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Dairy & Eggs
How long does hard cheese last?
Aged cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, gouda.
Quick answer
Fridge (40°F / 4°C)
6 months
Original wrapper or wax paper inside loose plastic
Freezer (0°F / -18°C)
6 months
Texture becomes crumbly — fine for cooking
After opening
4 weeks
After opening, in original wrapper or wax paper
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Signs hard cheese has gone bad
- •Surface mold (cut 1 inch around — rest is safe for hard cheese only)
- •Off smell
- •Sliminess on cut edges
Storage tips
- ✓Hard cheese: cut 1 inch around mold, rest is fine
- ✓Soft cheese: any mold = discard whole piece
- ✓Wax paper > plastic wrap — cheese needs to breathe
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Disclaimer: Times shown are USDA/FDA-recommended best quality periods, not absolute safety guarantees. Storage conditions, packaging, and food handling all affect actual shelf life. When in doubt, throw it out.