Recommendations from cheese makers on what is the best way to store cheese
Cheese is one of the popular products that is used both as an independent snack and is often included in difficult-to-prepare dishes.
In order for the product to retain its qualities, have a pleasant taste and aroma, it must be stored correctly.
We will tell you further where and in what is the best way to store cheese.
Content
Where to keep the product?
Perishable products, which include cheese, require responsible storage conditions. Otherwise, it may quickly become unusable.
For most types of cheese Suitable conditions for keeping the product are the range from 0 to +6 or +8°C. Air humidity should be from 85 to 90%. A home refrigerator supports exactly these indicators.
If the humidity is higher than recommended, mold may develop. Conversely, if the humidity is too low, the product will dry out.
In the refrigerator, it is recommended to keep it in the following places:
- on a shelf (preferably closer to the back wall);
- in the vegetable compartment;
- in a chamber with zero temperature (if it is provided for in the design of the refrigeration unit).
It is not advisable to keep the product on the refrigerator door, since due to frequent opening and closing of the doors, the cheese will be exposed to warm air.It is also not advisable to keep it near the freezer if it is located next to the shelves in the refrigerator - there is a danger that the fermented milk product will freeze.
In industrial quantities, cheeses are most often kept on shelves in special rooms.
Proper packaging
In addition to choosing the right place to store cheese, also it is important to take care of proper packaging. It should prevent the exchange of odors with other products, prevent oxidative processes from developing and drying out.
Whatever packaging method is chosen, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the product during its storage at home.
Paper
For storing cheese special paper or parchment can be used. This allows you to preserve the product well, preventing it from drying out or molding. Regular writing paper is not suitable for packaging. Read about paper for storing cheese Here.
Cling film
The cling film, which is tightly wrapped around the piece, reliably protects the product from air access. But there is a danger that the cheese will “suffocate” and spoil.
Cheesecake
To store cheese, special containers can be used, which are designed to contain this particular product.
Cheese pans come in different sizes. Most often they are made of plastic, complementing the design with special membranes.
An affordable alternative is a food container, glass jar or ceramic container with a lid. Additionally, before placing it in a container, it is better to wrap the piece in paper. Read about containers for storing cheese in this article.
Factory
The packaging in which the cheese is sold is the best choice for storage. As long as it is not opened, the product can lie for a long time and not disappear. This applies not only to cheese wheels, but also to slices and individual pieces packaged by the manufacturer.
In oil
Vegetable oil allows you to better preserve cheese and extend its shelf life. One way is to grease the surface of the hard or semi-hard variety before packaging, and only then wrap the piece in parchment.
Another option for organizing storage:
- Cut the cheese into cubes.
- Place the cubes in a glass jar.
- Pour in vegetable (preferably olive) oil.
- Close the container with a lid.
- Place the vessel in the refrigerator.
There is a more interesting option - to enrich the taste of the cheese with herbs and spices. A detailed recipe from a professional chef on how to cook it in oil is on video:
Is it possible to leave the hard variety in a warm place?
It is advisable to keep any cheeses in the refrigerator. Hard and superhard varieties tolerate increased temperatures better than soft ones. But they also react poorly to unsuitable storage conditions, starting to disappear and deteriorate, like any milk-based product.
Additionally, each individual the piece should be wrapped in a cotton cloth soaked in a salt solution. The humidity level should be around 85%.
If you plan to serve a cheese plate, then it is advisable to remove the cheese from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before serving so that it warms up a little and better reveals its taste and aroma.
5 useful tips
Improper storage of cheese can lead to product spoilage. To prevent this from happening, It is useful to take into account the following tips from cheesemakers:
- Each variety must be stored separately.
- You should not ignore such an indicator as humidity in the place where products are stored.
- It is important to avoid sudden changes in conditions during product storage.
- Whole heads last longer than individual pieces.
- The cheese should not come into contact with other products.
If soft cheeses begin to spoil, the product should be thrown away.
Conclusion
Where and in what to store cheese is determined by the situation. The best option for choosing a place to put even a small supply is the refrigerator.