Spicy taste and delicious aroma: how to store smoked cheese?

Smoked cheese is a healthy product. It has a spicy taste and delicious aroma.

However, when purchasing it, you should keep in mind that, like all dairy products, it quickly deteriorates.

Therefore, it would be a good idea to learn about storing smoked cheese in the refrigerator so that it remains fresh for as long as possible.

How long is it stored?

The structure of smoked cheeses differs little from hard varieties. On average, their shelf life is about 4 months provided the original packaging is intact.

For this purpose, it is necessary to strictly observe the shelf life of cheese provided by SanPiN and indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. At the same time, packaging options for smoked products are no less important.

In a vacuum

This is the most reliable type of packaging material, ensuring tightness and safety of suitability:

1. The duration of storage of cheese in a vacuum shell is influenced by such factors as the integrity of the original packaging.

   According to GOST, smoked cheese before opening is from 45 days to 4 months, taking into account the period specified by the manufacturer.

2. After opening the factory vacuum packaging and subject to the recommendations for storing the product in the refrigerator, the shelf life is reduced to 7-10 days.But again, taking into account the information indicated on the packaging.
3. The storage of products packaged in vacuum packaging after factory portion cutting has its own characteristics. The manufacturer indicates the exact expiration dates for such a product on the label. But after opening it, portioned slices cannot be stored in the refrigerator for longer than 6-7 days.

Smoked cheese, stored as a whole head in industrial vacuum packaging, has a longer shelf life. When the right conditions are created, it remains suitable for up to 180 days.

In other packages

You can preserve the suitability of smoked cheese not only in a vacuum. In this case, the duration will depend on specific conditions, the most important of which is that the package should not be wet inside.

Eg:

• in a paraffin production shell, smoked cheese remains fresh for 60 days;
• in parchment paper the period is only 7 days;
• in foil - the same amount;
• in store-bought cling film, the freshness of smoked cheese does not exceed 3 days;
• cut slices, wrapped in a plastic bag and deprived of air, lose their nutritional value even faster, within 1-2 days.

Opened shelf life

It is generally not recommended to store smoked cheese open. The reasons for this are quite significant:

1. Its specific aromas are easily absorbed by products located nearby.
2. In addition, cheeses themselves quickly acquire foreign odors.
3. An uncoated product, especially without any packaging at all, will dry out very quickly.

   Therefore, it should be consumed within a few hours. If the cheese is chapped, its nutritional qualities are lost.

If you don't have parchment paper, foil or cling film, you can use a plastic bag. This will protect the products from chapping for a short time and prolong their freshness.

Temperature

The optimal temperature regime, which ensures the quality of smoked cheese and its suitability for consumption, is 6°C. This is the temperature maintained in the refrigerator compartment.

Besides, it is important to provide the product with the required level of humidity within 80-90%. Lower values ​​cause the cheese to dry out, while higher values ​​cause the product to become sticky and mold may appear on it.

Peculiarities

At home, smoked cheese can be stored in the refrigerator, freezer, or without using them. However, storing at room temperature is not at all an acceptable option, as dairy products quickly deteriorate.

In a refrigerator

The refrigerator shelf is the best place to keep smoked cheese fresh and suitable for consumption. It is here that the temperature conditions suitable for storing dairy products are maintained.

Temperature changes when opening it frequently negatively affect the quality of the product. Therefore, it should be located deep in the shelves of the rear wall of the refrigerator.

To ensure long-term storage, the following must be observed: rules after removing the original packaging:

1. Keep in mind that hot smoked products deteriorate faster than cold processed products.
2. Don't forget that large pieces stay fresh longer than small ones. Portion-cut cheese spoils most quickly.
3. The product should be placed in the refrigerator in a sealed container to eliminate the risk of mixing the odors of the products contained in the cabinet.

   To do this, it is recommended to use a special cheese pan made of glass or ceramics with a tight-fitting lid. You can also use a food container or a regular glass jar.

4. It is better to refuse a product with damaged packaging in the store, even if the expiration date is still valid.
5. It is not recommended to use cling film and plastic bags for packaging. The product must be allowed to “breathe”. However, to avoid the influence of extraneous odors from neighboring products and vice versa, the smoked product should first be wrapped in parchment and then placed in a plastic bag.
6. You can use special cheese paper or baking foil for storage in the refrigerator.
7. The product cannot be placed in the refrigerator without any packaging. It will dry out and acquire foreign odors.

Can it be frozen?

You can freeze smoked cheese. However, it is advisable to do this only if it is not possible to use it in the near future. When frozen, the nutritional value is preserved.

But under the influence of low temperatures the product dehydrates and loses its original structural features. As a result, it becomes unsuitable for serving after defrosting, loses its elasticity, crumbles, and its aromatic specific smell becomes less pronounced.

However, don't be upset. The frozen product is successfully used to prepare all kinds of dishes. At the same time, its shelf life can increase to 6 months. However, high-quality freezing requires compliance with simple but important rules.

Among them:

1. It is recommended to place portioned pieces or grated crumbs in the freezer in such quantities that can be used at a time immediately after defrosting.
2. Before loading into the freezer, the piece must be wrapped in parchment or food foil, then placed in a plastic bag.
3. Slices for making hot sandwiches should be placed in an airtight container, lined with baking paper or sprinkled with flour so that they do not stick together.
4. Cheese crumbles can be frozen in a glass container, first sprinkled with flour and shaken so that the powder is distributed evenly.
5. Thawing the cheese should occur gradually. To do this, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator shelf for several hours until completely thawed. After this, you can use the product to make pizza, croutons, casseroles, baked goods and sauces.

Conclusion

For high-quality storage of smoked cheese, you need to pay special attention to the expiration date when purchasing, and then create the necessary conditions that will ensure its freshness.

Ignoring advice on proper storage may result in serious poisoning. spoiled product.