Cheese can spoil in different ways depending on its type. While some cheeses naturally develop mold, others become unsafe quickly.
How to tell if cheese has spoiled
Cheese is spoiled if it smells unpleasant, feels slimy, or has unusual mold growth.
Warning signs in spoiled cheese
Fresh cheese smells mild and pleasant. Spoilage changes both smell and texture.
- Ammonia or rotten odor
- Sticky or slimy surface
- Mold on cheeses that should not have mold
Hard cheese vs soft cheese spoilage
Hard cheeses may be safe if a small mold spot is cut away deeply. Soft cheeses should be discarded entirely if mold appears.
If cheese smells strongly unpleasant, it should not be tasted.
Common mistakes with cheese
- Assuming all mold is safe.
- Storing cheese without wrapping.
- Keeping cheese in overly humid conditions.
Conclusion
If cheese smells bad, feels slimy, or has unsafe mold, it should be thrown away.