Gorgonzola contains an edible mold that gives it a rather acrid taste and fragrance. Not everyone likes it, but it's perfectly safe to eat. Just like any other cheese, gorgonzola can go bad. Being able to tell good from bad cheese is a key part of enjoying it safely.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Examine the Gorgonzola
Step 1. Smell it
The best way to know if it's gone bad is to rely on your sense of smell. When fresh, gorgonzola has a strong smell, but it changes as soon as it begins to deteriorate. Smell it, if you perceive an ammonia-like odor, it most likely means that you need to throw it away.
The advice is to smell the gorgonzola immediately after buying it. This way you will learn what the smell should be like when it is fresh and you will be able to notice when it starts to change
Step 2. Look at the colors
Fresh gorgonzola has already moldy parts, generally blue or greenish in color. However, what you need to do is pay attention to the creamy part of the cheese. It is usually white, cream or pale yellow in color. If you notice some pink, brown, blue, or green undertones, it is very likely that it has gone bad.
- As previously suggested for the scent, stop and observe the color of the fresh gorgonzola just bought so that it is easier to notice the changes if it begins to deteriorate.
- In addition to analyzing the colors, observe the surface of the cheese to notice any slimy or affected parts by the presence of a light fluff. Throw it away if you notice any changes in its texture.
Step 3. Taste it
If the cheese still smells the same and the color hasn't changed yet, you can tell if it's still good by tasting it. When fresh, the gorgonzola is strong and pungent, but when it goes bad it tends to take on an excessively penetrating taste. If tasting a piece of it tastes too strong to be appreciated, you should throw it away.
In most cases, eating a bite of gorgonzola that has gone bad will not expose you to any risk, so tasting it is not dangerous
Part 2 of 3: Meet the Expiry Date
Step 1. If the gorgonzola has been out of the refrigerator for two days, throw it away
To keep it fresh and good, you need to keep it cool, otherwise it deteriorates quickly. In most cases, it will only take a few days for it to go bad. If you have forgotten it outside for at least two days, better throw it away.
Step 2. After 3 or 4 weeks, throw away the gorgonzola you have stored in the refrigerator
Kept in the cold, it can last quite a long time. Check the expiration date on the package - often the cheese is still good even for the next 7-14 days. It therefore means that in the fridge it lasts for at least three weeks.
To keep the gorgonzola fresh as long as possible, make sure the refrigerator temperature does not exceed 4.5 ° C
Step 3. Throw the frozen cheese away for over six months
If you keep it in the freezer at -18 ° C, it can last indefinitely; this means that if you have any leftover and do not intend to consume it within the next 3-4 weeks you can freeze the cheese to prevent it from spoiling. However, to maintain its taste and texture, you shouldn't keep it in the freezer for more than six months.
Remember that the flavor and texture of gorgonzola may be slightly altered once thawed. It loses some of its flavor and usually tends to crumble more easily
Part 3 of 3: Storing the Gorgonzola
Step 1. Cut it into pieces to freeze it
If you want to keep the gorgonzola in the freezer, the first thing to do is divide it into small pieces weighing no more than 200 g. The kitchen scale will help you create portions of even weight.
You can freeze gorgonzola even after opening the package to eat part of it. Also in this case you will have to divide it into slices or portions of uniform weight (200 g)
Step 2. Wrap it in a double layer of food paper
Whether you want to keep it in the fridge or freezer, the cheese should be carefully wrapped to ensure its freshness as long as possible. Wrap it first in parchment paper, then wrap it with a layer of cling film or foil to prevent moisture from escaping to keep it soft and creamy.
- If you intend to keep it in the freezer, protect it further by closing it in a food bag; it will help you prevent any cold burns.
- If you are concerned that the cheese may absorb the odors or flavors of other foods you store in the refrigerator, you can store it in an airtight container after wrapping it in paper as described.
Step 3. Place it on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator
In order to keep it for a long time, gorgonzola needs to stay cold. Since the bottom section of the refrigerator is generally the coldest, it makes sense to keep the cheese there in order to preserve its quality for longer. If your fridge has drawers on the bottom, that is the ideal place to store the gorgonzola - it is likely to remain closed even when you open the fridge to take a look and therefore the temperature remains stable.
Advice
- If the gorgonzola shows signs of deterioration even though you just bought it, don't be afraid to take it back to the shop. Take your receipt with you and ask for a refund or to purchase a different product.
- Sweet gorgonzola has a higher percentage of humidity than spicy gorgonzola, which is why it tends to go bad more quickly.
Warnings
- If you start to feel nauseous after eating cheese that you think has gone bad, call your doctor.
- If only part of the cheese shows signs of deterioration in color or texture, don't just cut it off and eat the rest. Better to throw away the whole piece because mold and bacteria could still remain.
