do this before storing them.
  • If the camembert cheese was defrosted in the water or microwave, use it up immediately.
  • Buying a cheese dome can also help in storing cheese effectively. The cheese dome provides the proper temperature and storage conditions for the cheese to remain. 

How to detect spoilt camembert cheese?

  • If the camembert cheese has got spoilt, it would develop a hard texture. This would especially be observed in the corners of the cheese.
  • The color of the cheese can darken if it begins to deteriorate. In that case, it is better to throw them away.
  • If there is an off odor coming off the camembert, it is time to discard them.
  • Mold is usually added to cheeses like camembert as a part of the aging process. If you discover mold growth on the cheese that was not part of the ripening process, it is better to throw them away.

Can the skin of the camembert be consumed?

Yes, you can consume the skin of the camembert. The skin is a mold named Penicillium camemberti. It provides the cheese its characteristic flavor and texture. 

There are though situations in which the cheese can be extremely aged, taste bitter, ammoniated, or give an off smell. In such situations, it is better to examine the cheese properly before you buy them.

The rind of the cheese should appear fresh and it should have a plumpy appearance too. Avoid buying the ones containing brown specks. Also, ignore buying extremely moist or slimy cheeses. Buy cheeses in a reputable shop.

Can you consume camembert past its use-by date?

Cheese is a perishable product. Also, soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert have a relatably shorter shelf-life. It is better to avoid consuming them past their use-by date.

Hard cheeses like Parmesan though can be consumed past their best before dates even if it develops mold.

Is the ammonia-like smell emanating from camembert a sign of spoilage?

No, the ammonia-like smell is not a sign of spoilage. All bloomy cheeses would develop a by-product during their production process. This ammonia-like smell is a by-product of such cheeses.

The ammonia-like smell is produced when the cultures used to develop cheese convert the protein to ammonia. Refrigeration prevents this smell from separating itself away from the cheese.

How long does camembert take to cook?

How long does cheese last in the fridge once opened?

How long does soft cheese last once opened?

Conclusion

In this brief article, we have answered the question, “How long does camembert last once opened?” methods to store camembert cheese and detect spoilt camembert cheese.

References

https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/16666
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Edam-cheese
https://www.castellocheese.com/en/cheese-types/white-mould-cheese/camembert/
https://askinglot.com/do-you-have-to-keep-camembert-in-the-fridge

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