Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a unique variety of cheese with a strong flavour and smell. It is made using a combination of cow, sheep, goat, or non-dairy milk, which is heated and cultured with Penicillium roqueforti or glaucum, and rennet. The cheese gets its distinctive blue-green veins from the mould spores, which are introduced either before or after the curds form. Blue cheese is typically aged in temperature-controlled environments, with the temperature and humidity monitored to ensure the cheese does not spoil. Storing blue cheese at home requires similar care, with the cheese needing to breathe and be stored in a high-humidity environment to prevent unwanted bacteria from forming.
How is Blue Cheese Stored?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Blue cheese is best stored at room temperature if it will be consumed within a week. Otherwise, it is best stored in the warmest part of the refrigerator, typically the cheese or vegetable drawer. |
| Container | It should be stored in a tightly sealed or airtight container. |
| Wrapping | It should be wrapped in wax paper, parchment paper, aluminium foil, or beeswax wrap. Plastic wrap is not recommended as it does not allow the cheese to breathe, which causes it to spoil faster. |
| Spacing | Blue cheese should be stored away from other cheeses as its blue mold can spread to them. |
| Humidity | Blue cheese should be stored in a high-humidity climate. |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese should be stored in a high-humidity climate
Blue cheese is a delicate product, and its storage is crucial for preserving its flavours and textures. Blue cheese should be stored in a high-humidity climate, and there are several options for creating this environment. Firstly, it is important to note that blue cheese was traditionally aged and stored in caves with naturally controlled temperatures and high moisture levels, which provided a favourable environment for the growth of the desired moulds.
Today, one can recreate this environment using a Cheese Grotto, which self-regulates high humidity with its included clay brick humidifier and breathable back panel. This allows fresh air to circulate around the cheese gently, preventing moisture from becoming trapped on the surface, which can lead to the growth of unwanted bacteria. The Cheese Grotto can be stored either in the fridge or on the counter, depending on your preference. Storing it in the fridge will prolong the life of the blue cheese, while keeping it on the counter provides the advantage of having the cheese ready to eat at room temperature.
If you do not have access to a Cheese Grotto, there are other ways to store blue cheese effectively. It is recommended to wrap blue cheese in a breathable material such as parchment or wax paper and then loosely in aluminium foil or beeswax wrap. This allows the cheese to breathe and promotes air circulation, which is crucial in preventing spoilage and the growth of unwanted moulds. It is important to note that blue cheese should not be wrapped too tightly, as this can trap moisture and lead to rapid degradation.
Additionally, when storing blue cheese in the refrigerator, it should be placed in the warmest part, typically the cheese or vegetable drawer. It is also essential to keep blue cheese away from other cheeses and strong-smelling foods, as the blue mould can spread and affect their flavours. Storing blue cheese in an airtight container can help maintain its freshness, but it should not be wrapped airtight, as this will cause it to spoil faster.
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It can be wrapped in wax paper or foil
Blue cheese is a delicate product that can be tricky to store. Its soft paste and pierced blue veining make it susceptible to oxidisation and the loss of surface moisture. If wrapped too tightly in plastic or cheese paper, it can quickly grow unwanted bacteria, which can make it inedible.
One way to store blue cheese is to wrap it in wax paper or foil. This allows the cheese to breathe while protecting it from excess moisture. It is important not to wrap the cheese too tightly, as this can cause moisture to become trapped, leading to the growth of bacteria and the cheese spoiling. To further maintain freshness, the wrapped cheese can be placed in an airtight container. It should be stored in the warmest part of the refrigerator, typically the cheese or vegetable drawer, and away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavour transfer.
If the blue cheese was purchased wrapped in plastic, it is advisable to re-wrap it in parchment paper and then loosely in aluminium foil or wax paper. Parchment paper is porous, which allows air to circulate and prevents the cheese from spoiling.
For those who are serious about their cheese, there are also products such as the Cheese Grotto, which is designed to be stored in the fridge or on the counter. The Cheese Grotto self-regulates high humidity and has a breathable back panel, allowing fresh air to circulate around the cheese gently. This means that the cheese does not need to be wrapped, and it can be kept at room temperature, so it is ready to eat at any time.
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It is best stored in the warmest part of the fridge
Blue cheese is a delicate product, and its storage is crucial for preserving its flavours and textures. It is best stored in the warmest part of the fridge, typically the cheese or vegetable drawer. This keeps the cheese fresh for longer. The fridge is also the best place to store blue cheese if you want to keep it for as long as possible.
Blue cheese is susceptible to oxidising and losing its surface moisture. It also needs to breathe, so it should not be wrapped too tightly in plastic or cheese paper. If it is wrapped airtight, moisture will build up inside, and the cheese will spoil faster. The cheese will turn yellowish or develop yellowish mould and start to smell.
Blue cheese should be wrapped in wax paper or aluminium foil, which allows the cheese to breathe while protecting it from excess moisture. Placing the wrapped cheese in an airtight container further helps maintain freshness. It should be kept away from other cheeses because its blue mould will spread. It should also be kept away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavour transfer.
A Cheese Grotto is another option for storing blue cheese. This is designed to be stored in the fridge or on the counter. The Grotto self-regulates high humidity and has a breathable back panel, so fresh air circulates gently around the cheese. The benefit of keeping blue cheese out at room temperature in the Grotto is that the flavour and texture of the cheese are ready to eat at any moment.
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Freezing blue cheese is not recommended
Blue cheese is a strong-smelling and sharp-tasting cheese with a unique flavour. It is made using cow's, sheep's, or goat's milk and matured with penicillium, a type of mould. Freezing blue cheese is possible and can be a good way to reduce waste and save money, but it is not recommended due to the impact on the quality of the cheese.
Freezing blue cheese will definitely affect its quality, particularly its taste and texture. The cheese will still be safe to eat, but it may not be as enjoyable as fresh blue cheese. The potent aroma and piquant taste of blue cheese may be diminished or altered, and the texture may become crumbly or dry. The length of time that the cheese is frozen for will also impact its quality, with flavour and texture beginning to be affected after 6-8 months.
Blue cheese is a delicate product and can be tricky to store. It is susceptible to oxidising and losing its surface moisture, and it can be challenging to preserve its flavours and textures. It is recommended to store blue cheese in the refrigerator, preferably in a sealed container or wrapped in wax paper or foil. The coldest part of the fridge is at the back, so it is best to wrap the cheese well and place it there. Even chilly temperatures above freezing can impact the flavour and texture of blue cheese, so it is advisable to remove it from the fridge at least an hour before serving to allow it to reach its optimal temperature and texture.
Additionally, blue cheese contains anaerobic bacteria, which thrive in the absence of oxygen. Vacuum sealing blue cheese can be dangerous as it poses a health risk due to the bacteria's need for oxygen. Instead of freezing, it is recommended to store blue cheese in an airtight container in the fridge, ensuring that it is consumed within a reasonable timeframe.
In summary, while it is technically possible to freeze blue cheese, it is not recommended due to the impact on its taste, texture, and overall quality. There are alternative storage methods, such as refrigeration and the use of airtight containers, that can help extend the shelf life of blue cheese while preserving its unique characteristics.
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Blue cheese should be re-wrapped each time it is used
Blue cheese is a delicate product, and its pierced blue veining makes it susceptible to oxidization and the loss of surface moisture. It is also susceptible to the growth of unwanted bacteria, which can be caused by trapped moisture on the paste. Therefore, blue cheese should be re-wrapped each time it is used.
If you have purchased blue cheese that was wrapped in plastic wrap, it is recommended to re-wrap it in parchment paper, which is porous, and then loosely in aluminium foil or beeswax wrap. This is because blue cheese needs to breathe, and if it is stored while wrapped airtight, it will spoil faster. Moisture will build up inside the packaging, and the cheese will turn yellow or produce yellow mould, and it will start to smell putrid.
Blue cheese should be stored in the warmest part of the fridge, typically in the cheese or vegetable drawer, and away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavour transfer. It should also be stored away from other cheeses, as its blue mould has a tendency to spread.
If you are a cheese enthusiast who likes to keep your cheese out on the counter, it is recommended to store your blue cheese in a Cheese Grotto. The Cheese Grotto is designed to be stored either in the fridge or on the counter. The benefit of keeping blue cheese out at room temperature in the Grotto is that the flavour and texture of the blue cheese are ready to eat at any moment, eliminating the need to take the cheese out one hour before eating for the best experience. The Cheese Grotto does not require you to wrap your cheese, so it can live in a gently aerated, humid climate that preserves its freshness.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, in the warmest part, such as the vegetable drawer. It should be wrapped in wax paper or foil, or placed in a sealed container, to protect it from excess moisture.
Blue cheese should not be stored in plastic wrap as it can cause unwanted bacteria to grow. It should also be stored away from other cheeses, as its blue mold can spread.
Blue cheese likes to be stored in a high-humidity climate. The ripening temperature is usually around eight to ten degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 85-95%.
Yes, blue cheese can be stored at room temperature, but this will shorten its shelf life.
