Proper organization of storage of hard and soft rennet cheeses
At its core, rennet cheese is a food product that is obtained by using milk and rennet.
To prevent hard rennet cheese from spoiling, it is necessary to properly organize its storage. Read on for more details.
What it is?
Rennet, which is used in the production of cheese, is an extract obtained from the stomach of a calf or kid. It is added in very small quantities to milk to curdle it. This component does not affect the taste or other qualities of the cheese.
This enzyme is not even mentioned on the packaging label in the “composition” section. for the reason that it is used only at the initial stage of product preparation. Subsequently, it remains in the separated serum. Depending on the technology used, you can get soft or hard rennet cheese.
Conditions
Rennet cheese is a perishable dairy product that requires proper storage.
Optimal conditions for keeping are those created in the refrigerator. Temperature ranges from 0 to 4°C. Relative humidity should be 85-90%.
Additionally, the product needs proper packaging, which will stop oxidative processes, prevent weathering, and the exchange of odors with other products.
Hard varieties have a dense consistency. This variety includes “Cheddar”, “Dutch” and some others. For storage, each piece is separately wrapped in parchment and foil.You can also use tightly sealed containers.
It is best to store hard cheese as a whole piece. This way the product can last longer than slicing.
Soft cheeses are a healthy milk-containing product that contains many vitamins. If the product is in its original packaging, then it is better to send the cheese in it for storage. Soft brined cheeses should be left in the same brine in which they were purchased..
Deadlines
The shelf life of cheese is determined by its type, the presence or absence of packaging and storage conditions. For products that are in sealed original packaging and stored in the refrigerator, the shelf life should not be longer than that specified by the manufacturer.
Freezing
It is not advisable to freeze rennet cheeses. Exposure to low temperatures leads to after defrosting, the product will partially lose its aroma, taste and consistency.
When forced freezing, each piece is packaged separately. Cheese can be stored at subzero temperatures for up to six months. Defrosting should be as gentle as possible, without shock methods. The product is transferred from the freezer to the refrigerator shelf in advance for gradual thawing.
In the future, it is advisable to use the defrosted piece not fresh, but for preparing dishes that are subject to heat treatment. This could be, for example, pies.
5 recommendations
Experts advise on storage take into account the following recommendations:
- Different types of cheeses should be stored separately from each other, paying attention to careful packaging. This is especially important for those species that have a distinct, intense odor.
- You should not eat an expired product or one whose quality is in doubt.
- Brine varieties should not be removed from the brine in advance. Otherwise, they will quickly dry out and deteriorate.
- It is not advisable to extend the shelf life of cheese by freezing.
- If you don’t have a refrigerator, you can store cheese if you first wrap it in cotton cloth soaked in saline solution. Place the product in a cool, dark place with good air circulation. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the fabric with which the piece is wrapped does not dry out.
Conclusion
Rennet cheeses are a fairly wide group of products, each of which has its own unique taste and aroma. Using cheese as food fresh and as part of heat-treated dishes will diversify your diet and enrich it with useful substances.