Cheese

Cheese can be stored for several months or several hours. It all depends on the storage location and type of product.

Some conditions have been developed for hard varieties, and others for soft varieties.

If all storage rules are followed, the fermented milk product will retain its freshness and taste longer. We will tell you more about how to store cheese, what methods are used for storage, in the article.

GOST and SanPiN requirements

Quality standards for fermented milk products were developed by GOST and SanPiN. Terms and conditions of storage cheeses are regulated by the following documents:

1. R 52686-2006 “Cheeses. General technical conditions".
2. 32260-2013 “Semi-hard cheeses. Technical conditions".
3. R 53421-2009 “Brine cheeses. Technical conditions".
4. SanPiN 2.3.2.1324-03 “Hygienic requirements for shelf life and storage conditions of food products.

According to GOST, storage conditions cheeses are:

1. Solid varieties. Can be stored for no longer than 10 days at home. It is recommended to regularly check such products for mold.
2. Processed products.Can be stored for up to 2 days if opened.
3. Soft varieties. Stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 days.
4. Brine varieties. Must be stored in brine. The shelf life in the refrigerator is no longer than a day.

According to GOST, cheeses must be stored at a certain temperature and humidity. If the specified parameters are not met, the product will quickly deteriorate. Read more Here And here.

Conditions

The shelf life of cheese depends on the type and location of the product. A homemade product will deteriorate faster than an industrial product. The shelf life of hard varieties is longer than that of soft ones. Read about cheese expiration dates Herehow to properly store the product - herehow to store hard and semi-hard varieties - Here.

Homemade

This product does not have a long shelf life because it was not prepared under sterile conditions.. Also, when preparing it, a strict recipe is usually not followed.

Read more in this article.

Rassolnogo

Brine cheeses are so called because they are cooked in salty brine. Such products include feta cheese, suluguni, mozzarella and other varieties. Each of these cheeses has its own expiration date. Read about organizing the storage of pickled cheeses here, about preparing brine - Here.

Adyghe

The shelf life of Adyghe cheese does not exceed 3-5 days at temperatures up to +6 °C. The product must be stored in a closed container and in a cool place (refrigerator, cellar, balcony).

For storage, it is better to choose enameled, polyethylene or plastic containers.It is not recommended to store Adyghe cheese in a plastic bag - this will shorten the shelf life of the product.

The shelf life of Adyghe cheese in vacuum packaging is 30 days. It is not advisable to use it after this expiration date. Read about product expiration dates here, smoked - Here, about freezing - here.

Brynza

The shelf life of cheese depends on the packaging:

1. Enameled container. The cheese is placed in such a bowl, first wrapped in foil. The shelf life of the product will be 14 days.
2. Plastic container. Bryndza can be stored in it for up to 3 days at a temperature from +1°C to +5°C.
3. Factory packaging. Without opening the package, the store-bought product will remain fresh until the expiration date indicated on the package. After opening the shell, the cheese must be consumed within 65 days.

Details - in this article.

Suluguni

Low-fat brine cheese suluguni should be stored in the refrigerator only in brine. The product must be completely immersed in the liquid. The best way to store the product is in glass containers, which can be covered with cling film on top.

Outside the refrigerator, suluguni can be stored for no longer than 24 hours. The exact shelf life depends on the type of cheese:

1. White. Can be stored in a saline solution on refrigerator shelves for up to 14 days.
2. Smoked. This product can be stored in closed packaging for up to 60 days. After opening, smoked suluguni is stored for no more than 7 days.

Read about storing Suluguni cheese Here, about its freezing - here.

Pigtail

Also called Chechil. It tastes close to suluguni. The braid can be white or smoked. This product is stored in the refrigerator at +4 °C.

It is better to wrap the braid in cling film first. This way the cheese won’t spoil and will stay fresh longer.

This product can be stored in vacuum packaging for up to 2 months.. Unlike other brine varieties, the braid does not have to be stored in brine. After opening the package, chechil is best consumed within 2-3 days. Read about storing pigtail cheese in this article about its freezing - in this.

Feta

Stored exclusively in brine and exclusively in the cold. It is best to store cheese immersed in the liquid the cheese was in when purchased.

The shelf life of the product when opened is 5 days.. At temperatures up to + 5°C degrees, it is best to keep feta in a glass jar filled with brine. In unopened packaging on the shelves of the refrigerator, this cheese can be stored for up to 2 months. More detailed terms are indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. Details - Here.

Mozzarella

Famous Italian cheese with a short shelf life. In order for the product to retain its properties for as long as possible, it must be stored entirely in brine. It is better to first pour the liquid into a glass container. Mozzarella is immersed in brine so that the balls are completely immersed in the liquid.

Read about storing mozzarella in this article about freezing - in this.

Burrata

Like mozzarella, this stretch-brine cheese is prepared in Italy. And also this soft product is perishable. But if mozzarella is prepared in the form of balls, then buratta is made in the form of bags.

Next, they are placed in closed, sealed containers with brine. In the refrigerator at a temperature of +4°C to +6°°C, burrata is stored for only 2-4 days. It is not recommended to store this product at room temperature. Read more here.

Smoked

Smoked cheeses last longer than other varieties. In its original packaging, this product can remain fresh for up to six months at temperatures from 0 to +4°C. After opening, the products are suitable for consumption for a month. More details - Here.

Grated

The grated product is stored for no longer than 12-24 hours.. Even if it is in the refrigerator, this product quickly becomes weathered, becomes crusty and becomes unsuitable for cooking. Read more about storing grated cheese here, about freezing - Here.

With mold

Blue cheeses love moisture. It’s good if this figure is 85-90%. It is better to store the purchased product in its original packaging. Mold on the surface of these products quickly spreads to other types of cheese lying nearby.

Therefore varieties Brie, Camembert and others are best stored separately from other varieties, in a container with a tightly closed lid. He will tell you about storing blue cheese this article about freezing - this.

Bree

Uncut, this cheese can be stored in packaging for up to six months. But it is best to consume it within 84 days. After this expiration date, the quality of the product noticeably decreases.

After cutting, the remaining part must be removed from the package and wrapped in parchment. Next, the cheese is stored in the refrigerator at temperatures up to + 5°C. The storage duration does not exceed 3 days. Read more about storing brie cheese here, about freezing - Here.

Camembert

I kiss the head of this cheese It is better to store in the original box rather than in a closed plastic container. Camembert can also be stored wrapped in wax paper. If stored properly on the refrigerator shelves, this product can last 1-2 weeks.

Optimal storage temperature is from + 5°C to + 8°C. Camembert will stay fresh longer if you pack it using a vacuum sealer. In this case, its shelf life increases to 1.5-2 months.

It will tell you how to store Camembert this article on how to freeze - this.

Curd (Cremette)

In sealed original packaging, this cheese can be stored for 2-3 months.. The exact shelf life is indicated on the packaging. After opening the package, curd cheese is stored for 1-3 days.

Cremette should not be stored in an open container - this will spoil it faster. After opening the package, the product must be placed in a glass or ceramic container. The container must be covered with a transparent film or lid.

It is not recommended to store curd cheese at room temperature - it will begin to deteriorate by the end of 1 day. Read about storing Cremette cheese here, about its freezing - Here. Will tell you about the shelf life of curd cheese this article about freezing - this. You can find out how to freeze Hochland here.

Tofu

Soy milk product. Stored in vacuum packaging for several weeks. The exact expiration dates are indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

After opening the package, store the tofu in the refrigerator. At temperatures from 0 °C to +6 °C this product will remain fresh for 3-5 days. The same conditions apply to fried tofu.

Read about the nuances of storing tofu Here, about freezing - here.

Fused

These cheeses often contain vegetable fats. That's why these products are not too picky about storage conditions. In a cool, dry place with good ventilation, processed cheese can stay fresh for up to six months.

The optimal storage temperature is from +2 to +4 °C. The shelf life of processed cheese is indicated on the packaging. When wrapped in aluminum foil, processed cheese can be stored in a sealed package for up to 75 days. Products in polymer cups - up to 60 days. Sliced ​​processed cheeses can be stored for up to 3 months.

After opening the package, processed cheese is best consumed within 5 days. Read about the shelf life of processed cheese Here, about storage without refrigeration - here, about freezing - Here.

Russian

Like the Dutch variety, Russian stored in the refrigerator at temperatures from -4°C to 0°C with air humidity 85-90%. In vacuum packaging, such a product will last up to 120 days. Without packaging - up to 60 days.

Russian cheese with opened packaging can be stored for up to 8 days. Secrets of storing Russian cheese will be revealed this article.

Lambert

This hard cheese, popular among customers, can remain fresh in its original packaging for up to six months. After the packaging has been opened, the product remains fresh for up to 2 weeks at temperatures from 0 to +6°C.

To extend the shelf life of Lambert cheese, it is better to wrap it in food paper. A product packed using a vacuum sealer can be stored for up to 1 month.. Read about storing Lambert cheese here, about freezing - Here.

Sausage

Smoked sausage cheese must be stored in the refrigerator at low temperatures. Optimal values ​​are from + 4°C to +8°C. Sausage cheese wrapped in cling film can be stored for up to 4 months. Product in paraffin packaging - no more than 2 months. Details - in this article.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia soft cheese Stores in sealed packaging for up to 4 months. Once opened, it must be consumed within 7 days. Philadelphia, prepared at home, can be stored for up to 5 days. Storage temperature - +2°С to +4°С. The rules and shelf life of Philadelphia cheese are discussed in this article, frosts - in this.

Rennet

Rennet cheeses are those that are made using rennet. It is extracted from the stomach of lambs, calves and kids. Rennet cheeses can be soft or hard.

The shelf life of rennet cheese depends on the storage conditions of the product, its type and quality.. Hard cheeses can be stored at temperatures from 0°C to +4°C for up to 6 months. Brined rennet cheeses are stored in whey or brine, immersed in glass or enamel containers.

After opening the package, hard rennet cheeses are best consumed within 15 days, soft varieties - within 10 days. Details - here.

Parmesan

Parmesan cheese can dry out quickly on refrigerator shelves. To prevent this, a piece of product is wrapped in damp cotton cloth. The top of the resulting package should be wrapped in foil. In this package, Parmesan will remain fresh for several weeks.

This cheese should not be stored too close to the freezer.. Also, do not store Parmesan in plastic bags. The crushed product can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.Storage temperature - from +4°C to +8°C. Vacuum-packed Parmesan can be stored in the refrigerator for 6 months or longer. Read about storing Parmesan Here, about freezing - here.

Maasdam

After opening the package, Maasdam is stored for no more than 10 days in the refrigerator at a temperature not exceeding +6°C. It is best to keep it in an airtight container or a special cheese bowl. The product in its original packaging will remain fresh for up to 2 months. Maasdam will talk about freezing this article.

Halloumi

This product is stored in brine. You can add salted water to the liquid. Halloumi cheese is ideal for frying. It holds its shape, does not spread and fries evenly until golden brown.

Halloumi can be stored without refrigeration in containers or in closed jars, immersed in a saline solution. Under such conditions, the product will remain fresh for up to several months. The optimal storage temperature on refrigerator shelves is from 0°C to +6°C.

How to store and whether halloumi cheese can be frozen will tell you this article.

Dutch

The storage temperature for Dutch cheese in the refrigerator varies from -4°С to 0°С at air humidity 85-90%. If air humidity drops to 80%, the temperature rises from 0°C to + 6°C.

After opening the package, it is recommended to wrap the product in parchment and place this package in a glass container. The top of the container is covered with a sealed lid. You can also use food-grade plastic containers for storage.

It is recommended to consume the purchased product in its original packaging within 30 days.. Once opened, Dutch cheese will remain fresh for 1-2 weeks. Details - here.

Deadlines

The shelf life of cheese depends not only on the type of product, but also on storage conditions.

After opening the package

After opening, you can leave the cheese without the store packaging only if the packaging was vacuum sealed. Otherwise, the product must be transferred to enamel or glass containers. You can also wrap the cheese in foil or parchment.

After opening the package, the shelf life of the cheese depends on its type. Hard varieties last longer than brine varieties. The average shelf life of semi-hard and hard cheeses after opening is up to 10 days. Soft pickled cheeses are best consumed within 3-5 days after opening. Details - Here.

Sliced

Store-bought sliced ​​cheese is usually packaged in disposable containers. The shelf life of such a product in the refrigerator is from 12 to 24 hours. If the buyer purchased a whole piece and cut it into portions, the product must be well packaged.

Read more here.

Packaged

The shelf life of packaged cheese in stretch film is:

• semi-solid and solid - no more than 7 days;
• soft - no more than 2 days.

Details - in this article.

Temperature

The average storage temperature for cheese ranges from +2°C to +4C°. The exact readings depend on the humidity in the storage. The higher it is, the lower the temperature - from 0°C to +4°C. The lower the humidity, the lower the temperature - from 0°C to +8°C. Read more Here.

Where should the product be placed?

The best place to store cheese is in the refrigerator.. But in the absence of a refrigerator, you can use other places.

Cabinets

A special cheese cabinet is a kind of climate control unit. Its purpose is not only to cool cheeses, but also to preserve its taste and aroma.

In a special cheese cabinet, the shelf life of products increases. Here the cheese can ripen and reveal all the boundaries of its taste and smell.

In the cheese cabinet, the air temperature is maintained in the range of up to + 8°C. There is always constant humidity here, so the cheese will not become moldy or dry out. An overview of chambers for ripening and storing cheese is presented in this article.

Fridge

Cheeses stay fresh longer on refrigerator shelves. But only if packaged correctly. Extreme cold is just as destructive to cheese as excessive heat. The optimal temperature for storing products in the refrigerator varies from 0°C to +6°C with a humidity of 85-90%. Otherwise the cheese will dry out quickly.

This fermented milk product is not recommended to be stored in the refrigerator next to pickles, sauces, eggs. Also, you should not place different types of cheese next to each other. Details - here.

Cellar, basement

Cheeses can be stored in a separate ventilated cellar with a temperature from -4°C to 0°C and a humidity of about 90%. If it is difficult to achieve these indicators, you can equip the room with air conditioning.

Depending on the type of cheese, you can store fermented milk products in the cellar from several days to several months. Before storing the product, it is better to pack it in foil or parchment.For convenience, it is recommended to store cheeses on special wooden racks. Read about storing cheese in the cellar here.

In the room

It is not recommended to store cheeses for a long time without refrigeration. To keep the product fresh longer at room temperature, There are several recommendations to consider:

1. Wrap a piece of cheese in natural cloth, previously soaked in saline solution.
2. Next, you need to transfer the piece of wrapped cheese to a place inaccessible to sunlight. If the cheese is planned to be stored for longer than a day, the fabric must be moistened daily with a salt solution.
3. You can also wrap the cheese in wax paper or parchment. Next, the piece is transferred to an airtight container and placed in a container with ice water.

At temperatures up to +15°C and humidity 90-95%, cheese outside the refrigerator can be stored for up to 3-5 days. How long can cheese be stored at room temperature? this article.

What is the right way to save?

Proper packaging of cheese will allow the product to stay fresh longer. Details - in this article.

Paper

Special cheese paper is best suited for storing fermented milk products.. This two-layer product allows the cheese to breathe and retains its moisture. If you cannot find such packaging, you can wrap the product in waxed or parchment paper. Read more here.

Capacities

To store cheese, it is better to choose containers made of glass, wood or ceramics. The dishes must be covered with a lid. Containers made of high-quality food-grade plastic are also suitable. It would be good if such containers had holes for air circulation. He will tell you about containers for storing cheese this article.

Packages

It is not recommended to store cheese in bags or film.. A fermented milk product must breathe, and such packaging deprives it of this opportunity. Cheese wrapped in film or bag is exposed to high humidity, which is detrimental to this product. More details - Here.

Is it worth freezing?

Cheese can be stored in the freezer, but not all varieties are suitable for aging at low temperatures. Read about freezing mascarpone Here, cream cheese - here, Goudas - Here, ricotta - here, goat - in this.

Which ones can you freeze?

Only semi-solid and hard varieties can be placed in the freezer. After defrosting, they hardly change their taste. These varieties include: gouda, cheddar, parmesan, etc.

Which ones are not allowed?

Freezing is strictly contraindicated for some cheeses. These include those foods that were prepared without fermentation. After defrosting, they acquire the consistency of curd mass.

Therefore it cannot be frozen the following types of cheeses:

• soft (mozzarella, Philadelphia);
• pasty (melted);
• with mold (brie, camembert);
• homemade products with expiration dates.

Will you tell me whether cheese can be frozen or not? this article.

Freezing rules

Before putting the cheese into the freezer, It is useful to consider several recommendations:

1. In order for the cheese to defrost faster in the future, it is useful to cut it into cubes before freezing.
2. In general, when putting in the freezer, the pieces should be such that they can be used within a week after defrosting. After this period, the product will begin to deteriorate.
3. Dutch and Russian cheeses, as well as Parmesan, can be stored in the freezer grated or using a food processor.Such shavings are stored in a plastic bag, which can be sealed tightly to prevent air from entering it.
4. You can also place cheese in ziplock bags.
5. An alternative is to wrap the piece in parchment paper, a vacuum bag, or place it in a plastic container.
6. It is permissible to freeze cheese in its original packaging.

Leaven

Bags of cheese starters and mold should be stored in the refrigerator. At a temperature not higher than +10°C, this product can be stored for up to 9 months. An open stick of starter cannot be stored. Details - Here.

In the warehouse and in the store - features

To keep cheeses fresh in warehouses and on refrigerator shelves, The following conditions must be met:

• specific temperature and humidity;
• adequate ventilation and lighting;
• compliance with the commodity neighborhood.
• Cheeses should not be stored in direct sunlight.

Shelf life depends on the variety cheese:

1. Soft with mold: at temperatures from 0°C to +6°C - no more than 10 days, at temperatures from -5°C to 0°C - no more than 30 days.
2. Solid. Stored at temperatures from 0°C to +8°C for up to 10 months.
3. Brine. Stored in brine at a temperature not exceeding +8°C: suluguni - 25 days, feta cheese - 75 days.
4. Fused. Stored at temperatures from 0°C to -4°C.
5. Sliced, sausage. Stored for up to 3 months at temperatures from 0°C to +8°C.
6. Pasty. Stored for up to 30 days at temperatures from 0°C to +8°C.

Storing cheese in a warehouse - in the photo:

Read about the rules for storing cheese in the store here, in production - Here.

Conclusion

Maintaining the required humidity and temperature conditions are the basic requirements for storing cheeses. You should also consider the type of fermented milk product and storage location.

Brine, soft and curd cheeses have different shelf life. If all requirements are met, the product will remain fresh and tasty longer.