Almost everyone loves cheese!
Not only is cheese a staple in most homes, but it is virtually always invited to get-togethers as well!
You might want to know how long cheese can stay out at room temperature if you are serving up a cheese platter at your next gathering.
While the FDA recommends that food not be kept out for more than two hours, the length of time a certain cheese stays safe to consume depends on a variety of factors, including its type, freshness, and moisture level.
Depending on the type, cheese can normally be left out at room temperature for 2 to 8 hours without losing its safety.
How long a certain type of cheese can stay at room temperature depends on the type of cheese and the water content.
- Soft cheeses (such as Camembert)
The food safety experts at Clemson University’s Cooperative Extension claim that soft cheeses can be left out at room temperature for 4 hours.
You should refrigerate the leftover soft cheeses as soon as possible because of their relatively high moisture content, which promotes bacterial growth.
- Hard cheeses (such as Parmesan)
Due to their decreased moisture content, hard cheeses can be left out for a longer period—up to 8 hours at room temperature.
Nevertheless, after 4-5 hours of being left out at room temperature, your cheese can start to dry up and otherwise lose some of its aesthetic appeal.
As a result, it’s advisable to put any cheese that remains after eating it in the refrigerator to maintain its quality.
Is Cheese Safe To Eat If Left Out Overnight?
In most circumstances, leaving the cheese out overnight may affect the product’s quality.
While cheese can be kept outside of the refrigerator for short periods, if it is left out overnight or for an extended period, it will go bad or start to do so.
The cheese will begin to smell unpleasant and potentially get moldy when it starts to spoil.
Even hard cheeses should be put back into the refrigerator, while soft cheeses have to be thrown out after 4 hours.
Leaving cheese out too long may compromise its food safety; you should put it back in the fridge after around two hours for optimum quality.
If you’re still apprehensive about eating cheese that has been out all night or at room temperature, stick to hard cheeses.
Even when kept outside of optimal conditions, aged cheeses will be better able to keep their distinctive flavor and functioning features and pose less of a risk to food safety.
In addition, except for new cheese, you should try to serve all cheeses at room temperature for the best flavor.
Burrata and fresh mozzarella are examples of fresh cheeses that need to be chilled until served.
But if allowed to reach room temperature, soft cheeses like Brie will taste better and be simpler to spread, while tougher cheeses will be simpler to cut.
Can You Eat Cheese That’s Been Out For 12 Hours?
Harder cheeses can be left out for up to 8 hours, while soft cheeses can be left out for 2 to 4 hours.
Beyond that, the cheese’s texture will change, and the fat will start to leak out.
Once more, this is based on the assumption that a room’s normal temperature is roughly 70 degrees.
However, some cheese varieties’ shelf life differs from that of others.
Choosing how long to leave a certain cheese out of the refrigerator might be challenging and pose a health risk.
The type and amount of cheese, the weather, and other circumstances all play a role in the answer, which is not always obvious.
According to the U.S. Department of Health, soft cheeses are specifically discouraged from being left out of the refrigerator for longer than two hours.
Cheddar, parmesan, and gouda are examples of hard cheeses that are more resilient.
These can be rewrapped and refrigerated if they’ve been out for two hours.
As is well known, cheese is a dairy product with a high lactose and moisture content.
These elements make cheese the perfect setting for bacterial growth, in addition to being frequently left out at room temperature.
An illustration would be the possibility that the cheese had been subjected to high heat, rendering it unusable.
The cheese will also deteriorate more quickly if it is not kept in a cool environment.
Last but not least, the cheese will also go bad too fast if there is too much moisture in the storage space.
Cheese gets firmer and has a stronger flavor as it ages, which is why many people prefer younger cheeses.
But if you leave your cheese out for a long time, it can spoil and pick up undesirable aromas or even harmful microorganisms.
To prevent cheese from spoiling, it’s crucial to store it in a cool, dry environment and to get rid of any cheese that has gone bad or acquired an odd flavor.
Does Cheese Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?
Cheese can be kept at room temperature for up to two hours, much like any other perishable goods.
Nevertheless, depending on the variety, leftover unrefrigerated cheese requires a different approach.
For instance, hard cheeses, such as Swiss, gouda, and parmesan, can be wrapped tightly and chilled to use again if the cheese tray is left out for two hours rather than being thrown.
According to the USDA, cheese should be kept in the freezer or refrigerator.
After 2-4 days at room temperature, most cheeses will begin to taste and smell sour.
It is better to throw away the cheese right away if there are any indications of deterioration.
That’s why cheese should be refrigerated as soon as it has finished being served so it can be enjoyed at its finest.
The cheese can be frozen for up to 6 to 9 months, which is beneficial if you won’t be eating it right away.
Parmesan is an example of hard cheese that ages more slowly than cheeses with a high moisture content like brie and feta.
Conversely, soft cheeses retain more moisture, which is better for bacterial development.
Therefore, if you want to be extra careful, abide by the USDA recommendations and throw away perishable foods.
In addition, discard soft cheese right away if you notice any mold.
Why take the risk of eating spoiled cheese when there are so many delicious, safe alternatives?
Cheese is a dairy product made from milk that has been curdled and then strained.
Most types of cheese need to be refrigerated in order to prevent bacteria from growing.
However, if cheese is left out of the fridge for too long, it can spoil.
Spoiled cheese may smell rank or sour and may have a slimy texture.
It can cause food poisoning, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In severe cases, it may even lead to death.
You may not realize it, but there’s a good chance you or someone you know has experienced food poisoning.
In fact, it’s estimated that one in six Americans suffer from food poisoning a year.
The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and sometimes they can even be life-threatening.
If you’re ever in doubt about the safety of a block of cheese, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and throw it out.
It isn’t worth it!
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.