Patrick Oconnell
Blue cheese is a tricky type of cheese to store. Its delicate cheese paste, with its pierced blue veining, makes it more susceptible to oxidation and loss of surface moisture. To keep blue cheese fresh, it should be stored in a very cold place, like a refrigerator, to slow down the rate of fermentation and extend its shelf life. It is best to wrap blue cheese in aluminium foil, cheese paper, or bee's wrap and place it in the more humid section of the fridge, like the vegetable drawer, so it doesn't dry out.
How to Keep Blue Cheese Fresh
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Refrigeration | Always keep blue cheese refrigerated. |
| Storage Container | Store in a Cheese Grotto, aluminium foil, plastic wrap, freezer bag, or sealable container. |
| Wrapping | Wrap in cheese paper, bee's wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper. |
| Fridge Location | Place in a humid section of the fridge, like the vegetable drawer. |
| Freezing | Cut into portions no larger than 1/2 pound each and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap before freezing. |
| Freezer Life | Properly stored, blue cheese will maintain the best quality for about 6 months in the freezer but can be kept indefinitely at 0°F. |
| Thawing | If defrosted in the fridge, it can be kept for an additional 3–4 days; if thawed in the microwave or cold water, use immediately. |
| Post-Thaw Consistency | Frozen blue cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor; it is best suited for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, and casseroles. |
| Mold | If mold appears, cut away at least 1 inch around and below the moldy area and re-cover the cheese in fresh wrap. |
| Multiple Cheeses | Avoid storing multiple types of cheeses together, as this can result in an absorption of flavors. |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese storage: wrap in foil or paper, then plastic wrap, and refrigerate
- Avoid cling wrap, it suffocates the cheese
- Blue cheese in the freezer: cut into portions, wrap tightly, and freeze
- Blue cheese in a Cheese Grotto: no need to wrap, just ensure gentle aeration
- Avoid new mold, soft fuzzy coating, or excess moisture
Blue cheese storage: wrap in foil or paper, then plastic wrap, and refrigerate
To keep blue cheese fresh, it is recommended to wrap it in foil or paper and then plastic wrap before refrigerating. This will help maintain the cheese's quality and ensure it is safe to eat.
Firstly, it is important to note that blue cheese should always be refrigerated to preserve its freshness and safety. When it comes to wrapping blue cheese, foil is a better option than paper. While wax or parchment paper can be used to wrap other types of cheese, it is not ideal for soft and semi-soft blue cheeses as it can cause them to dry out. Instead, wrapping blue cheese in aluminium foil helps control oxygen access, preserving the cheese's unique flavours and texture. Perforated aluminium foil is ideal, but it can be expensive and hard to find. As a more affordable and accessible alternative, regular aluminium foil can be used, ensuring it is wrapped loosely to allow the cheese to breathe.
After wrapping the cheese in foil, it is then recommended to add a layer of plastic wrap to create an additional barrier. Plastic wrap helps protect the cheese from excess moisture and off-flavours from other foods in the refrigerator. It also allows you to see what you have in the cheese drawer at a glance. However, it is important not to use plastic wrap directly on the cheese as it can deprive it of oxygen, causing the cheese to spoil faster.
By following these steps of wrapping blue cheese in foil or paper and then adding a layer of plastic wrap before refrigerating, you can maximise the shelf life of your blue cheese and enjoy it at its freshest and most flavourful.
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Avoid cling wrap, it suffocates the cheese
Cling wrap is a big no-no when it comes to storing blue cheese. While it may seem like a convenient option, cling wrap will actually suffocate the cheese, causing it to harden and potentially develop unwanted bacteria. This is because blue cheese has a delicate cheese paste with its pierced blue veining, making it susceptible to changes in moisture levels. Trapped moisture can lead to the growth of bacteria, which can render your cheese inedible.
So, what are the alternatives? Well, if you're a blue cheese enthusiast, investing in a Cheese Grotto is a great option. The Cheese Grotto provides a gently aerated, humid climate that preserves the freshness of your cheese without the need for wrapping. It's designed to allow your cheese to breathe, preventing it from suffocating. If you don't have a Cheese Grotto, you can wrap your blue cheese in cheese paper or bee's wrap and store it in the more humid section of your fridge, like the vegetable drawer.
Another option is to use aluminum foil. You can wrap the cheese in its original packaging tightly with aluminum foil or, for even better results, first wrap it in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with aluminum foil before refrigerating. This two-ply construction mimics the properties of cheese paper, allowing some breathability while still protecting your cheese.
Remember, blue cheese is a delicate product and can be finicky to store. By avoiding cling wrap and providing the right storage conditions, you can extend the shelf life of your blue cheese and enjoy it for as long as possible.
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Blue cheese in the freezer: cut into portions, wrap tightly, and freeze
If you want to keep your blue cheese fresh in the freezer, it's important to follow these steps:
First, cut the cheese into portions. It's recommended to cut the blue cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. This ensures that you have manageable amounts of cheese to work with and helps with portion control when you need to take some out of the freezer.
Next, wrap the portions tightly. You can use heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap for this step. Alternatively, place the cheese inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Proper wrapping is crucial to prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of the cheese.
Finally, place the wrapped portions in the freezer. Blue cheese stored this way can last for about 6 months while maintaining its best quality. Even after this period, the cheese will remain safe to consume, although it may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour.
When you need to use the frozen blue cheese, you can defrost it in the refrigerator, and it will keep for an additional 3 to 4 days. If you thaw it in the microwave or cold water, it should be used immediately. Keep in mind that the texture and flavour may change slightly, and the cheese will be better suited for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, or casseroles.
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Blue cheese in a Cheese Grotto: no need to wrap, just ensure gentle aeration
Blue cheese is a delicate product with relatively high moisture levels, making it more susceptible to oxidation and loss of surface moisture. To keep it fresh, it is important to prevent it from drying out, while also ensuring it is stored in a way that allows it to breathe.
The Cheese Grotto is a storage option that provides a gently aerated, humid climate for blue cheese. This climate helps to preserve the freshness of the cheese. When using a Cheese Grotto, there is no need to wrap the blue cheese. However, it is important to ensure gentle aeration to prevent the cheese from suffocating. To achieve this, simply lift the dome of the Cheese Grotto to allow fresh air to reach the cheese.
Additionally, it is recommended to clean the Grotto shelves with a mixture of hot water and distilled white vinegar (3:1) between uses and allow them to air dry. This helps to prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria, which can occur due to trapped moisture. It is also important to maintain a distance of about one inch between different types of cheeses in the Grotto to prevent the transfer of flavours and the growth of mould.
If you want to extend the shelf life of your blue cheese, it is best to store the Cheese Grotto in the fridge. The cooler temperature will slow down the rate of fermentation, keeping the cheese fresh for a longer period. However, even at refrigerator temperatures, blue cheese will only last for about 1 to 2 months.
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Avoid new mold, soft fuzzy coating, or excess moisture
Blue cheese is a delicate product with relatively high moisture levels, so it is more susceptible to spoilage than other cheeses. To avoid new mold, a soft fuzzy coating, or excess moisture, follow these steps:
Firstly, when purchasing blue cheese, avoid wedges that have excess moisture in the packaging, as this indicates that the cheese is past its prime. Also, be mindful that blue cheese shouldn't be stored for too long, as its flavor intensifies over time, and strong medicinal or perfumy flavors indicate that the cheese is past its best.
Secondly, when storing blue cheese at home, it should be kept in a very cold place, such as a refrigerator, to slow its ripening. It is best to wrap blue cheese in cheese paper or bee's wrap and place it in a humid section of the fridge, like the vegetable drawer, so it doesn't dry out. Alternatively, you can use aluminum foil, parchment paper, or a loose zipper-lock bag. If you use parchment paper, it is recommended to then use a loose covering of aluminum foil, which mimics the two-ply construction of cheese paper. Do not use cling wrap, as this can cause the cheese to harden.
Thirdly, to avoid mold, ensure that the cheese can breathe. If you are using a Cheese Grotto, clean the shelves with hot water and distilled white vinegar (3:1) between uses, and allow to air dry. Opting for Black Resin shelving can also help, as it is non-porous and dishwasher-safe, minimizing the chance of blue cheese blooming.
Finally, if you wish to freeze your blue cheese, cut the cheese into portions no larger than 1/2 pound each, and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, it will maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but it will remain safe to eat beyond this time.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese will last for about 1 to 2 months in the refrigerator. To maximize its shelf life, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
To store blue cheese in the freezer, cut the cheese into portions no larger than 1/2 pound each, and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Properly stored, it will maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
Avoid storing blue cheese in cling wrap as it can cause the cheese to harden. Do not wrap the cheese too tightly as it can cause unwanted bacteria to grow. Also, avoid storing multiple types of cheeses together as this can result in an absorption of flavours.
