An important parameter when organizing cheese storage is temperature.

foto51491-1 Cheese is a product that requires demanding conditions. One of the important points is the air temperature at the storage location.

Most types of cheese react poorly to both too high and too low readings that deviate from the norm.

If conditions are violated, the product quickly begins to lose its properties and deteriorate. We’ll talk about the storage temperature of cheese in the article.

Content

At what temperature can it be stored?
Shelf life of the product when kept in the refrigerator
Is it worth freezing?
Conclusion

At what temperature can it be stored?

Refrigerators, special chambers with air or pipe cooling, as well as equipped cellars can be used for storage.

The climatic parameters during cheese ripening in production differ from those that it needs during subsequent maintenance and transportation. Only fully ripened product is suitable for long-term storage.

In the heads

A whole head of cheese can sit for a long time.. When planning to organize your inventory, you need to ensure that there is adequate space available based on the size of the heads.

Depending on the type, the manufacturer may recommend different storage conditions, so it is recommended to first study the information on the packaging. Most often, the ripened heads are kept on racks in special rooms, if there is a lot of product, or in the refrigerator at temperatures up to +6°C.

Vacuum packed

foto51491-2 Vacuum packaging allows you to extend the shelf life of the product, maintaining its properties and quality to the maximum.

For a piece that has been vacuum packed at the factory, terms and conditions must correspond to those recommended by the manufacturer and are indicated on the label.

For cheeses that are packaged in vacuum bags in a store, it is necessary to ensure storage at a temperature of no more than +8°C. The retail outlet must sell such a product within 5 days. If cheese is placed in a vacuum bag at home, the supply should only be stored in the refrigerator.

After opening

Opening the factory sealed package exposes the contents to air.. This triggers oxidative processes. This product should only be kept in a cool place away from light. The best choice is a refrigerator.

Each individual piece must first be packaged using parchment or cheese paper. For storage, you can use a refrigerator shelf, where the temperature is maintained at up to +6°C, or a zero-temperature chamber, if provided.

Soft

Soft types of cheese are not intended for long-term storage in the form of stocks. Even pickles that are in liquid should be stored in the refrigerator in a closed container. The air temperature in the place of detention should be up to +6°C.

With mold

Blue cheeses are not only a delicacy with a piquant taste and characteristic aroma, but also very demanding products.

They should only be stored in the refrigerator, and always in tightly sealed packaging. Due to limited shelf life It’s better not to buy this type of product for future use. Read more here.

Solid, semi-solid

foto51491-3 Hard varieties are stored better and longer than soft ones. The optimal conditions for keeping the product are to place it in the refrigerator.

The hardest varieties, such as Parmesan, have the longest shelf life. They can retain their qualities for a long time, being at temperatures up to +8°C.

If the cheese is kept in a warm room, it can only be stored in this form for a couple of hours. Read about storing Parmesan here.

Homemade

Homemade cheeses are a perishable dairy product. After cooking, they should only be kept in the refrigerator, at a temperature of 0 to 6°C. Read more Here.

Shelf life of the product when kept in the refrigerator

The temperature where the cheese is kept directly affects the duration of storage. Being in the refrigerator provides the most correct conditions for the food product. At a temperature of 0-6°C, any type of cheese product lies for the maximum possible time, maintaining its quality.

Hard and semi-hard varieties can also be kept at temperatures from -4 to 0°C. If it is possible to provide such conditions, cheeses of these types will last even longer. For soft, pickled varieties and varieties with mold, the best storage option is to place them in the refrigerator at a temperature of 0 to 6°C.

In unopened original packaging, the product can remain for as long as indicated by the manufacturer on the label, subject to all storage conditions.

Is it worth freezing?

Freezing cheese is a controversial decision. Manufacturers themselves do not recommend using the freezer as a storage place. But, if it is not possible to preserve the products for a long time otherwise, this option is possible in some cases.

Hard varieties that contain the least amount of water tolerate freezing best.. Worse - soft. When exposed to low temperatures, the water contained in the product crystallizes, and when thawed, it is most often separated in the form of whey. As a result, the cheese becomes drier due to loss of moisture, losing its quality and appearance.

If freezing is necessary, then it is recommended to use such a product in the future only in dishes that will be boiled or baked. It is not suitable for a cheese plate or even sandwiches.

Conclusion

Temperature is one of the important parameters when organizing cheese storage. Its violation, both in the direction of increase and decrease, can lead to changes in the properties of the product and even damage. To prevent this, perishable products should be stored according to the rules, also paying attention to packaging.