Kamil Perry
The longevity of a wheel of cheese depends on several factors, including the type of cheese, storage method, and ambient conditions. Properly stored cheese can last for years, retaining its flavour and texture. For instance, an unbroken waxed cheese wheel can last for over 25 years if stored under the right conditions. On the other hand, soft cheeses tend to have a shorter shelf life than hard cheeses, and cut or sliced cheese will not last as long as whole wheels. Additionally, factors like moisture content, mould development, and exposure to air, light, and odours can also impact the longevity of cheese.
What You'll Learn
Whole cheese wheels can be stored outside the fridge
If storing your cheese outside the fridge, cover it with a clean cloth to keep out dust and dirt. Regularly check for mould growth and cut away any affected parts. Turning the cheese regularly will ensure that it ripens evenly. While whole cheese wheels can be stored outside the fridge, once the cheese is cut, it is recommended to store it in the fridge, where it will have a shorter shelf life.
The type of cheese will also impact its shelf life. Hard cheeses, such as alpine cheeses, have a longer shelf life than softer cheeses due to their lower moisture content, which makes it difficult for bacteria to flourish. The moisture content of the cheese is a key factor in determining how long it will last. Additionally, the presence of wax or vacuum sealing can extend the shelf life of a cheese wheel. An unbroken waxed cheese wheel, for example, can last for over 25 years if kept under the right conditions.
Proper storage techniques are essential to maximize the shelf life of your cheese. For soft cheeses sold in brine, such as feta or fresh mozzarella, keep them in the liquid and secure the container's lid. For blue cheese, you can wrap it in foil. Soft-ripened cheese, like Brie, has a delicate rind and should be wrapped in cheese paper, parchment paper, or kept in an airtight container. Hard cheeses should be removed from their plastic packaging and wrapped loosely in cheese paper or wax paper before being placed in an airtight container.
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Cheese wheels should be wrapped in cheese paper
Cheese paper is a good option for storing cheese because it wraps tightly enough around the cheese to protect it, without restricting its ability to breathe. It is made from a layer of paper and a layer of plastic fused together, with the plastic having tiny perforations to allow air and moisture to flow out. This paper-plastic combo works great for protecting your cheese from the off-flavours and drying air of your fridge while also letting it breathe.
Cheese paper has some drawbacks. It is on the pricey side, and for a dedicated cheese lover, those costs can add up. Like plastic wrap, cheese paper isn’t reusable and, unfortunately, it can't be easily recycled either.
If you are storing a whole cheese wheel that does not fit in the fridge, you can store it outside the fridge, but under certain conditions. Make sure the cheese is kept in a cool, dark place, such as a cellar or pantry. Cover the cheese with a clean cloth to keep out dust and dirt. Check regularly for mould growth and, if necessary, cut away the affected part. If you store the whole cheese for a longer period of time, it will continue to ripen. Turn the cheese regularly so that it will ripen evenly.
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Don't store cheese for too long
While storing cheese for a long time may seem like a good idea, it's important to remember that cheese is a living food. The ageing process may stop once the cheese is cut, but the microbes in the cheese will continue to transform it, affecting its flavour and texture.
Soft cheeses tend to have a shorter shelf life than hard cheeses, and once the cheese is cut, the shelf life will be shorter still. If stored in the fridge, cheese can be kept for 6 to 8 weeks. However, this depends on the type of cheese, with harder cheeses lasting much longer than soft. For example, an unopened wheel of waxed gouda can last for over 25 years if kept under the right conditions.
If you're storing cheese in the fridge, it's important to keep it wrapped well to avoid drying out and absorbing other odours. Cheese paper is ideal, as it lets the cheese breathe without drying out, but greaseproof baking paper can also be used. It's best to avoid plastic wrap and aluminium foil, as these can cause unpleasant flavours and aromas to develop.
If you have a whole wheel of cheese that doesn't fit in the fridge, it can be stored outside the fridge, but it must be kept in a cool, dark place like a cellar or pantry, and checked regularly for mould growth.
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Don't freeze your cheese
While freezing cheese can be a good way to prevent waste and save money, there are several reasons why you might not want to freeze your cheese.
Freezing cheese can affect its texture and flavour. When cheese is frozen, its moisture turns into ice crystals, which can damage the cheese's structure and cause it to become crumbly, mealy, or gritty. The speed at which the cheese freezes determines the size of these crystals, with faster freezing resulting in smaller crystals that have less impact on the cheese's texture. Freezing also deactivates the enzymes and living cultures in cheese, which are responsible for developing flavour over time. As a result, frozen cheese may have a less intense flavour than fresh cheese.
The type of cheese also plays a role in how well it freezes. Generally, semi-firm and firm cheeses with a low moisture content, such as cheddar, Colby, provolone, and hard Italian cheeses, freeze better than softer cheeses. Soft cheeses, such as Camembert and blue cheese, have a higher moisture content, which can lead to a pool of previously delicious cheese once thawed. Freezing can also negatively impact the texture and flavour of these delicate cheeses.
Additionally, freezing cheese is not necessary for long-term storage. Hard cheeses, such as alpine cheeses, can last for a long time in the fridge, and commercially vacuum-packed cheeses like cheddars and Goudas can be safely stored in the fridge for a year or more.
If you do choose to freeze your cheese, it is important to prepare it properly. Break the cheese into smaller pieces, as they will freeze faster. Use high-quality airtight packaging or a vacuum sealer to reduce air exposure and prevent freezer burn. Label and date the cheese before freezing for three to six months. When you're ready to use the frozen cheese, allow it to thaw slowly in the fridge to give the moisture time to redistribute.
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Store different cheeses separately
When storing cheese, it's important to keep different cheeses separately. Some cheeses have strong odours that can be transferred to other cheeses if stored too close together. Strong-smelling cheeses should be stored separately from milder cheeses to avoid affecting each other's taste.
The fatty part of cheese tends to absorb other smells from the refrigerator, so it is advisable to keep cheese in glass or plastic containers. Another option is to wrap the cheese in food-grade plastic film. This will keep the cheese fresh for a long time, but it's important to periodically check that its conditions have not changed.
If storing a whole cheese wheel outside of the fridge, it should be kept in a cool, dark place such as a cellar or pantry. Cover the cheese with a clean cloth to keep out dust and dirt, and regularly check for mould growth. If mould appears, cut away the affected part.
If storing multiple whole cheese wheels, they should be turned regularly so that they ripen evenly.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the type of cheese and how it is stored. A waxed cheese wheel can last for over 25 years if kept under the right conditions. An unopened vacuum-sealed cheese wheel can be stored in the refrigerator for several months. Once opened, a vacuum-sealed cheese wheel can be stored in the refrigerator for about 15 days to about 1 month. Whole wheels of cheese stored outside the fridge in a cool, dark place like a cellar or pantry will continue to ripen and should be turned regularly to ensure even ripening.
An unopened vacuum-sealed cheese wheel can be stored in the refrigerator. A whole cheese wheel that does not fit in the refrigerator can be stored outside the fridge in a cool, dark place like a cellar or pantry. Cover the cheese wheel with a clean cloth to keep out dust and dirt and turn it regularly.
If mould develops on the surface of the cheese, it can be removed using a knife.
