Going back to the fridge for that last delicious morsel of cheese, and finding that it doesn’t taste quite as good as before can be really annoying. It is a very common occurrence though because cheese can go off very quickly if not stored properly.
A lot of cheese lovers think they know how to store cheese the right way, and while wrapping it up in plastic is not the worst idea, it is certainly not the most ideal. There are better ways to keep your cheese as fresh and sumptuous as the first day you tasted it. Follow these simple tips and be sure to always have fresh-tasting cheese in your fridge.
The Basics of Storing Cheese
Considering that there are literally hundreds of different kinds of cheese, from different parts of the world, and at times with extremely different properties, it would be wrong to assume they can all be stored the same way. Luckily there are a few handy tips that apply to all types of cheese in general.
Wrapping Up
Cheese preservation 101 comes down to how you wrap your cheese or perhaps, more importantly, knowing how you should NOT wrap your cheese. Never EVER store cheese in plastic wrap. Even if it came that way, do not keep it like that.
Plastic wrap imparts a taste to the highly vulnerable cheese and can alter the taste and texture in just a couple of days.
The most effective way to store your cheese is in cheese paper. If you don’t have that, wrap cheese in parchment or waxed paper and then loosely in plastic wrap or bag.
Breathability
Reread above and make sure that when you store cheese in cheese, wax, or parchment paper, it's not bound too tight and that, too, when you put your wrapped cheese in a plastic bag, it is loose. Why? Because if wrapped too tightly, the cheese will likely become too humid and sweaty, and far from keeping the cheese fresh, this will actually encourage the growth of molds.
Proper Temperature
Storing your cheese in the fridge is good, but extremely low temperatures will have a negative effect on its taste and texture. To be safe, store cheese in the vegetable compartment or in the warmest part of the refrigerator.
How To Store Different Types of Cheese
Different types of cheese require different ways of storing them. Be sure to know which of the following categories your cheese falls under, to ensure you store it in the best possible way.
Hard Cheeses
Hard Cheeses have the longest shelf life because the hard texture makes it difficult for bacteria and molds to spread. Double wrapping of parchment paper and plastic wrap should be enough, although it should not be allowed to sweat, otherwise molds will grow.
Semi-Hard To Hard Cheeses
Examples include Cheddar, Swiss, and Gruyere. You’ll want to get cheese paper for these.
Soft Cheeses
Soft cheeses are best stored in clean, airtight containers.
Fresh Cheeses in Water
For fresh cheese in water, leave the cheese in the original packaging, taking care to change the water every couple of days.
In Cheesy Conclusion
Storing cheese need not brie, sorry, BE a problem as long as you follow the relatively simple tips above. With an investment in proper wrapping material and containers, you can be sure to always have the freshest tasting cheese in your fridge. It’ll all be gouda (good)!
