Controversial point, or is it possible to freeze brie cheese?
Soft, creamy brie is a famous French cheese that got its name from the province where it began to be produced back in the Middle Ages.
Currently, several varieties of cheese are produced under the name “brie”.
The great popularity of the product is associated with the wide possibilities of its use - both as part of holiday dishes and as an addition to a regular meal.
We'll tell you later whether it's possible to freeze brie cheese.
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Is it possible to freeze?
Like most soft cream cheeses, brie does not last very long. If it is not maintained correctly, bacteria begin to develop very quickly, rendering the product unusable and making it unsafe for health.
Freezing is the process of exposing a product to extremely low temperatures.. Soft cheeses, including brie, contain a large percentage of water, which, when frozen and then thawed, affects the structure of the fibers.
As a result, the cheese becomes drier and even crumblier. If the brie is not properly packaged in the freezer, it will dry out a lot and lose a significant part of its quality.
If there is an excess of the product at home, and you can’t do without freezing, It is important to follow certain rules:
The fresher the brie is before placing it in the freezer, the better.- Packaging prepared for the freezer must be sealed. You can use cling film and foil as a top layer.A plastic container with a lid will also work.
- A label indicating the freezing date of the product must be attached to the packaging.
When organizing freezing, you can choose the following options:
- whole wheel;
- in pieces.
Each of these options has its pros and cons. The final choice in favor of one of the methods should take into account the planned further use of the workpiece.
Freeze in one piece
Freezing in a large piece is easier and faster, but it is important to take into account that the entire portion will be defrosted.
Separate packaging
When frozen in individual small pieces, you can wrap each of them separately in cling film and put them in a common container.
This will allow you to take out as much product as you need in the future, leaving the rest in a container in the freezer. With this organization, individual bars will not stick together and will be stored very compactly.
Common for each piece
There is another option for storing brie cheese in the freezer in separate pieces.
The procedure will be as follows:
Cut pieces into desired size.- Prepare a cutting board (baking tray) of such size that it can be placed in the freezer.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Arrange the pieces of cheese so that they do not touch each other.
- Freeze the baking sheet.
- After the cheese has frozen, remove the baking sheet.
- Place all the pieces into one container.
- Sign the date.
- Place the container in the freezer.
This method can only be used if there are no foreign odors in the freezer, much less strong odors that could be absorbed by the cheese during initial freezing on a baking sheet.
Why is it not recommended to store in the freezer?
Even short-term exposure to low temperatures does not pass without consequences for brie. Cheese is very sensitive to low temperatures, so after defrosting it will no longer have the original consistency and taste.
Product storage rules
The shelf life of brie depends largely on the packaging and storage conditions. Cheese is best stored in unopened sealed original packaging.
The expiration date is always indicated by the manufacturer, and in most cases is up to two months.. After opening the package, the dairy product can remain in the refrigerator for no more than a week.
If brie is frozen, the shelf life is extended to a maximum of 4 months. After defrosting, it is recommended to consume the cheese within a couple of days, or better yet, immediately.
The following storage options are also possible:
- freezing unbaked brie in puff pastry,
- freezing baked brie in puff pastry, etc.
Such semi-finished products can then be used to quickly prepare pies.
Conclusion
Freezing brie cheese for future use is controversial. If the product will be used in the future for baking and creating heat-treated dishes, this option is quite justified. In all other cases, the product is best used fresh.
