Daiya cheese has a shelf life of 1 year from the date of manufacture. This is not the same as the ‘Best Before’ date, which is an indication of quality only. How long does daiya cheese last unopened?
The best before date refers to an approximation of when it will no longer be safe to consume the product. There are several factors that can affect this time frame, including storage conditions and temperature.
Is Daiya Vegan?
Yes, of course! This is one ingredient in our recipe guides that you can rest assured is 100% vegan and cruelty-free – it’s even on the Food Standards Agency’s Vegan Free Meal Plan.
Everything is vegan until avowed otherwise. Daiya has been produced in factories that are fully compliant with non-animal usage and welfare standards, so there’s no reason to worry about how even the smallest of details can affect the final product.
Is Daiya Cheese Bad?
No! In fact, dairy allergies are a growing problem in today’s modern food system. While mouldy cheese is an absolute no-no, there are methods of cheese-making that will ensure all ingredients – far including milk and lactose – stay completely safe to consume.
Daiya is traditionally made with milk, and in several countries it’s also produced using a fermentation process as well. This allows for the rind to naturally develop too – something that traditional cheese makers must rely on doughs being able to do without bacterial action.
What Is The Shelf Life Of Daiya When Not Opened?
Since Daiya cheese is made of textured plant based protein, the shelf life will not be as long when it is in its original packaging.
However, once unpackaged and exposed to open air, such a degradation process will occur – therefore the ‘best before’ dates are strictly an indication of quality only; they do not necessarily refer to duration or quality.
Please see our detailed guide on how fresh and sealed recycled biomaterials can preserve quality over time.
Daiya and cheese do not always have very similar textures. Although the cheese will fade over time, you can use your blender blade to re-introduce some nutrients back into it.
How Long Does Daiya Cheese Last Unopened?
This comes down to a number of factors. The main one is oxygen – the Daiya cheese will best remain in it unopened/unbroken state for around 6 months as long as it’s kept away from all forms of heat, exposed to very minimal light and stored where there are no pests or insects (including other items you may be storing).
Persistent exposure to direct sunlight over a long period of time can cause the molds identified on this main page, therefore if you choose not to keep it in its original packaging or seal an opening in order for light and air access then it will deteriorate much quicker.
Chemical agents such as sodium metabisulfite may also occur within waxed paper wrappers (which usually contain vegetable glycerin).
The term ‘best before’ is relative; if the cheese remains intact prior to opening and sealed, it can still be kept in a decent state for some time after, but will not necessarily retain 100% of its quality from scoop to eating. Keep refrigerated & below 5°C:
Warnings We do our best with all carefully researched ingredients – however every ingredient is imperfect! If you are allergic or sensitive please take care initially when introducing any new food into your diet.
Samples are often cut to size before they arrive so care should be taken when consuming this product. This cheese is also not vegan as it contains milk products – in some cases the amounts may pose a minor risk (see next question).
Likewise, due to its high nutritional value the shreds can have an effect on hormone levels and bones/teeth if you are of above average age or prone toward any such conditions.
We recommend stretching small amount over time with intense regular exercise (4-8 times a week) and taking calcium / trace element supplement or multivitamin if you feel low. Keep refrigerated & below 5°C:
As we mentioned before, this cheese is sold in warm weather months primarily as its “best before” date approaches to account for ripening occurring during storage. Quality can be retained up until the opening of the snapchat application making some older food last longer than it otherwise would.
We cannot conclusively advise how long a food can be kept well after opening or from spoon to plate but depending on the nature of its ingredients, this type as in most other vegan cheeses tend not to degrade for some time (it’s worth noting that properly sealed soft-ripening animal based milks are one exception).
Can I Use Daiya After Its Expiration Date Has Passed?
Yes, you can save all sold versions of Daiya from being sent to landfill. All our products are printed with an expiration date that does not have a fixed time frame (which change according The European Union and the United States!)
Or set in stone for any specific amount of days past this mark instead choosing it based on its quality at packaging.
So if your tools last long enough you can use them even one year old! Ideally we recommend keeping older preserves in the fridge after opening to keep it fresh, unless they are out of date when that would mean crossing over into being damaged.
Does Any Other Food Go Bad Like This, Or Just Cheese?
Soft-ripened foods (any fruit or dairy based) are unfairly maligned in comparison to those that can be carried over by the “Supermarket of Six months” approach mentioned earlier.
This is a poor debate given most ingredients and some recipes don’t meet their needs upon opening, let alone even at use with out’s quality deteriorating much quicker than aged perishables like fine wine.
We do plan on writing an article about this soon as we’ve noticed a small boom in dairy based vegan cheeses sold on the internet that are not poster children for pasteurization and storage practices some have also experienced problems with as well.
Can I Use Daiya After Its Expiration Date Has Passed?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture “Secondary Cells and Microorganisms” Should be discarded after 8 hours.
Soft Rennet manufactured for use in cheese-making is active even at room temperature for 1 year from date stamped on packaging, or 2 years if kept in refrigerator.
We’re not enthusiastic about this post but you can google many sources that offer proper advice related there are some very reputable tasteblind suppliers out suggest several times it’s best kept in the fridge after opening.
Does Daiya Cheese Freeze Well?
There’s no reason why it would go moldy or become dirty when frozen just as well.
If your planning on freezing products with high water content, may we suggest brining the product prior to filling (brine recipes can be found in our resource guide) so various microbes and pathogens are killed off (especially if you’re activity is not commercial).
We recommend letting firm cheeses like Daiya sit out around 10 minutes before transferring into an airtight plastic container.
Generally speaking, when left out at room temperature for three days straight we’ve yet to experience any symptoms of rancidity or off aromas.
Conclusion
Daiya is one of the most popular vegan cheese brands on the market, and it’s made with a variety of ingredients to make it just as delicious as any other type of cheese. Since it’s made with cashews, there’s no danger of it going bad if you don’t eat it all at once!
The product can be stored in the fridge for up to six months, so there’s no need to worry about it spoiling if you have some left over. I hope now you understand How long does daiya cheese last unopened.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.How Can I Tell If My Daiya Is Still Safe To Eat?
Ans: The packaging will specify the expiry date that corresponds with starting time of ripening – at this stage its ripe for consumption.
Once your container has opened though, it’s going to take much longer for a component within cheese like protein/casein proteins to decompose (another product where these components take days or weeks before losing their potency) so you’d need better quality for longer life.
2.Should I Keep My Daiya In The Freezer Or Store It At Room Temperature?
Ans: Once you’ve opened a container, this is up to your personal choice – if fresh then try to consume within 1-2 months and keep refrigerated below 5°C for long term storage (longer than this and quality will probably be compromised).
If still viable after such time though when kept out of fridge consistently, should see no additional benefits from freezing in excess of 3 months.
3.What Happens If The Daiya Changes Colour?
Ans: This may be a sign of mould although we have never had an issue with discolouration when opening panels and sharing this food in good faith.
It is also possible that what you are noticing is some natural development occurring during storage caused by allergenic / naturally occurring bacterias which can convert casein residue into lactic acid and vinegar allowing some softness to develop as well (though, in our experience, this will still be recognisable as cheese).
4.What Happens If I Eat The Daiya?
Ans: It’s safe to consume but not recommended. As with any soft-ripening food these cheeses are best enjoyed fresh which – given we do not vialy distribute in warm weather months where ripening is expected – means try and enjoy it up until opening time!
If you really can’t wait then consider also storing back on line or inside the original packaging as this otherwise contributes to shelf life of a lot of our cheeses (the ultimate and most accurate point is probably what you do at home).
