Goat cheese is some of the best tasting cheese out there. Additionally, it has many healthy nutrients. For starters, goat cheese is a high source of protein. One ounce of goat cheese typically has around 6 grams of protein. Goat cheese is also high in vitamins and fatty acids. These nutrients have very strong antibacterial properties which helps your body fight off bacterial infections. 

Unfortunately, goat cheese does not stay fresh for very long. One of the main reasons is because it has a high water content. For this reason, goat cheese is classified as a soft cheese. Soft cheese becomes spoiled faster because it is easier for mold to penetrate the surface of the cheese and spread. 

While eating goat cheese that has a little mold won’t hurt you, eating goat cheese that is very spoiled can negatively affect your health. In today’s article, we are going to explain how to tell if goat cheese is spoiled. 

How to tell if goat cheese is spoiled

The main way to tell if goat cheese is spoiled is by mold, color, dryness, and smell.

Mold

The most obvious way to tell if goat cheese is spoiled is by the presence of mold. Mold on goat cheese is usually a bluish or green color. While a little bit of mold is fine, we do not recommend eating the goat cheese if the entire surface is covered in mold. While some cheese tastes better with a little bit of mold, goat cheese is a soft cheese and the taste is not enhanced by mold. 

Color

You can also tell if goat cheese is spoiled if it has changed colors. Fresh goat cheese will usually be white with a possible yellow tint to it. If the goat cheese starts to become a strong yellow, or any other color, there is a good chance that the cheese is spoiled. 

Dryness

Since goat cheese is naturally a soft cheese, it should usually be nice and soft. A knife should easily be able to cut through it. If your goat cheese has become hard like a rock, it has most likely been spoiled. 

Smell

Lastly, goat cheese will have a bad stench if it is spoiled. The stench is caused by bacteria breaking down the cheese. If your goat cheese doesn’t smell good, you should not eat it. This is because the goat cheese will most likely taste very similar to the smell. Spoiled goat cheese is known for having a very strong stench and taste. 

How to store goat cheese

The best way to store goat cheese is by using a vacuum seal. This prevents any excess air from entering the cheese, and prevents bacteria cultures from forming. If you don’t have vacuum seal bags, you can just use regular zip lock bags. You should cut the goat cheese into small, hand size pieces, and then put them in the refrigerator. Most goat cheese should be stored in the fridge for around 2 months. You can also rub salt or salt brine against goat cheese to help it stay fresh for longer. After you open up the bag, we recommend eating everything inside and not putting any back in the fridge.