Last Updated on November 5, 2022 by Aaron
Asiago cheese is delicious, but how long does it last? And how to spot a spoiled asiago?
Fresh asiago cheese lasts for about 10-15 days in the fridge. At unrefrigerated room temperature, it’s normally safe to eat for up to 8 hours. Whereas, aged asiago cheese lasts for about 2-3 weeks in the fridge. And, it will last for about 12-24 hours if unrefrigerated.
It may depend on many factors, so you always have to check on the cheese surface first. Sometimes, it could still be good to eat.
Fresh asiago typically cured for less than a month and considered semi-soft. Like the one in the image above, It has more moisture in it thus doesn’t last very long. The longer the age, drier it is, therefore can last for longer. Also, don’t forget to check the printed best-by date.
You can make your cheese last longer and still taste awesome, it’s all about how you store the asiago properly.
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How long does it last once opened?
The unopened asiago can last for months. But once you opened the asiago package, It will only last for about 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge, and up to 24 hours if unrefrigerated. But what about those unfinished?
It’s easier to just toss it back to the fridge, right? Yes, if you planned to finish it in the next few days. After that, the cheese past its prime will not taste as good. But if you’d like to store it for a little longer than a few days, you’ll need to know how to store it right.
First step to prevent mold, be sure to use a clean knife to cut and to minimise any contamination with other ingredients while you prepare it. Then, wrap the cheese with a plastic, wax or parchment paper before placing into the fridge. It will lock the moisture and acts as a protective layer from contaminants.
Asiago can be frozen, but it will taste slightly different after.
The duration for storing the asiago varied to asiago’s age. The fresh asiago is easier to spoil than an aged asiago. Check for any off coloration, hardening, molds or bad smell. This means the cheese might be infected by molds and bacteria, which can be harmful.
How can you tell if it’s spoiled?
Moist cheese usually spoil quicker and easier to notice, as it will have a foul smell and faster mold growing. But for hard cheese like asiago, it can be harder to tell because it’s drier and spoil a bit slower. Therefore you could just cut off the infected area and use the good part. It’s a good news right?
You will have to check carefully on the surface for any mold patch or dots on it. It can be hard to spot. Touch it to make sure it’s firm, not slimy or sticky. The good asiago (the well aged one) should be solid with a little grainy.
If you see molds dots went all over the cheese, discard it.
If there is only a small area is infected, you could just cut that part away with a cleaned knife. Make sure it’s at least 1 inch below the area and your knife didn’t cross contaminated the good part. Serve in cooked or hot dishes, just to be safe.
Sometimes the cheese may look a little dried out, but it could still be good to use.
Do you need to refrigerate the asiago cheese?
Yes, whether it’s opened or not, you’ll need to refrigerate the asiago cheese as it’s a perishable food. Room temperature promotes the growth of harmful bacteria and molds, and putting it in the fridge will make your cheese stay good for longer.
If you bought too much and would like to store it until next month, you may want to consider freezing the asiago cheese.
Hope that help, feel free to ask me anything!
