How Long Can Parmesan Cheese Sit Out And Does It Go Bad?

Parmesan cheese is an Italian-originated granular hard cheese produced from cow’s milk and aged for 12 months. It is a great addition to sauce recipes and soups. You can also use this cheese in casseroles, pizza, cheese balls, poppers etc.

Like any other cheese you frequently deal with, the Parmesan cheese can also go bad and doesn’t sit out for longer. We do not want to let your cheese and money go in vain. If you are interested in getting along with this cheese, read this article.

How Long Can Parmesan Cheese Sit Out?

Hey cheese lovers! If you’re also always eager to try something new, do not forget to check out our 5 best cheese platters to make the most out of your Parmesan cheese. So now you are asking for how long can approximately your Parmesan cheese sit out. Alright! We shall tell you that.

Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese, and it can only be allowed to sit out for 8 hours. Therefore, storing and preserving Parmesan cheese is of utmost importance. You can store it by refrigerating it or keeping it inside the freezer and defrosting it.

What Happens if Parmesan Cheese Sits Out Too Long?

Because of its characteristic hardness, Parmesan holds a lesser moisture content compared to any soft cheese. For this reason, it is capable of retaining its quality for up to 8 hours roughly. But what happens after that sit-out time passes?

If Parmesan is left out for too long, it tends to develop molds and exhibit white crystals. These signs may also be accompanied by the development of a sour taste or off in any other way.

What Should You Do If Parmesan Cheese Is Left Out Too Long?

So your Parmesan cheese has been left out overnight for any reason, and now you’re wondering whether it has gone bad or not. There are some signs which will help you figure out whether to discard your cheese stock or not.

If you witness molds on your Parmesan cheese, nothing to worry about. Just cut out the moldy region and use it the way you want. However, if you feel the smell coming from it or the taste has been unusual, don’t risk your health and throw it right away.

How Long Can Parmesan Cheese Be In The Car For?

Parmesan cheese may be allowed to sit out for 8 hours at room temperature conditions. Now, what about the cheese stock that has been left in the car for a while?

Following health and hygiene protocols is of great significance. For this reason, take USDA guidelines to figure out whether the cheese is safe or not to be consumed. USDA states that all perishable items, including cheese left in the car, should be discarded. The car is usually hot, and such conditions are not suitable for your Parmesan cheese stock.

Does Parmesan Cheese Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?

So the question which arises now is whether you can store Parmesan cheese outside the refrigerator or not? Does it go bad if it is not kept inside your refrigerator? Let’s get that crystal clear now.

Well, it depends upon whether the cheese is packed or opened. The opened stock of Parmesan can only stay well for a few days. So in that context, you may leave it for some time, and you’ll need to refrigerate it later. However, the correct approach is always to refrigerate it.

Does Parmesan Cheese Go Bad If You Lose Power?

There are situations when you might need to face power outages. Therefore, it is equally essential to mention whether this hard cheese goes bad if you lose power. Alright, so there is a list of foods that you can consider keeping safely even if they have gotten above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

The list includes various milk products and Swiss and Parmesan cheeses. So it does not go bad if you lose power for some time. To cut off Parmesan cheese and use it the way you like, cutting it is a must.

What Temperature Is Safe For Parmesan Cheese?

Cheese goes bad if not provided with the optimum conditions. But what are the optimum conditions? What temperature is safe for it? Let’s figure that out.

The safe temperature for cheese is between 35 degrees Fahrenheit to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Under stable temperature, Parmesan can remain fresh for a whole year or even longer. Just make sure to wrap the cheese tightly after use. You can also put it in a freezer bag and seal it before refrigerating for great results.

How to store Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese is a premium quality cheese used to accompany pasta and soups, but it can also accompany some fruits and be eaten only as an aperitif. Being a cheese that is aged for so long, it acquires the property of being easily digestible. For this reason, doctors in Italy recommend its consumption to people with delicate diets such as pregnant women, the elderly, infants, and athletes. The only way to enjoy the benefits that this cheese can offer you safely is by making sure to store it properly both to preserve its quality and prevent it from spoiling. That is why it is a necessity that you know all the rules and parameters that you must follow to fulfil this purpose.

To delve into the subject, you should know that you can find Parmesan cheese in two presentations, blocks of cheese and grated cheese in the market. Both types have their storage methods that can be grouped according to their classifications:

Cheese blocks

Cheese blocks, in general, must remain in cold environments, and Parmesan cheese is no exception. Once you bring your Parmesan cheese home, you should store it in your refrigerator in an area where the temperature remains constant, so we do not recommend that you leave it on the door.

Since Parmesan cheese blocks generally come in vacuum-sealed packages, you don’t have to worry that it may be affected by contaminants or odors from other foods with which it shares space in the refrigerator.

Once you have opened the packaging, your best option is to place the Parmesan cheese in a freezer bag and remove all the air it has before storing it. You can also store your Parmesan cheese in an airtight container, but it will not be the same as the bag because it will have much more air inside.

Grated cheese

You can find grated Parmesan cheese in two options, refrigerated and at room temperature. It is always advisable to store it in the conditions you find in the store where you bought it. Once you have opened the packaging of the grated cheese, then you must refrigerate it.

If the packaging that the grated Parmesan cheese comes in prevents you from being able to reseal it, then you should store it in an airtight container or a freezer bag. It also applies to homemade grated cheese.

Can You Freeze Parmesan Cheese?

If you bought Parmesan cheese, but you don’t usually prepare recipes that often use it, you may be interested in long-term storage. If this is the case, you will be happy to know that freezing Parmesan cheese is possible, so you can count on this option to extend the time that can last in good condition.

It should be noted that cheese blocks do not usually require freezing because they have a long shelf life, and keeping them refrigerated is sufficient. The case of grated Parmesan cheese is another story, this version has a shorter shelf life, and freezing helps significantly extend how long you can use it.

How Long Does Parmesan Cheese Last

Like all hard cheeses, Parmesan cheese has a long-lasting capacity. Therefore you should not worry if it remains stored for a couple of weeks because it will be perfectly usable as long as you have followed all the instructions on storing it properly.

In general, Parmesan cheese comes with a label that recommends that it be consumed before a deadline. It is usually around ten months. Still, after that period has elapsed, it will remain safe to consume and maintain its freshness for at least six months.

The previous situation applies to blocks of cheese. In the case of grated Parmesan cheese, things are different. This presentation of Parmesan cheese does not have the same duration because most of its surface is in contact with the air, thus its general duration. At the same time, it is kept refrigerated, and this seal will be the one indicated on its packaging plus seven days. After opening the packaging, it will last about a week. If you freeze, it can last up to two months.

How to Tell If Parmesan Cheese Is Bad

Even though Parmesan cheese has a long shelf life, it can spoil. To avoid this situation, you must be careful and check it every time you plan to use it before consuming it to avoid the possibility of poisoning from eating a portion of food in poor condition.

When you check your block of Parmesan cheese to see if it is in good condition, you should be aware of the presence of mold. Luckily this situation can be solved by simply removing the affected area.

When it comes to grated Parmesan cheese, you must consider characteristics such as darkening of the color, the presence of mold, and the perception of bad odors. If your cheese has any of these characteristics, then you must proceed to discard it.

In neither of the two cases, you find signs that tell you that something is wrong, then you can consume it without worrying that it is in bad condition.

Sources

• bonappetit
• stilltasty
• canitgobad
• myrecipes