Expiration & Storage Tips
When does smoked gouda cheese expire?
When purchased packaged and unopened, smoked Gouda cheese can last up to 2-3 months beyond its "Sell by" date when stored in the fridge. Once opened, the cheese should ideally be consumed within 2-3 weeks. However, if you choose to freeze it, which is quite common for hard and semi-hard cheeses, the cheese will be okay to eat for up to 6-8 months.
How do you tell if smoked gouda cheese is bad?
Recognizing if smoked Gouda has gone bad isn't a complicated task. A primary sign the cheese is past its prime is visible mould, aside from the edible kind that could be a part of certain cheeses. Note that mould can penetrate beneath the surface, hence, it's not advisable to simply cut away the mouldy part. In addition, if the cheese has gone dry, hard, or soggy, or if there's an off-smell— all these are indicative of the cheese having spoiled.
Tips for storing smoked gouda cheese to extend shelf life
• Always re-wrap the cheese after opening it, ideally in parchment paper, to let it 'breathe'
• While storing it in the fridge, place the cheese in the crisper drawer for optimal humidity
• To freeze, portion the cheese, wrap them securely in plastic wrap followed by two layers of aluminum foil
• When ready to use, allow the frozen cheese to thaw slowly in the fridge over 24 hours before using it
• For semi-hard cheeses like Smoked Gouda, it may lose some texture upon thawing, so better to use it in melted cheese dishes
• Reduce the chance of mould growing by washing your hands before handling cheese and always use clean utensils