If you have bought some deli cheese, you may be wondering how long is deli cheese good for. This is a commonly asked question, as many people enjoy buying deli cheese but do you not know how long it will last?
It can be difficult to know the lifespan of different types of cheese as there are so many different varieties. With each variety usually lasts a different time in the fridge once you have bought it.
Like any food, it is important to make sure that you are not eating deli cheese that has spoiled. Or storing it in an incorrect way that will result in it going bad faster than it should.
Keep reading to find out how long is deli cheese good for and how to know if your deli cheese has gone bad.
Deli Cheese Can Last 2 to 4 Weeks
If you enjoy eating deli cheese, you may be wondering how long is deli cheese good for once you have bought it. The good news is that a deli cheese can actually last quite a long time, often lasting for 2 to 4 weeks in the fridge.
Deli cheese is unique as it is not traditional cheese in the way that you might think. Deli cheese is made from traditional cheese, but it is then blended with additional ingredients to make it easily meltable.
This process creates a sliceable cheese that looks and tastes like real cheese but melts much more conveniently. So you can add it to your sandwiches without it becoming greasy and stringy like normal cheese.
It also has a good reputation for lasting a long time after you have bought it as long as it is stored properly. So you will need to make sure that you keep your sliced deli cheese in the refrigerator at all times.
You will also want to make sure that it is completely covered so that it is not exposed to the air or bacteria. Doing these things will help your deli cheese to last longer so that you can enjoy it over the course of several weeks.
The Sell-by-Date Isn’t Always Correct for Deli Cheese
Something to keep in mind if you find yourself frequently buying deli cheese is that the sell-by-date isn’t always correct. For the most part, this date is correct, as the product should be sold by that specific date.
But this date does not indicate when your deli cheese will or will not go bad. This just means that the cheese needs to be sold to a customer before that date has passed in order for it to still be fresh.
As long as you have been storing your deli cheese correctly and keeping it nice and cold, it should be able to last much longer than this date. This rule applies to a lot of different kinds of food as most foods have a longer lifespan than the date on the package.
Deli Cheese Can Also be Frozen
Something that many people may not realize is that deli cheese can also be frozen to prolong its lifespan. This is a great option if you have bought deli cheese and are unable to finish it before it goes bad.
Deli cheese can be wrapped up and frozen in the freezer until you are ready to use it. This literally freezes time for this cheese and allows it to stay preserved until you are ready to enjoy it.
This is also a great option if deli cheese is on sale and you know that you will enjoy it later on. As people who frequently use deli cheese will find this tip useful if they want to make sure they always have it on hand.
How to Know If Deli Cheese Has Gone Bad?
Now that you know how long deli cheese will last for, it is important to also know how to tell if it has gone bad. Do you want to be able to spot the signs that your deli cheese has gone bad so that you do not accidentally eat it.
The good thing is that it is quite easy to spot the signs that cheese has gone bad, no matter what kind of cheese it is. This is usually quite easy to do so that you do not accidentally end up eating cheese that has gotten old and spoiled.
Bad Smell
Deli cheese that is no longer good is going to usually have a bad smell that is not like the normal smell of deli cheese. Deli cheese typically has a smooth and slightly sweet smell that is unlike the majority of cheeses.
If it has gone bad, this scent will often change to something funkier that may smell sour or even like mold. If your jelly cheese changes and how it smells in any way, it is best to throw it out and buy fresh cheese instead.
Color Change
Deli cheese is typically going to be a bright or pale orange or a creamy white, depending on the type that you get. If the cheese starts to darken and color or takes on a brown, yellow, or green color, you should not eat it.
Deli cheese that is still fresh and good to eat will not change in appearance, and it certainly will not change in color.
Mold Growth
Any kind of growth on your jelly cheese is a clear sign that it has gone bad and should not be eaten. This will often take the form of mold growing on the cheese that is gray, blue, or green in color.
Any sign of growth should be taken seriously, and you should throw away that cheese.