The risk of losing valuable properties, or is it possible to freeze Philadelphia cheese

Soft Philadelphia cheese appeared in 1872, first produced by American farmer W. Lawrence, using high quality cream and milk.

Thanks to its delicate creamy taste, this variety soon became popular throughout the world.

Is it possible to freeze Philadelphia cheese, and how freezing affects the quality of the product, we will tell you in the article.

Product Features

In addition to exquisite taste, Philadelphia has other advantages:

• production of the product does not require special costs;
• the cheese is ready to eat immediately after preparation;
• the creamy structure allows the cheese to be used as a butter substitute when making sandwiches.

Read about the rules and shelf life of Philadelphia cheese in this article.

Is it possible to freeze and why is it not recommended?

To extend the shelf life of cheeses and cheese products, they can be frozen.

This method is especially effective for hard and semi-hard cheeses, which practically do not lose their taste and texture when frozen and subsequently defrosted.

As for soft cheeses, they can be frozen, although this method is not recommended, and especially for Philadelphia.

Some people believe that Philadelphia should not be frozen at all. Nevertheless, this type of freezing method is used in certain cases, especially when it comes to preserving a large amount of product that cannot be consumed within the period specified by the manufacturer.

How does freezing affect quality?

When frozen and further defrosted, this cheese loses some of its valuable properties and quality.

These disadvantages include:

1. violation of the consistency of the product;
2. significant loss of aroma;
3. partial loss of the unique soft taste qualities characteristic of this product.

Changing texture

Philadelphia, like any other cream cheese, consists of a mixture of water, protein and milk fats. When water freezes, it forms ice crystals that can cause fats or proteins to stick together. As a result, the texture of the product becomes slightly grainy. The following methods will help you avoid the problem of grainy texture:

1. Soft defrosting of the product. Avoid sudden temperature changes when defrosting. It is best to give the Philadelphia the necessary time to defrost itself in the refrigerator, which prevents excessive water release.

   To do this, remove the packaging from the freezer, put it in a bowl and place it in the refrigerator until completely defrosted. The time factor should be taken into account: it may take up to 24 hours to completely defrost cheese in the refrigerator, which depends on the weight and size of the product.

2. Defrosting using a microwave. We rarely use the defrost function, which is provided in almost all models of microwave ovens.

   You just need to select a defrosting program based on the weight of the product, and the machine itself will determine the required process time, which will take a few minutes.

   The result is an excellent product, suitable for consumption, without overheating or overcooking.

   For safety reasons, be sure to remove the foil layer from the packaging and place the frozen mass in a microwave-safe container. If after the first cycle the Philadelphia is not completely defrosted, the process should be repeated and the defrosting program should be started again.

3. Defrosting under running water. This method is also effective if you need to defrost cheese quickly enough. Remove the packaging from the freezer, place it in a plastic bag, squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag, and roll it up. Place the bag in a large container and place under a strong stream of cold water until the container is filled with water.

   Then you should reduce the pressure to a thin stream, which will flow continuously while the defrosting process is in progress. This is necessary in order to constantly maintain room temperature of the water, which cools during the defrosting process of the cheese.

Improving defrosted

The creamy consistency of cream cheese can be restored to Philadelphia in one of the following ways:

1. Using a blender. Simply blend the thawed Philadelphia in a blender or food processor for 1-2 minutes.
2. Microwave. Place the product in a microwave-safe glass container and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring the cheese between intervals to avoid the formation of a dry crust. Continue the process until the cheese regains its creamy texture. Then transfer the product to an airtight container for further use or storage in the refrigerator.
3. By heating in a water bath. Place the defrosted product in a heat-resistant container and place it over a water bath on the stove.After this, place the cheese in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using it further. Stir the mixture thoroughly regularly until the cheese reaches a creamy consistency.

It requires additional heat treatment and Can be used in the following areas:

• as a filling for various types of baked goods (pies, cheesecakes, muffins, bagels, etc.);
• as a flavoring component of cream or cake icing;
• as an additive for soups, gravies or sauces.

How to store?

The exact shelf life of the product is indicated on the original packaging from the manufacturer, usually it is about 4 months. During this period, the product will not lose its quality if the integrity of the packaging is not compromised.

Expired goods must be destroyed: consuming them in any form can cause food poisoning or other digestive system disorders that are caused by dairy components contained in an expired product.

Philadelphia should not be refrigerated for more than a week after opening the package. It is recommended to keep it on the middle or bottom shelf of the refrigerator and eat it within the specified period of no more than 7 days.

Homemade Philadelphia can be stored for no more than 5 days. The most comfortable temperature for storing cheese is from + 5 to +8 ? C, and humidity is from 80 to 90%.

It is better to wrap the opened original packaging tightly in cling film or foil.to avoid possible loss of taste and aroma. As a last resort, a clean transparent cellophane bag will do.

If a clear liquid appears on the surface of the product, this is not a cause for concern.In this case we are talking about excess serum secretion. Simply stir the cheese and it will return to its original consistency.

Conclusion

You should buy enough Philadelphia that can be consumed within a week to avoid freezing the product, which, although possible, is still undesirable.

When storing in the refrigerator, it is not recommended to keep Philadelphia in close proximity to foods that have a strong aroma, since cheese can absorb foreign odors.

Sudden temperature changes should also be avoided when moving product from one place to another. Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to preserve the unforgettable refined taste and delicate texture of the cheese for the entire shelf life.