How Long Does Brie Cheese Last? Did you know that the sell by date is more of a suggestion rather than an expiration date where the cheese has gone bad? What’s more is that when the cheese hits the supermarket shelves there is still at least two or three weeks to go before the Brie has reached its flavorful peak in the aging process for the most flavor and texture. This can be confusing, so let’s explore the shelf life of brie cheese further.
Brie cheese can be a cheese lovers dream. The creamy cheese with a mild flavor is a scrumptious appetizer when served warmed with fruit and a variety of crackers and pieces of bread. For best quality, consume the cheese within a few weeks of bringing it home from the store.
Can You Eat Brie After the Sell by Date?
Yes. Since the brie has 2 to 3 weeks before it has reached the full aging process when it enters the supermarkets, the sell by date is a rather loose term. However, brie is a very soft type of cheese, and it has a very short shelf life. Therefore, a good rule of thumb is to refrigerate the unopened cheeses in its original package and for up to 2 weeks after the sell by date.
What is Brie Cheese?
Brie cheese is an off-white, soft-ripened cheese that has a buttery flavor with a creamy texture. This mild flavored cheese is most often made from cow’s milk; however, sometimes goats’ milk is used. It can be enjoyed on its own or added to various dishes. It is an easy appetizer anytime of the year.
How to Tell if Brie Cheese is Fresh?
The brie is sold in a round disc, and it should feel plump in the container. Visually inspect the cheese by checking for any signs of slimy appearance or darker spots that could be light brown to dark brown in color. The rind itself should look white.
How can you tell if cheese is spoiled?
The most common trait of bad soft cheese is the growth of blue or green mold. While this color mold can be cut off semihard and hard cheeses, if it is seen in Brie, then the cheese should not be consumed.
Smell for any strong odor of ammonia that does not go away once the cheese is out of the package is an indication of spoilage. Do not eat this cheese. While a slight smell could be a normal sign of airtight packaging, it should dissipate after a few minutes after opening.
Storage of Cheese
It is best to keep the brie in its original packaging in the cold temperatures of the refrigerator until you are ready to consume it. After opening the package, wrap the cheese in the original wrapping or wax paper. Next, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to two weeks.
Can you Freeze Cheese?
The short answer, Yes, but the texture will change. For optimal enjoyment it should stay out of the freezer because it is a soft cheese. However, this cheese like any other can be safely frozen for up to three months. Just wrap any wedges in plastic wrap and foil making sure all edges are covered, or a freezer plastic bag, or other airtight container. The high moisture content of the cheese will cause the texture to change upon thawing.
When serving, allow to defrost overnight in the refrigerator and come to room temperature before eating or using in a cooked recipe.
Pro Tip. If you find that the consistency is not as creamy after thawing, no worries, just use it in a cooked recipe. One idea is to bake the brie until warm and gooey, then pair with a fruit spread and serve this as an appetizer with specialty crackers.
Serving Ideas for Brie Cheese
For the best flavor in this cheese or any for that matter, allow the cheese to come to room temperature before eating it. For soft cheeses, it is even better if it is baked into melty gooeyness.
Charcuterie Board
At our house, we always have cheese on our charcuterie boards. Brie is delicious when served with fruit spreads, and baguette slices or crackers.
Add Cheese to Cooked Recipes.
This cheese melts nicely and the buttery flavor adds an extra layer of richness to the dishes. So, the next time you are making a cheesy casserole, grilled cheese sandwich, panini, or pizza, add a few slices of Brie cheese.
Can You Eat the Rind?
Yes, you can. It is an essential part of the cheese. The rind of the brie is soft and has a powdery white color, which is from the mold growth. The mold itself is edible and is often considered a luxury. Generally, it is safe to eat unless you are allergic to mold.
Often, when a hard cheese or a semi-soft cheese such as cheddar, Colby, or parmesan gets a mold layer on the outside, it will not penetrate into the cheese. The moldy part can be cut off and you can eat the cheese. However, a soft cheese such as Brie and Camembert uses the mold to make the soft cheese; therefore, it is most often safe to eat.
The rind is soft just like the inside cheese, yet it has a sweeter taste that pairs well with the buttery and creamy inside. Most often the rinds of soft cheeses like Brie and Blue Cheese are safe to eat.
Can cheese make you sick?
Yes, since cheese uses mold to help it age. There is a chance that the molds could carry harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Brucella. All these bacteria can cause food poisoning. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of food poisoning, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. It is a good idea to make sure that you check inspect your cheese for signs of freshness.
Is Brie supposed to have white fuzz?
The rind should have a white fuzzy look to it. It is a specific species of mold. This is the white mold called Penicillium Candidum that gives the Brie its distinctive taste. Cheesemakers pat down the edible mold blooms on the outside of the wheels of cheese throughout the aging process.
Convenient Pre-Cut Wedges of Brie
A pre-cut wedge of Brie cheese is a great option if you enjoy eating this cheese often. Perfect option if you do not consume enough in one sitting to use it all up. You can wrap the cheese in parchment paper, waxed paper, plastic wrap, and refrigerate to keep it fresh for a few weeks. However, it is is easier to grab a wedge.
How can you tell if brie cheese is spoiled?
Kitchen Essentials
Materials
- Brie Cheese
- Soft Cheese
Instructions
- The most common trait of bad soft cheese is the growth of blue or green mold.
- While this color mold can be cut off semihard and hard cheeses, if it is seen in Brie, then the cheese should not be consumed.
- Smell for any strong odor of ammonia that does not go away once the cheese is out of the package is an indication of spoilage. Do not eat this cheese.
- While a slight smell could be a normal sign of airtight packaging, it should dissipate after a few minutes after opening.
