How to freeze Parmesan cheese correctly and is it possible to do it?
Cheeses with a long ripening period are a delicious gourmet product. Parmesan is one of them. This is an Italian variety with a brittle texture, uneven cut and characteristic taste.
It is used not only as an independent dish, but also included in pizza, salads, sauces and other dishes. It goes well with various foods - wines, nuts, pears, etc.
We will tell you in this article whether it is possible to freeze Parmesan cheese and how to do it correctly.
Content
Is it suitable for freezing?
The name "Parmesan" comes from the French word parmesan. But the main original name is Parmigiano-Reggiano. This is a cheese with a rich history.
Complex manufacturing technology affects the cost of the product, which cannot be low. In this regard, it is all the more important to organize proper storage of such valuable cheese. The original parmesan is produced in very large heads, weighing about 40 kg, so the product, as a rule, arrives in the retail chain already packaged.
The ripening period for Parmesan is long, it can range from one to three years:
- Cheese that has matured for up to 1.5 years is considered fresh.
- The old one matures from 1.5 to 2 years.
- Very old - from 2 to 3 years.
Hard cheeses tolerate freezing much better than soft cheeses, as they contain little moisture. Parmesan contains less than 30%.But it contains many other useful substances and aromatic compounds characteristic of this type.
It makes sense to place Parmesan in the freezer if you definitely won't be able to use it in the near future. To ensure that the quality of the product does not suffer greatly, it must be frozen according to the rules.
How to freeze?
To organize long-term storage of cheese in the freezer, it is necessary to prepare both the cheese itself and the packaging. At the same time, stable conditions must be maintained in the freezer. For high-quality freezing, it is enough that the temperature is -18? C or even lower.
Preparation
Only high-quality, non-expired cheese can be frozen. It is recommended to pre-divide large pieces into separate portions, break off small portions, and pack them separately. This will allow you to defrost as much product in the future as you need for one use.
If you plan to use Parmesan for sprinkling dishes that will be baked, the cheese can be grated in advance and frozen in the form of shavings. This approach will allow you to use it immediately, without even waiting for it to completely thaw.
Package
When planning to freeze Parmesan cheese, care must be taken to ensure proper packaging. It must meet the following requirements:
- airtightness;
- water resistance;
- transfer of low temperatures;
- health safety.
For these purposes, you can use wax paper, a ziplock bag, etc. It is convenient to put the grated cheese in a bag, releasing as much air as possible from it. You can also use a plastic food container.
It is advisable to attach a label to the packaging indicating the freezing date.. If several types of cheese are frozen, you can additionally indicate the variety.
The less contact the cheese has with air in the packaging, the better the product will be preserved. If a plastic container is used, it should not be too large so that there is minimal free space in it.
How long to store in the freezer?
The dense texture of hard Parmesan cheese allows it to be kept in the freezer for a long time under conditions suitable for long-term storage. If you do not allow temperature changes, then cheese can remain frozen for up to six months without losing its quality and taste. Read about the shelf life of Parmesan cheese Here.
Defrosting features
It is important to defrost cheese that has been in the freezer properly. The preservation of all the qualities of Parmesan will largely depend on this.
It is gradual defrosting that allows you to preserve all the properties of the product as much as possible.. You should not try to speed up defrosting, as this can cause Parmesan to change both its consistency and taste. In this regard, defrosting methods associated with high temperatures are prohibited.
After defrosting, even a hard cheese like Parmesan can change its texture slightly and begin to crumble. Increased friability does not affect the taste, and the cheese can be successfully used to prepare sauces and various dishes.
Parmesan that has already been frozen cannot be returned to the freezer. It is advisable to use it as soon as possible, literally within 2-3 days. Wherein in the refrigerator it can be in parchment and in foil.
Grated cheese before freezing can not be completely defrosted, but used frozen for sprinkling.
Conclusion
It’s not for nothing that real Parmesan is called the king of cheeses. Exquisite, different from other types, it is produced using patented technology and belongs to valuable types.
If stored properly, such a product can last for a long time, including in the freezer., and after defrosting it will be able to bring flavor harmony to simple and difficult-to-prepare dishes.
