Mascarpone has a reputation for being one of the tastiest, creamiest cheeses available. It’s used in lots of different recipes ranging from savory to sweet and everything in between.
It’s heaven in sauces, adding a perfect touch of thickness and when it comes to desserts, nothing else comes close. Mascarpone is a delight in cheesecakes, or as a creamy, decadent topping on a ruby red ripe bowl of berries.
But no matter how you want to use it, you’ll need to have some idea of how long you’ll have to do so and that’s what this article is all about!
If you’ve already opened it, mascarpone cheese will last approximately 5-7 days if kept in the refrigerator after opening.
It’s important to understand that this is not the same thing as the “best by” dates usually applied to product labels. This date only applies to mascarpone cheese that has not yet been opened.
Once the seal has been broken, this date listed no longer applies.
We’ve included information from some of the most popular brands on the market, including BelGioioso Mascarpone Cheese, Galbani Mascarpone Cheese and Vermont Creamery Mascarpone to give you the very best info possible on this delicious cheese.
How Long Does Mascarpone Cheese Last Unopened?
The BelGioioso brand has conducted extensive studies that help the determine how long mascarpone will last when its unopened after manufacturing. All of their cheeses display a “best by” date which tells you how long you can wait to eat an unopened container.
You may eat the cheese any time up until the date shown.
Can I Use Mascarpone Past its Expiration Date?
BelGioioso states that there is little risk in tasting a cheese that has passed the “best by” date except that you may notice a difference in flavor. If you notice a sour taste or smell, or the cheese is more watery than you would expect, it may be an indication that your mascarpone cheese is off.
Since mascarpone is a fresh, high fat cheese with a high water content, the difference in taste may be more noticeable than it would be with low moisture cheeses like parmesan which typically have “best by” dates of about one year on the label.
Does Mascarpone Need to Be Refrigerated?
According to BelGioioso, since mascarpone is a fresh cheese made with natural ingredients, refrigeration is necessary when not being eaten or used in a recipe.
Leaving mascarpone out of the refrigerator for extended periods of time can lead to changes in taste and texture of the cheese and cause fermentation to speed up.
Can You Leave Mascarpone at Room Temperature?
Yes, mascarpone cheese can be left out at room temperature, but it’s best to limit the time to needed to eat it immediately or add it to your recipe.
The reason for this is that due to its high moisture and fat content, mascarpone cheese may be subject to certain changes in its consistency if left at room temperature for long periods of time.
These changes can include the overall shape of the cheese and shifts to in the water content.
Why Did My Mascarpone Curdle?
Being a higher fat cheese, mascarpone has a tendency to curdle easily if mixed with other ingredients that are a different temperature. The best way to prevent this is to make sure that any ingredients you are using (including mascarpone) are as close to room temp as possible.
Basically, adding any liquid quickly will speed up this process, so it’s best to add mascarpone slowly. If done too soon, the mixture will emulsify causing the cheese to curdle (or split).
Links to Popular Mascarpone Cheese Makers
If you’d like more information on mascarpone cheese and how to handle it, we’ve included some helpful links to some of the larger manufacturers below or for a more in-depth look at the major brands, check out our post on it.
BelGioioso Mascarpone
- Product Info – https://www.belgioioso.com/Products/Mascarpone
- Handling Info – https://www.belgioioso.com/Cheese-Info
Galbani Mascarpone Cheese
Miceli’s Mascarpone Cheese
- Product Info – http://www.miceli-dairy.com/products.html