How Long Does Provolone Cheese Last? Does it Go Bad?

People frequently use provolone cheese; thus, you will find it stored in their fridge.

However, while storing, they begin to think about how long people can store the cheese or do provolone cheese go bad.

That is because the cheese begins to offer a different taste when kept for an extended period.

So there is no doubt that it goes bad; thus, when anyone has an old stored provolone cheese, they must look for bad signs.

Eating bad cheese can make anybody sick, as this can cause food poisoning.

What is Provolone Cheese?

Provolone cheese originated in the 13th century in Italy, but now one can find it at any store.

This is made with cow’s milk in a round-shaped mold.

Once made then, the cheese is cut into slices without removing its wax mold.

Thus sometimes you might even see the cheese with a wax ring around the cheese.

The cheese is available in three types of varieties that are dolce, piccante, and American deli provolone.

It has a nutty and mild flavor, making it perfect to pair with other food items.

However, it might be different if you have other varieties.

As provolone dolce has a sweet and mild taste, provolone piccante is a little spicy, buttery, and sharp.

The cheese is rich in calcium which provides better eyesight and bone strength.

One can also increase the production of red blood cells in the body.

How Long Does Provolone Cheese Last? Does Provolone Cheese Go Bad?

When you buy this cheese, it has a labeled date on it.

That date indicates the time period till which one can use the cheese without losing its quality.

Once the labeled date is passed, the cheese will be fine to eat however, this might not offer a similar taste as before.

If we talk about the usual shelf life of provolone cheese, then an unopened pack can serve for about two months if kept in the refrigerator.

On the other hand, an opened pack will only be fresh for up to 3 weeks.

If anyone desires to preserve provolone cheese for more extended periods, they can put this in the freezer.

After freezing, you can increase its shelf life to 6 to 8 months.

If anyone expects the cheese to last till the earlier provided periods, they need to store it under favorable conditions.

Keeping the cheese under unfavorable conditions can make it go bad even before its best-by date.

Therefore one must pay attention and provide them with suitable storage measures to retain quality shelf life.

After freezing, one must keep the cheese at room temperature for defrosting instead of direct usage.

How to Tell if Provolone Cheese Has Gone Bad?

• Foul Odor

The most noticeable change to look for is the smell of the cheese.

Initially, when the cheese is fresh, this does not give any odor.

However, when you store the cheese for a prolonged period, then this develops a foul odor.

So if the provolone cheese has a foul or unpleasant odor, then you should discard it as it’s not edible anymore.

Be sure that the smell is strong as sometimes, because of bad storing; it develops a mild odor.

• Mold Growth

If there is mold visibility on the cheese’s surface, then one should avoid its consumption.

The surface will develop white or grey spots that indicate bad cheese.

Mold growth happens when the cheese has prolonged exposure to bacteria and moisture.

Thus it has become inedible and contains toxins that can make you sick.

You can cut it into slices and see if only a specific area is affected; then, you can have the not-moldy area.

• Discoloration

Fresh provolone cheese has yellowish- white color, but it will change if you keep it stored.

Thus it can be a good sign to identify bad cheese.

When the cheese gets rancid, then it bright color becomes dull.

You will find that out that its color has become darker.

How to Store Provolone Cheese?

• Avoid Storage at Room Temperature

If you want to save the cheese from earlier spoilage, then avoid keeping it at room temperature.

That is because long storage in the pantry can lead the cheese to mold and freeze burns.

At high temperatures, bacteria develop quickly; thus, one must not keep the cheese at high temperatures for a long time.

• Add a Plastic Wrap

When you are keeping cheese in the fridge or freezer, then you should add a wrap around it.

Adding a wrap will protect other food items from getting on cheese.

Also, you easily prevent impurities and avoid excessive exposure to air.

This will help your provolone to avoid moisture, and one can preserve it for an extended period.

• Refrigeration

For keeping the cheese intact for a prolonged period, refrigeration is the best way.

That is because you can avoid high temperatures, direct sunlight, and bacteria.

At cold temperature oxidation process slow down as bacteria and microorganism does not develop in a cold area that easily.

Conclusion

The ideal temperature to keep the cheese fresh is 13 degree Celsius or lower.

At the time of freezing, you can also use an airtight container to seal the cheese completely.

This container will also prevent odor absorption of cheese and will not get a strong smell of surrounding items.

When the cheese is fresh, it has a creamy, semi-soft texture.

However, when you store this for an extended period, its texture becomes harder.

So if the texture is harder, then you must throw the cheese out.