Recommendations from cheese makers and technologists on how long cheese can be stored at room temperature
Cheese is quite capricious in terms of storage conditions and periods. Even when in the refrigerator, this product requires a special temperature regime in order to remain tasty, healthy and, most importantly, fresh.
However, it is not always possible to provide him with ideal conditions. What to do in such cases and what actions need to be taken? Read this article about storing cheese at room temperature.
Content
How to keep warm?
If there is a need to store cheese at room temperature, It is recommended to take care of the following:
- Choose the coolest place in the room, protected from direct sunlight. It is advisable that the air temperature here does not exceed 15? C. This could be a covered veranda, a shaded terrace, or a dark storage room.
- If possible, do not open the original packaging. This gives a better chance of keeping the product fresh longer. The exposed block can be wrapped in foil, parchment or cotton cloth soaked in a cold salt solution.
- Wrap the cheese in paper, place in an airtight container and place it in ice water. As soon as the water starts to warm up, it needs to be changed.
Shelf life without refrigeration
Different types of cheese usually have different shelf life. You must first focus on the information indicated on the packaging.
According to GOST standards, manufacturers have the right to independently determine shelf life, because it all depends on:
- the production technology used,
- recipes,
- equipment,
- raw materials and packaging.
Differences in storage time depend primarily on the product category:
| Cheese varieties | In a refrigerator | At room temperature |
| Solid pressed (Parmesan, Pecorino, Gruyere, Beemster) | Up to 6 months After opening the package up to 2 weeks | No more than 7 days |
| Semi-hard (Cheddar, Edam, Tilsiter, Russian, Dutch, Maasdam, King Arthur) | Up to 4 months After opening the package up to 2 weeks | No more than 6-7 days |
| Soft (Bree, Ricotta, Mascarpone) | Up to 1.5 months After opening the package up to 3 days | Up to 2-3 days |
| Brine (Haloumi, Chechil, Suluguni) | Up to 2 weeks After opening the package up to a week | No more than a day |
| Fused (Viola, Hochland, Amber, Friendship) | Up to 6-7 months due to the large number of preservatives After opening the package no more than 5 days | Up to 2 days (dries out quickly and deteriorates) |
Worried about the temperature regime, we often forget about the humidity level, but this is a very important indicator for such a “living” product as cheese. At high humidity it will deteriorate faster, especially at room temperature. Ideally, it should not exceed 85%.
How can you tell if a product has gone bad?
At temperatures above 15? C and high humidity, pathogenic microflora begins to actively develop in the product. At low humidity levels, cheese, on the contrary, dries out faster.
How to find out whether a product has already spoiled or is still usable:
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The most important sign is appearance. Mold (not at all noble) appears on spoiled cheese.Mucus, a heavily weathered cut, visible stains, and changes in color indicate that the product can no longer be eaten.
- The appearance of an uncharacteristic odor unusual for this variety, a feeling of mustiness, dampness. Such a repulsive “amber” is a good reason to throw away the cheese without regret.
- If you have doubts about external signs, then tasting it will put everything in its place. The taste of missing cheese may have a hint of bitterness and acidity, which a fresh product should not have.
The more preservatives used in the production of cheese, the longer it will be stored in airtight packaging, even at room temperature. However, who would want to purchase a product with an obviously chemical composition? Of course, we want to buy cheese without additives and be sure of its benefits and safety.
Conclusion
Cheese is a capricious product that should not be stored outside the refrigerator. For different types of cheese, the temperature regime and shelf life may vary. The harder the type of cheese, the greater the chance of enjoying its freshness and taste longer.
When storing cheese at room temperature, it is important to follow the recommendations of cheese makers and technologists. You can identify a spoiled product by external signs, smell and taste.
Following all the rules, it is important first of all to pay attention to the information on the packaging. The manufacturer usually indicates the temperature conditions required for the product.
