All About Truffle cheese
Your complete guide to truffle cheese - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Truffle cheese Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for truffle cheese in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Unopened in Refrigerator1-3 months
Signs of Spoilage
Puffiness in packaging (indicating gas production from spoilage), visible mold growth within the sealed package, strong sour or ammoniated odor detectable through the packaging, unusual discoloration.
How to Check
Visually inspect the packaging for any bulging or tears. Check the cheese through the packaging for any visible mold or unusual discoloration. If the packaging allows, gently press to feel for any sliminess or excessive hardness not typical of the cheese. A light sniff near the packaging can sometimes detect strong off-odors.
Storage Tips
Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Keep in original packaging until ready to use to maintain freshness and prevent exposure to air and other odors.
Opened in Refrigerator1-2 weeks for softer varieties (e.g., truffle brie), up to 3 weeks for harder varieties (e.g., truffle cheddar, pecorino)
Signs of Spoilage
Visible mold growth (fuzzy blue, green, black spots; note: not to be confused with natural rinds on some specialty cheeses). Strong, sour, or ammoniated odor that wasn't present initially. Slimy or excessively hardened/dried-out texture. Discoloration beyond expected aging (e.g., deep yellowing, dark spots). Loss of truffle aroma, replaced by off-odors.
How to Check
Visual inspection for mold or discoloration on the surface and cut edges. Smell test for off-odors – a pungent, sour milk, or ammonia smell indicates spoilage. The delicate truffle aroma should still be present, not overwhelmed by unpleasant smells. Touch test for sliminess or an unusually hard, brittle texture. If mold is present on hard truffle cheese, you may cut at least one inch around and below the mold, ensuring no mold remains, but discard soft truffle cheeses entirely if mold appears due to potential spread of unseen toxins.
Storage Tips
Proper wrapping is crucial. Wrap the cheese first in parchment paper or wax paper, then loosely in plastic wrap, or store in an airtight container. This allows the cheese to breathe while preventing it from drying out or absorbing other fridge odors. Avoid wrapping directly in plastic wrap for extended periods as it can trap moisture and promote mold. Allow cheese to come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before serving to enhance its flavor and aroma.
Freezer (for cooking)3-6 months
Signs of Spoilage
Freezer burn (dry, discolored patches on the surface). Significant alteration in texture upon thawing (e.g., excessive crumbliness, mealiness, loss of creaminess). Noticeable diminishment or loss of truffle flavor and aroma.
How to Check
Visually inspect for freezer burn before or after thawing. After thawing, check the texture – it may be more crumbly or mealy than fresh. Taste and smell for reduced truffle flavor and aroma; it may taste bland or off.
Storage Tips
Freezing is generally not recommended for high-quality cheeses, especially those where texture and nuanced flavor (like truffle) are paramount, as it can alter the texture and diminish the delicate truffle aroma. If freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or place in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator. Best used in cooked dishes like gratins, sauces, or baked items rather than served raw.