King of cheeses: what are the terms and rules for storing Parmesan?

Parmesan is a delicious hard and dry cheese used in Italian cuisine. It is made from cow's milk.

This product has a pronounced texture and aroma, which is explained by the long ripening period: from 1 to 3 years.

Parmesan is used primarily for adding to pasta dishes and as a snack. The original taste and properties of the product can be preserved even when the packaging is opened, if the storage process is properly organized.

We'll tell you more about storing Parmesan cheese in this article.

Shelf life

Parmesan is a hard type of cheese that has a long shelf life in the conditions that suit it. For home use This product should be kept in the refrigerator.

In a refrigerator

Air temperature from +4 to +8? C is optimal for storing this type of cheese. Humidity should be up to 90%. These are the conditions that exist in the refrigerator.

The product can be stored in vacuum packaging for six months, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.

A large piece of cheese can last up to a month. When grinding – a week. If the cheese is vacuum packed independently, its shelf life can be up to 2 months.

An alternative to a refrigerator can be a basement or pantry.The selected location must fully meet the requirements for humidity and temperature, and also not allow sunlight to pass through.

It is also necessary to ensure that the product is protected from damage by rodents.. If the conditions, for example, in the basement are completely similar to the refrigerator, then the cheese can lie there for several months.

Without refrigerator

In room conditions, at a sufficiently high air temperature, even hard cheese will lose its quality. Parmesan cheese can last 1-2 days in a closed container. But if it is possible to move it to the refrigerator, then it is better to do so.

If you need to preserve the cheese, but you cannot use the refrigerator, You can use this recipe:

1. Prepare a container into which the piece fits completely.
2. Sprinkle salt on the bottom.
3. Put the cheese.
4. Sprinkle generously with salt.

Using salt is a last resort, as the product will retain its flavor and nutritional value, but will become saltier.

Packaged

In original packaging, without air access, Parmesan Can be stored for months in a cool place.

At the same time, the product will retain all its qualities, aroma and texture. After opening the store-bought package, it is best to place the parmesan on the refrigerator shelf, wrapped in parchment and foil.

When purchasing a piece of cheese without its original packaging, you should immediately transfer it from polyethylene to parchment.

Open

Parmesan cheese should not be stored without packaging. Even in the refrigerator, when opened, it will begin to dry out, losing its consistency. Also, without containers, nothing will prevent the exchange of odors with other products, which is very undesirable.

How to store it correctly?

One of the basic rules for storing cheese is to keep it in a cool place with moderate humidity. In domestic conditions, this is in the refrigerator, in appropriate packaging. Otherwise, the oxidation process will begin, which will immediately affect the taste and texture of the product.

Parchment and foil

In order for cheese to be stored in a household refrigerator, care should be taken to ensure quality packaging. The simplest option is wax paper (or parchment) and foil.

This approach will avoid moisture loss and prevent significant drying. Once the parmesan has been wrapped in parchment paper, the top is wrapped in foil.

Container

If you don't have parchment or foil, you can use a plastic container with a lid as a storage container.

The disadvantage of this method is the high probability of condensation formation. and increasing humidity. The container will need to be opened periodically to allow the product to “breathe.”

Gauze and foil

It is also possible to wrap a piece of cheese in damp gauze, folded in several layers. There should be a layer of foil on top.

Polyethylene

Cling film packaging is not suitable for long-term storage of Parmesan. To prevent the cheese from disappearing, it is better to abandon polyethylene in favor of more acceptable options.

Features for grated

Parmesan is a gourmet cheese that is often used as shavings to top pasta.Due to its dense texture, the product is difficult to cut; it is usually chipped or grated before use.

The cheese shavings are carefully wrapped in parchment and then in foil. It is advisable to use the workpiece as quickly as possible. To prepare dishes with cheese shavings, you need to grate exactly as much cheese as required, without excess.

How to extend the time?

In order for the cheese to be stored well for a long time, The following expert advice should be taken into account:

1. Parmesan is best stored in its original sealed container.
2. Not only the product itself, but also the packaging should not be allowed to get wet.
3. The larger the size of the piece, the better it is stored. Cheese shavings have the shortest shelf life.
4. Only fresh cheese that has not been in the refrigerator for a long time should be frozen.
5. If there are several pieces, each must be packaged separately.
6. Vacuum packaging allows you to preserve the product for a longer time. Sealing into a bag can be done even at home, if you have a special apparatus and the necessary bags.

Indicating the packaging date on the product will help control the time the cheese spends in the freezer or on the refrigerator shelf.

Freezing

Parmesan can be frozen in the freezer, if it is necessary to extend its shelf life. For household refrigerators – this is up to 3-6 months.

In this case, the temperature in the chamber should not be higher than -15, and preferably -20? C. If freezing is required for a longer period, industrial equipment must be used.

Recommendations for freezing:

• Divide the product into separate pieces and freeze them separately in bags intended for freezing;
• Place a label on each briquette indicating the freezing date;
• the packaging must effectively isolate Parmesan from contact with other products;
• conditions in the freezer should be stable, without sudden fluctuations;
• You should not re-freeze an already thawed product.

The less cheese is stored in the freezer, the better; you should not prepare it for future use.

Signs of damage

Like any cheese product, Parmesan can also go bad. This can be caused by improper storage and transportation, as well as ignoring the expiration dates indicated on the packaging.

The main signs of damage include the following:

• the appearance of mold;
• mucus and other inclusions uncharacteristic for the product;
• unpleasant odor;
• change in consistency;
• deterioration of taste.

Next you need to do the following:

1. Wrap the piece in a damp cloth (or soaked in saline solution).
2. Wrap the top in a plastic bag or cling film.
3. Leave in the refrigerator overnight.

After the manipulation, the cheese can be kept as usual, on the refrigerator shelf. This piece is no longer suitable for freezing. If nothing is done, the top layer will thicken and the cheese will become dry and hard.

If the cheese has spoiled for some reason, it is no longer possible to restore it. Such the product should not be eaten even after heat treatment.

Conclusion

Real Parmesan is an expensive product that is produced in northern Italy. The original patented technology makes it unique, allowing you to create genuine masterpieces of culinary art with its help.

Rich in microelements and vitamins, this cheese must be stored correctly and used before the expiration date.