Who doesn't like Cheese? Everyone likes it! Of course, you don't have to love all the cheese that's out there. We doubt many people like the smelly funky cheeses like the blue cheese. But this is no excuse to not know how to store cheeses. We know we are calling out all the cheese lovers by saying this, but how many of you actually know the proper way to store cheese?
Jump to:
- Method One: Wrap your Cheese up!
- Method Two: Cheese in a container
- Commonly asked questions about storing Cheese
- There is some mold on my hard cheese. Should I throw it all away?
- I touched the brine of my soft cheese with a dirty spoon. What should I do?
- Can I use water for Brine?
- How do I store grated Cheese?
- My cheese is smelling like Melon. Why?
- Can't I leave the Cheese in my freezer?
- Can I directly wrap my cheese in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge?
And no, keeping them in a fridge is not proper storage of cheese!
So let us teach all you cheese lovers how to store your cheese the way it is meant to be. So that the next time you have a cheese platter and get leftovers, you'll know what to do with them.
Cheese is one of the most delicate dairy products and if you don't store them the right way, your precious cheddar can end up smelling like rotting blue cheese. You don't want that, do you?
But don't worry, because we have prepared a guide which covers everything, from how to wrap up your cheese, depending on what cheese type it is. Because every cheese is a precious little snowflake and deserves special care!
Method One: Wrap your Cheese up!
This method works for your hard cheeses since they won't get squashed if you wrap them up. Cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and to an extent hard Mozzarella can be stored by this method.
1. First thing first, remove the plastic wrapping that comes with cheese when you buy it. That plastic wrapping will suffocate your poor cheese and also give it a bad plastic taste if left long enough. So the first step is to remove any plastic that might be on your cheese. Be gentle about it as you don't want to break your cheese. Even if it's a hard cheese, they are still vulnerable to getting squished. If your cheese comes with wax or cheese paper wrapping, then no need to do this step.
2. Next smell the cheese. If it has a weird chemical smell to it, then remove the top layer of that area. This will ensure your cheese lasts longer in storage.
3. Now wrap the cheese in either cheese paper, wax paper, or parchment paper. Make sure your cheese is securely wrapped on all sides. Secure the wrapping with tape for added security. If your cheese already came in such packaging, then you don't need to do this!
4. All you need to do now is to label your cheese with its name and date! This will help you keep a track of your cheese! Use a sticker label or a permanent marker to write it down on your cheese wrapping.
5. As the final step, wrap up your cheese in plastic wrap. Yes, we know it's already wrapped, but this plastic wrap will make sure your cheese doesn't get the flavoring of
whatever is inside the fridge. Now your doubly wrapped cheese is ready to go in the fridge! Store it in your fridge's drawer, where it can easily last for a month!
Method Two: Cheese in a container
This method works the best with soft cheeses like Cream cheese, Brie cheese, and fresh Mozzarella. Since you can't wrap them up, storing them in a secure container will make sure to keep their soft shape intact!
1. First you would need a container. We suggest you avoid using plastic as it can affect the flavor of your cheese. You don't want your soft cheese to have a chemical taste. This is why glass containers are the best.
2. Make sure the glass container you choose is completely airtight. This is so that the brine of the cheese doesn't evaporate away and to keep all the moisture in. Otherwise, your soft cheese will go dry!
3. Label the container with the cheese's name and its date. Store it in your fridge's drawer. 4. Since it's a soft cheese, it will not last as long as hard cheeses. Make sure that you dispose of the soft cheese after two weeks.
Commonly asked questions about storing Cheese
There is some mold on my hard cheese. Should I throw it all away?
Just cut around the moldy area and remove it with a knife. Make sure to keep your cut one-inch deal to ensure the mold leaves no trace. There's no need to throw away the whole cheese. Only throw away the cheese if the mold has a bad odor and is dark greyish or blackish in color! Also, if there is mold on your soft cheese, then yes, throw it all away. There is no rescuing soft cheese from a mold.
I touched the brine of my soft cheese with a dirty spoon. What should I do?
You'd have to replace the brine if you touched it with a dirty spoon or your hand since the brine is now contaminated and can spoil your soft cheese. It's also really simple to replace it! Just drain out the brine using a cheesecloth or a strainer over the sink. Then fill up your container with a new brine and seal it again with the soft cheese securely inside.
Can I use water for Brine?
No, you can't as it will spoil the soft cheese. And making your own brine is super easy too! Just dissolve one tablespoon of salt into 700ml of water. You can make the brine stronger by adding more salt to preserve the soft cheese for a longer duration, but that will also make your cheese taste saltier.
How do I store grated Cheese?
If you are looking to store your grated parmesan or mozzarella, then simply store them in an air-tight container in the drawer of your fridge!
My cheese is smelling like Melon. Why?
Check your fridge and see where you stored your cheese. If there is a melon in the vicinity, you know your answer! Remember, strong-smelling things like melons and curries should be stored as far away from your cheese as possible.
Can't I leave the Cheese in my freezer?
You can, but we suggest not too as frozen cheese is possibly the worst way you can eat your cheese. The best place to store your cheese is the vegetable crisper of your fridge or your drawer. The temperature is cold and stable here, which is perfect for any kind of cheese, hard or soft.
Can I directly wrap my cheese in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge?
Absolutely not if you don't want your cheese to taste like chemicals and go bad fast. You should always wrap your first in wax paper or cheese paper, and then wrap it up with a plastic wrap.
Direct contact of plastic with cheese is bad for your cheese and will make it taste like plastic. So the first thing you should do when you get cheese from the supermarket is to remove all plastic wrappings from it and then store it properly with the method we have told you!
Whether you love just one variety of cheese or you are an equal opportunity cheese lover who likes even American cheese, it is imperative that you know how to store and handle your cheese. Because if you love something then you should also know how to take care of it! We hope our cheese storage and care guide has been of help to you for the next time you buy cheese and are looking to keep it for a long time!
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