Does Gruyere Cheese Need To Be Refrigerated?

The Gruyère cheese is a Swiss cheese with a unique taste. This cheese’s flavor and versatility make it more popular than other Swiss cheeses. 

We all know that storing foods in the refrigerator is the ideal way to preserve them. Foods stored in the fridge may have their shelf-life extended. But the question many are asking is, does Gruyère cheese need to be refrigerated? 

If you are among those seeking an answer to this question, you have come to the right place. We did some digging and have put together details you need to know about Gruyère cheese. Keep reading to learn more!  

Do You Refrigerate Gruyere?

Yes, you can refrigerate Gruyère; it would stay fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks. When refrigerated, this cheese will retain its freshness and texture for weeks. But note that packaging plays a significant role in deciding how long the refrigerated Gruyère cheese would last once you open the packaging.   

If you want it to last for 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator, endeavor to wrap your cheese tightly in plastic wrap. Furthermore, ensure wrinkles in your wrap don’t touch the cheese’s surface, as there will be crease and drying where the wrinkle is.

A Handy Tip: When stored in a refrigerator, ensure your Gruyère cheese isn’t close to dishes with a pungent smell. 

How Long Can Gruyere Cheese Be Unrefrigerated?

You can leave your Gruyère cheese unrefrigerated for a maximum of two hours, and it will stay fresh the whole time. However, note that bacteria increases under temperatures between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you can leave your cheese for two hours without fear of bacteria invading it, but discard it afterwards.

Understand that cheese is a perishable food because of the ingredients used in making it. And according to the United States Department of Health, keeping perishable foods at room temperature or outside the fridge for more than 2 hours is not advisable. 

Again, note that how long your cheese will remain safe when stored depends on several factors. These include the moisture content of the cheese if it is old or fresh and other factors. 

A Handy Tip: Allow your cheese to drop to room temperature before you start serving or consuming it. This way, you’ll get the best flavor the cheese has to offer. The waiting time should be about 20 to 30 minutes, so you’re not waiting forever for the cheese to come to room temperature.

Does Gruyere Cheese Need To Be Refrigerated Before Opening?

Yes, your Gruyère cheese needs to be refrigerated before opening to prevent spoilage. It is even important to check the refrigerator at the supermarket where the cheese is kept to ensure it is working. 

When you purchase cheese from the grocery and arrive home, throw it into the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Additionally, when you open the cheese’s packaging, wrap it with plastic wrap tightly before refrigerating it.    

The reason it is wise to refrigerate Gruyère cheese is to prevent spoilage. You can’t leave it at 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for over 2 hours and expect it to remain fresh. 

However, it is highly unlike that you’ll face food safety challenges when you leave cheese at room temperature. But if you want the best quality, endeavor to transfer cheese back to the fridge when kept for 2 hours at room temperature.    

A Handy Tip: It is advisable to keep cheese refrigerated at all times. That way, it will maintain its best quality and prevent spoilage. Don’t keep the cheese at room temperature for an extended period. 

How Do You Store Gruyere?

There are several ways you can store Gruyère. You can store it at room temperature, but for only a short time. It is advisable to store this Swiss cheese at room temperature for 2 hours. You can also refrigerate and freeze your Gruyère.

The main goal of storing this cheese is to prevent it from drying or turning moldy. A Gruyère cheese that turns moldy or dries out is worth discarding. You won’t get any benefit or enjoy consuming such a cheese. 

So, it would be best if you stored your Gruyère properly. Wrap the cheese with cling film to prevent it from drying out.

Take a large section of cling film to ensure the cheese is adequately covered. Then use your bare hand to smooth out the wrap’s surface to make it wrinkle-free. Place the cheese in the middle of the wrap, pull the longer sides up and place it over your Gruyère cheese. 

After pulling the longer sides of the wrap over the cheese, pull out another wrap and place it on the cheese’s surface. Ensure the wrap is placed tightly on the cheese before moving it into the refrigerator. 

So, cover your cheese tightly before moving it into the refrigerator. Keep in mind that Gruyère will remain fresh and retain its flavor for 3 – 4 weeks. 

Once appropriately packaged, you can also store Gruyère in the freezer. This cheese will last for about 3 months in the freezer, but keep in mind that it might lose its flavor and even become crumbly. 

How Long Does Gruyere Cheese Last After Opening?

Note that 3 to 4 weeks is how long Gruyère cheese would last after opening, but you have to store it in the fridge for it to last this long. An opened Gruyère cheese would last about 2 to 3 months in the freezer. 

Storage condition is crucial in deciding how long an opened Gruyère cheese would last. Another factor is the packaging. Once opened, package your Gruyère cheese properly. 

You can wrap the original packaging with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. But for better results, you can have the cheese wrapped in parchment paper or wax before covering it with plastic wrap and sending it to the refrigerator. 

A Handy Tip: Gruyère cheese stored at zero degrees Fahrenheit will remain safe indefinitely, but it will lose some flavor.

Is Gruyere Supposed To Stink?

Yes, Gruyère is supposed to stink because of how it is processed. But the taste isn’t affected in any way. Gruyère boasts a salty and sweet flavor with a slightly creamy texture. You’ll also notice cracks and texture becoming grainy when the cheese ages fully. 

But the stink isn’t a sign that the cheese is bad. Gruyère’s strong smell is due to the process it undergoes to produce the rind. 

What is the Best Way To Eat Gruyere Cheese?

The best way to eat Gruyère cheese is to combine it with roasted potatoes, crusty bread, and crudités. The Gruyère cheese melts well, making it a wise choice for baking. 

In general, there are diverse ways to consume this delectable Swiss cheese. You can melt it into your grilled cheese sandwich or a piece of toast to consume with French onions soup. 

In addition, Gruyère cheese goes well with slightly sweet wines. Examples include dessert wines, Riesling, and Chardonnay. The idea is to consume drinks that will enhance the wine’s flavor and not overpower it. 

The Gruyère cheese also goes well with bock beer and apple cider. 

How Do You Know If Gruyère Has Gone Bad?

You can figure out that your Gruyère has gone bad in several ways, such as its color, appearance, texture, and smell. Now, let’s break it down for better understanding. 

Here are signs that your Gruyère cheese has gone bad. 

• Change in texture: Gruyere is a hard cheese, but when its texture becomes surprisingly too hard, note that it has gone bad. At this point, the best option to follow is to discard it. 
• Change in smell: If you perceive a strong odor. Or probably, if the cheese smells rancid or sour, it has gone bad. 
• Presence of mold: If there’s mold growing on your cheese, discard it immediately. Do not attempt to cut off the part where the mold is and believe the cheese is safe. It is not. Discard the entire cheese once you find mold growing on it. 
• Watery and Mushy:  Is your cheese watery and mushy? Then it’s time to discard it. It’s a sign the cheese has gone bad.
• Change in color: A change in the original color of the cheese is a sign that it has gone bad. 

Conclusion: Does Gruyère cheese need to be refrigerated?

You store your Gruyère in the fridge to prevent spoilage and keep the cheese fresh. 

Don’t forget that bacteria thrive when the temperature drops to 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. So, be careful how long you store your cheese outside the fridge. 

When stored at room temperature, Gruyère will only last for 2 hours. After which, bacteria may invade it. So, refrigerate your cheese whether you just brought it home from the grocery store or made it at home.

Besides the fridge, you can store your Gruyère in the freezer. This cheese will last for over 3 months in the freezer and indefinitely when frozen at zero degrees Fahrenheit. However, keep in mind that keeping cheese in the freezer will affect its flavor slightly.