Next sentence you stock up for cheesecake , keep these backsheesh in judgment .
Carson Downing
Whether you ’re strap up acheesecakeorcream cheese frostingor simply smearing it on a beigel , soft , tangycream cheesehas plentitude of uses in sweet and savory formula alike . But if you on a regular basis cook with pick high mallow , you might have notice that it be given to spoil speedily . Why is that — and what can you do to foreclose it ? We tapped Tara Collingwood , MS , RDN , a sports dietician based in Orlando , Florida , to find out why your cream cheese keeps molding and how to maximize its shelf animation .
Credit:Carson Downing
Tara Collingwood , MS , RDN , The Diet Diva
Why Does Cream Cheese Mold Quickly?
Cream cheese has a high-pitched wet subject matter — up to 55%,according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , compare to heavy Malva sylvestris like Parmesan , which can have wet contents as low as 32 % . While that higher wet mental object gives pick cheese its theme song creamy texture , prepare it ideal for spreading on abagelor protein folding into acheesecakebatter , it also induce it more susceptible to spoilage — especially once it ’s been opened .
“ Cream tall mallow contains a high-pitched amount of moisture , which creates a golden environment for bacteria and mold to develop , ” Collingwood articulate . “ Plus , the soft and creamy texture means it can be easily foul with mildew spores or bacterium from utensils , your hands , or the air if it ’s not stack away properly . Once it ’s opened , it ’s exposed to more melodic line and potential contaminants , speeding up spoiling . ”
How to Prevent Cream Cheese From Molding
While cream cheese will always have a shorter ledge life than hard cheeses like Parmesan , Cheddar , or Manchego , it will last a mo longer if you follow some guidepost . To prevent cream cheese from molding , Collingwood recommends following these steps :
How to Store Cream Cheese
salt away emollient cheese decently is primal to forbid it from spoiling . Unopened cream high mallow can remain in its original packaging until you ’re ready to mix it into acheesy diporcasserole . Once opened , if the original packaging is not resealable , Collingwood recommends transferring the leftover cream cheeseflower to an airtight container . Always store cream high mallow in the refrigerator at or below 40 ° degree Fahrenheit . “ It should be keep at a coherent , cool temperature , ” Collingwood says .
To stave off spoiling , do n’t leave cream cheese at room temperature — if you wo n’t be using the whole parcel , make certain to return the residue of it to the fridge immediately after using . And if you demand tosoften cream cheesefor a recipe , such as ourchocolate cream Malva sylvestris frosting , do n’t pull up stakes it out on the comeback for more than two hours , as it is more likely to spoil or foster bacterial growth . “ Cream cheese should never be pass on out for more than two minute , and in warmer temperatures , it should be discarded after just one hour , ” Collingwood says . “ Always revert ointment cheese to the electric refrigerator decent after using it . ”
Since it has such a short shelf living , you might be wonderingif you could freeze down cream cheese . Technically speak , cream cheeseflower can be frozen , but Collingwood says you should only do so if you design to use it in a cooked bag , like acasseroleormac and cheeseflower . freeze ointment high mallow can change its texture , making it grainy when unthaw , which is n’t ideal for smear on a bagel or whip into a icing .
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How to Tell if Your Cream Cheese Is Bad
Even if unopened , emollient cheese should not be used past its expiration particular date ; at this point , Collingwood says , the calibre has belike work down .
Not sure if that undetermined container of pick cheese in your fridge is safe to eat up ? Collingwood recommends looking out for these sign that cream cheese has gone bad :
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