What is the shelf life of processed cheese?

Processed cheese is a product of repeated processing of ordinary cheese (cottage cheese). The product has a plastic consistency and delicate taste.

Being a perishable product, it places quite strict requirements on storage rules.

We will talk about the terms, conditions and temperature of storage of processed cheese below.

Production Features

The main component in the production of processed cheese is an ordinary substandard cheese product, of high quality, but rejected due to some parameters. By grinding, adding butter, melting salts and other components, it acquires a plastic texture.

The whole variety of species can be divided into several main groups:

• pasty;
• sweet;
• sausages;
• chunky.

You can not only buy processed cheese, but you can also make it yourself.

This video will show you how to make processed cheese at home:

How long is it stored?

Processed cheese is a perishable product. The duration of its storage largely depends on the conditions of detention.

In a refrigerator

In a refrigerator, in unopened original packaging, the product can last up to six months on average.. Shelf life information must be indicated on the label.

After opening, the duration of storage is reduced to a couple of days, for smoked sausage - to 5-7 days.

Without refrigerator

Processed cheese is a product that should only be stored in a cool place.At room temperature it cannot lie for more than a few hours, in hot weather - up to an hour.

If it is not possible to immediately place the cheese in the refrigerator, it can be placed in a cool place with good air circulation.

An alternative option is to put it in a small container, place it in a bowl of cold water, and cover the top with a wet towel so that it does not come into contact with the product. At the same time, you should make sure that the water always remains cold. Read about storing processed cheese without refrigeration Here.

Conditions

Processed cheese, both in the factory and in the opened packaging, must be kept in a cool place. You should not designate the refrigerator door as a storage location, since frequent opening and closing of the door causes a constant change in temperature, which is undesirable.

In opened package

After opening the package, air access to the contents opens, and oxidative processes are started. To prevent the cheese from airing and drying out, it must be placed in parchment.

For pasty varieties, it is suitable to be in the same container in which they were originally packaged. A prerequisite is that the packaging must be covered. Contact of cheese with other products must be prevented.

In closed

If the packaging in which the product was purchased has not yet been opened, you can simply put it on a shelf in the refrigerator. In this form, processed cheese can be stored for the entire time specified by the manufacturer.

At what temperature?

For processed cheese the most suitable temperature is from 0 to 4°C, humidity should be up to 90%. Such conditions are provided by the refrigerator.

Processed cheese should not be frozen. Exposure to low temperatures leads to the product’s consistency being disrupted, its taste deteriorating and its aroma changing.

All pasty types cannot be frozen at all. In extreme cases, pieced types can be frozen, but after defrosting, such cheese will only be suitable for inclusion in dishes that will be cooked (pies, soups, etc.). The product can remain in the freezer for no more than six months.

7 useful tips

For better storage organization You should take into account the useful recommendations of specialists:

1. It is not advisable to buy the product in reserve and store it for a long time. Fresh is always preferable to one that has been sitting for more than one month.
2. If there are doubts about the quality (even with a good shelf life), you should not use it for food.
3. Spoiled cheese (with mold, mucus, etc.), even if it has undergone additional heat treatment, should be thrown away.
4. Products in damaged packaging and/or without an expiration date should not be purchased.
5. Natural processed cheese should not contain synthetic ingredients.
6. Different types of cheese should be stored separately.
7. Placing a piece of refined sugar there will help reduce high humidity in the place where cheese is stored.

An overview of containers for storing cheese is presented in this article.

Conclusion

Processed cheese allows you to diversify your diet. It can be used either solo or as part of other dishes.But it should be borne in mind that this is a recycled product and is less healthy than ordinary cheeses prepared according to the classic recipe.