Expiration & Storage Tips
When does provolone cheese expire?
When kept unopened, provolone cheese can last between 2 to 3 months if stored properly. Always check the expiration date on the packaging if it's store-bought. Once the cheese is opened, try to consume it within 3 weeks. Seek guidance from your nose and eyes to determine if the cheese has gone off. Frozen provolone cheese extends the evaluation timeline. Freezing cheese allows it to be stored for about 6 months. When defrosting, let it slowly come to temperature in the refrigerator to keep its texture.
How do you tell if provolone cheese is bad?
Identifying if provolone cheese has gone bad is quite straightforward. The first thing you will notice is discolouration. Good cheese has a pale-yellow shade so if it starts to turn dark or develops spots, be cautious. Additionally, the smell will change. Fresh provolone has a mild and creamy aroma. If it starts to give off a strong, sour or unpleasant smell, it's time to let it go. Lastly, any sign of mould growth on the face or edges of cheese indicates that it is unsafe for consumption. Although some cheeses have naturally occurring mould, provolone is not one of them.
Tips for storing provolone cheese to extend shelf life
• Store provolone cheese in the refrigerator at a temperature between 35 to 40°F for optimum freshness.
• Wrap the cheese in wax paper or parchment paper, then loosely in plastic wrap. The idea is to protect it from air without sealing it too tightly.
• If you have a cheese cave or a specialty cheese drawer in the refrigerator, use that. If not, the vegetable crisper can be a good substitute as it doesn't dry out the cheese.
• Considering freezing if not consuming within three weeks. You can grate it or cut it into small pieces before freezing for easier use in future.
• When using cheese after it's been frozen, favor using it in cooked dishes rather than raw applications, as freezing can sometimes alter the texture slightly.