Does mozzarella cheese go bad? How long it lasts, how to store, and more

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Mozzarella cheese in itself is a beauty! There is no better companion for food in the cheese family other than it. Nonetheless, due to your love for mozzarella cheese, you purchased plenty of it and are now confused about how to store it or when it goes bad.

So, to keep it fresh and not waste any, without any delay, let’s get started. Here is a guide for all the possible dos and don’ts while dealing with mozzarella cheese. We will also acquaint you with everything related to mozzarella cheese.

How long does mozzarella cheese last?

The longevity of mozzarella cheese depends on several factors, just like any other cheese. On opening a batch of fresh mozzarella cheese, it lasts up to five days, on the condition that it is kept refrigerated

Fresh mozzarella cheese is not too good with longevity. It usually starts going bad about three to four weeks from the manufacturer’s date.

Hence, this reduces the shelf life of fresh mozzarella cheese. When you choose a fresh mozzarella pack, make sure you pick the one close to the manufacturer date.

Similar is the case with shredded mozzarella cheese. It doesn’t matter what date is stamped on the back of the packet. Once the pack is open, it is best before five days. Compared to these two types of mozzarella cheese, loaf mozzarella stands out.

Unopened loaf mozzarella cheese can last for long and even past the expiry date sometimes if it is refrigerated properly. According to Strange, loaf mozzarella cheese can last up to 21 days when it is opened and kept refrigerated.

Smoked mozzarella cheese is somewhat the same. It can stay good for almost as long as 28 days if refrigerated properly.

How to tell if mozzarella cheese has gone bad?

Nobody would want to consume mozzarella cheese that has gone bad. Here are a few things that you can look for while dealing with mozzarella cheese.

Here are a few things you can look for while dealing with mozzarella cheese.

Mold:

Mozzarella cheese can develop molds fast, just like any other cheese. To avoid molding, make sure that it is immersed in liquid.

If you think that cutting out the moldy part of mozzarella cheese will make it better, no, it will not. So make sure you throw that batch of mozzarella cheese out as soon as you start seeing mold on it.

Taste:

When it comes to tasting mozzarella cheese that has gone bad, you can easily say that it tastes sour and is a lousy one. So avoid eating it any further.

A slight sourness in the mozzarella cheese will not necessarily harm your health or give you stomach cramps, but you should still avoid it. Not only because of the health concerns but also because you would not cherish the experience.

Texture:

Dryness and flakiness in mozzarella cheese is an obvious sign of mozzarella cheese gone bad. If you tried to wrap your mozzarella cheese in plastic or cling wrap, and it still dried out, then your job was not perfectly done.

Hardened mozzarella is not up to the mark regarding quality assurance. Discarding that batch is probably the best way to go with it.

What happens if you eat expired mozzarella cheese?

Expired mozzarella cheese will not do any good for you, neither taste-wise, nor health-wise. Eating anything past its date of expiration is never a good idea. It is better to use no mozzarella cheese rather than an expired one.

Keeping mozzarella cheese well refrigerated can sometimes allow you to consume it for a month past its expiration date. After the expiration date of mozzarella cheese, the chances are that it will not go bad soon after.

Nonetheless, as compared to a batch of mozzarella cheese that is still not expired, it might taste a bit off.

Food poisoning is a significant risk associated with eating moldy mozzarella cheese. According to an article, even sniffing around moldy cheese can be harmful.

Even if you see a tiny patch of mold growing on your mozzarella cheese, throw it right away. Symptoms of food poisoning may include fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Until you want to witness these symptoms, it is better to avoid eating expired mozzarella cheese.

Can you freeze mozzarella cheese?

Of course, you can say that freezing mozzarella cheese is safe. When it is shredded or comes in blocks, it is good to store it in a freezer. Although, after freezing, mozzarella cheese tends to have a slightly crumbly texture.

According to an article, freezing fresh mozzarella cheese is not recommended due to its high water content. The fresh mozzarella cheese might start getting crystallized upon freezing.

Store-bought shredded mozzarella:

Due to the presence of preservatives in store-bought shredded mozzarella cheese, it becomes safer to freeze. The preservatives present in store-bought shredded mozzarella will help keep the cheese fresh.

Since preservatives and freezing increase the longevity of store-bought shredded mozzarella, it has a long shelf life. So there is nothing to be worried about when it comes to storing this type of cheese.

Mozzarella cheese blocks:

Mozzarella cheese blocks often come with a lasting shelf-life. It is not at all an issue if you are unable to finish that block of mozzarella cheese before the ‘best-by’ date.

The best part is that freezing mozzarella cheese blocks take only a couple of minutes, and they freeze pretty well.

The only problematic thing about this is that mozzarella cheese blocks tend to get crumbly upon thawing (bringing icy solids back to life by warming up). So if you know that you might need to slice it afterward, it is better to do it before putting it into the freezer.

Types of mozzarella cheese	Can/Should be frozen or not
Store-bought shredded mozzarella	Can be frozen
Mozzarella cheese blocks	Can be frozen
Fresh mozzarella cheese balls	Should not be frozen

What is the best way to store mozzarella cheese?

Room temperature:

Talking about fresh mozzarella cheese, it tastes best when served at room temperature. This is why purchasing only the required amount of fresh mozzarella cheese is recommended.

Always check the packaging date before buying fresh mozzarella cheese, and get closer to the date. The ideal preference for eating fresh mozzarella should be by the same day.

Vacuum packing:

Usually, mozzarella cheese comes in a vacuum packing and is filled with liquid. If your mozzarella cheese doesn’t come immersed in a tub of liquid, it is better to do it yourself by putting it into freshwater to increase its longevity.

After storing mozzarella cheese in freshwater, it is recommended to refrigerate it and change the water daily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q. Why does mozzarella cheese become rubbery?

The answer to this question is simple. Mozzarella cheese can become rubbery when excess rennet is used in it. Rennets are complex animal enzymes used for separation in the cheese production process. Using a little less rennet in your cheese will keep it from becoming rubbery.

Q. What can be used in place of animal rennet for mozzarella cheese?

Plant rennets can be used in place of animal rennets for mozzarella cheese production. There are enzymes present in many plants which cause milk to thicken. According to research, the two famous plants that have been identified for the same purpose are

The Thistle (Cynara Cardunculus)
The Fig (Ficus Carica)

The bottom line-

Whether shredded, a block, or fresh, it doesn’t matter which type of mozzarella cheese you prefer. It’s somewhat the tastiest option. It has a long shelf life and can be consumed on its own.

The best part is that now you know how to store it properly and tell if it has gone bad or not! So grab your batch of mozzarella cheese soon! The best part is that it doesn’t go bad more quickly!

If you found this information helpful, let us know in the comment section below.