Here’s a pro tip: smell is a terrible judge of cheese safety. Many cheeses are supposed to smell like feet and dirty socks—that’s the good kind of funk. Trust your eyes and your taste buds instead. If it looks dry, cracked, or has a slimy film? That’s a no-go. If it smells like ammonia or last week’s trash? Say goodbye.
And please, never taste cheese that feels slimy, wet, or has orange, pink, or black mold. That’s not “artisanal”—that’s a trip to the bathroom you don’t want to take.
The Secret Weapon: Storage
Want your cheese to last twice as long? Stop wrapping it in cling film. Plastic suffocates cheese, making it sweat and rot faster. Instead, use wax paper or cheese paper, then loosely place it in a resealable bag. It lets the cheese breathe while blocking out the fridges’ dry air.
How Long Does Cheese Last In The Fridge Once Opened?
Also, store cheese in the warmest part of the fridge—usually a vegetable drawer or the top shelf near the door. The back of the fridge is a frozen tundra that ruins texture. Treat your cheese like a friend, not an icicle.
