Tips on how to properly store cheese and ensure its freshness for a long time
In order for cheese to retain its freshness, taste and smell, it is necessary to provide the product with appropriate storage conditions.
With proper organization of content, the product will retain all its qualities for the maximum possible time.
We will tell you in this article how best to store cheese and how to increase shelf life.
Content
5 rules for long-term storage
Even very zealous housewives have situations when cheese, especially one purchased in large quantities, spoils even before it is needed.
To prevent this from happening, It is advisable to follow such advice from cheese makers:
- Purchase only high-quality products with a good shelf life.
- Store the product in suitable conditions.
- Pay attention to packaging.
- Do not use expired goods.
- Store each type of cheese separately.
Read about storing Parmesan here.
Where is the best place to keep it?
For cheese products, the optimal storage conditions are with a temperature from 0°C to +6°C, humidity of about 90% and protection from sunlight. Good ventilation is also needed.
It is best to store cheese in the refrigerator on a shelf. Alternatively a cool pantry or equipped cellar can be used with stable air temperature and humidity levels.
Read about storing cheese in the cellar here.
How to extend the shelf life of a product?
You can try to preserve cheese for a long time in various ways. The easiest option is to leave it in the original sealed packaging. In this form, the product can remain for the entire time specified by the manufacturer.
Read about storing cheese after opening the package. Here.
Brine
For brine varieties, it is necessary to ensure storage in the brine in which the cheese was purchased. Without being in liquid, such species will quickly begin to change their consistency and dry out..
A glass jar can be used for storage. If there is no solution, you can make it yourself by dissolving salt in water. During storage, the solution may become cloudy, then it should be replaced with a fresh one, and the cheese should be washed with clean water and only then filled with fresh solution.
The recipe for making brine can be seen in the video:
Sheep and goat
Sheep and goat cheeses have the shortest shelf life. Even in the refrigerator they should not be kept for more than 3 days.
Hard and semi-hard varieties
Hard and semi-hard varieties can in some cases be frozen.This option is possible if you plan to use cheese for baking, preparing sauces or other dishes that, according to technology, will be sent to the oven, stove or microwave.
Fused
Processed cheeses are packaged at the factory in plastic “tubs” or in foil. The product should be stored in this form.
If the cheese is flavored and has a distinct strong odor, packaging should be especially careful. Shelf life in containers after opening is up to 3 days.
Without packaging, processed cheese will dry out in a matter of hours. Read about the shelf life of processed cheese here, about storage without refrigeration - Here.
With mold
Delicious blue cheeses must be kept in reliable packaging - an airtight container, a vacuum plastic bag, etc. Such insulation is necessary to prevent the mold contained in the cheese from spreading to other products. Otherwise they will spoil very quickly. He will tell you about storing blue cheese this article.
Soft
Soft varieties have a short shelf life, and they are extremely sensitive to environmental conditions. If mold appears on a piece, you will have to throw it away entirely - simply cutting off the affected area will not help.
Curd
Curd cheeses don't last long in the refrigerator. Maximum – up to 2-3 days. Read about the shelf life of curd cheese here.
What should I do to prevent it from molding and drying out?
To prevent the cheese from molding and drying out, it is important to control the humidity level in the storage area and the type of packaging. If the humidity is too high, the cheese may begin to mold, and if the humidity is too low, it may dry out.
The packaging itself is also important.Polyethylene is not the best choice. It will protect the product from drying out, but the cheese may suffocate and disappear in it.
If the parchment or cheese paper does not stick to the piece and begins to unfold, the edge can be secured with tape. He will tell you about paper for storing cheese this article about containers - this.
Conclusion
Organizing storage will not be difficult if you approach the issue wisely. The easiest option is to use a refrigerator to store supplies and choose suitable packaging.
