The Ideal Time To Keep Cheese Out Before Serving

Cheese is best served at room temperature, but how long should it be left out before serving? The answer depends on the type of cheese. Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, cottage cheese, and cream cheese should be left out for 30 minutes. Soft cheeses like brie, camembert, and mascarpone can be left out for 2-4 hours. Harder cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and parmesan can be left out for up to 8 hours. In general, it is recommended to let cheese sit at room temperature for at least an hour before serving to allow the fat molecules to relax and enhance the flavor and texture.

Cheese should be left out for at least 30 minutes before serving

Eating cheese cold also means you don't get to experience its creamy, luscious, supple textures. Animal fats are solid at room temperature, and refrigerator temperatures firm them up even more. Just like a stick of butter fresh from the fridge isn't great for spreading on bread, chilly cheese tends to be hard and waxy—even soft cheeses like bloomy rinds and washed rinds.

Bringing cheese to room temperature is essential to help the fat loosen up, which gives the cheese a better texture and flavour. This is especially important for soft cheeses like brie, camembert, or Humboldt Fog, where you want to achieve that deliciously runny, buttery texture. But all cheeses should be served at room temperature. This is because, as cheese softens, its fat-soluble flavour compounds get better access to our taste buds. Also, aromas are more volatile at warmer temperatures, which means you can smell (and taste) the cheese better.

So, how should you bring your cheese to room temperature? Remove your cheese from the fridge at least an hour before you plan to taste it. Place the unwrapped cheese on a plate or a cheese board. You can lay a clean, lint-free cloth over it, invert a bowl over the cheese, or pop it into a cheese dome to protect it and keep it from drying out. Your goal is to get it to room temperature, or around 68°F-72°F.

Fresh cheeses only need to be left out for 30 minutes

When it comes to serving cheese, temperature matters. Cheese is largely composed of fat, and since fat carries flavour, serving cheese at the right temperature is crucial to amplifying its taste. When fat molecules are cold, they contract; when they are warm, they relax, allowing the taster to perceive more flavour. In addition, bringing cheese to room temperature helps to loosen up the fat, improving the texture and overall eating experience.

However, leaving cheese out for too long can lead to spoilage and bacterial growth. The ideal amount of time to leave cheese out before serving varies depending on the type of cheese and the temperature of the room. As a general rule, soft cheeses can sit out for 2 to 4 hours, while harder cheeses can stay out for up to 8 hours.

Fresh cheeses are an exception to this rule. They only need to be left out for about 30 minutes to reach the optimal temperature for serving. This includes cheeses such as ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and fresh mozzarella.

When bringing cheese to room temperature, it is important to keep it covered to prevent it from drying out. The ideal room temperature for cheese is around 68°F to 72°F (20°C to 22°C). If the room is particularly warm, keep a close eye on the cheese to ensure the fat does not begin to separate and bead on the surface.

By allowing fresh cheeses to temper for 30 minutes before serving, you will ensure your cheese is at its flavourful and textural best.

Harder cheeses can be left out for up to eight hours

When it comes to cheese, temperature matters. The colder a cheese is, the less you'll be able to detect its full range of flavours and aromas. That's because when cheese is cold, its fat-soluble flavour compounds are less accessible to your taste buds. Warmer temperatures also make it easier to perceive flavours.

So, how long should harder cheeses be left out before serving? Well, they can be left out for a lot longer than softer cheeses. While soft cheeses can stay out for 2 to 4 hours, harder cheeses can be left out for up to eight hours. After this time, the fat will start to leach out of the cheese, giving the surface a greasy appearance and altering its texture.

Of course, this assumes an ordinary room temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If your room is warmer than this, you may want to reduce the amount of time your cheese is left out. And if you're in doubt, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

It's worth noting that some aficionados claim that cheese shouldn't be refrigerated at all. Instead, they suggest keeping it in a cool, dark place and consuming it within a day or two. However, this may not be practical for everyone, and most people keep their homes warmer than the ideal temperature for cheese storage. In that case, the fridge is the next best place.

Soft cheeses can be left out for two to four hours

When cheese is left out, it is vulnerable to bacterial growth and spoilage. However, the chance of foodborne illness caused by cheese is extremely low. Foodborne illness is more likely to be caused by raw meat or poultry.

Cheese is composed largely of fat, and since fat carries flavour, serving cheese at room temperature amplifies its taste. When fat molecules are cold, they contract; when they warm up, they relax, allowing greater perception of flavour.

Bringing cheese to room temperature is also essential to help the fat loosen up, which gives the cheese a better texture. For example, Brie straight from the refrigerator can be rubbery and flavourless, whereas served at room temperature it is soft, creamy, and luscious.

However, leaving cheese out for too long will cause it to dry out and the fat to separate from the cheese. This will give the surface of the cheese a greasy appearance and alter its texture.

Cheese should be covered while it is out to prevent it from drying out

Cheese should be allowed to rest at room temperature for at least an hour before serving. Fresh cheeses, such as Queso Fresco, only need about 30 minutes. Leaving cheese out of the refrigerator allows its fat molecules to relax, which amplifies its flavour. However, cheese should not be left uncovered as it will dry out.

There are several ways to cover cheese to prevent it from drying out. One way is to use a finely porous material such as cheese paper, parchment paper, or breathable plastic wrap made especially for cheese. Another option is to rewrap the cheese in the paper used by the cheesemonger and then loosely wrap that package in plastic. This will keep the cheese breathable while helping it retain moisture.

It is important to note that cheese should not be wrapped in plastic wrap as it will suffocate the cheese. Cheese is a living, breathing thing, and without proper oxygen, it will not be able to breathe and will dry out.

Frequently asked questions