Randy Chandler
Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese that is placed in moulds for months or years. To prevent mould from growing on your cheddar cheese, it is important to tightly wrap it in an airtight material such as plastic wrap or wax paper to minimise exposure to air. You can also store it in a plastic zip bag with a paper towel, which should be thrown out when it starts to feel moist. If you do find mould on your cheddar cheese, you can cut off the mouldy part and the rest of the cheese is still fine to eat.
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What You'll Learn
Wrap cheddar in wax paper or parchment paper
Wrapping cheddar cheese in wax paper or parchment paper is an effective way to keep it from molding. Wax paper and parchment paper allow the cheese to breathe and prevent additional moisture, which can cause mold.
To wrap your cheddar cheese in wax paper or parchment paper, first, lay the paper on top of the cheese's label. Then, wrap the cheese in the paper, ensuring that the label is still visible. This will help you identify the cheese at a glance when you open the refrigerator. After wrapping the cheese in wax paper or parchment paper, you can choose to place it in a partially sealed plastic bag or wrap it loosely in foil to retain moisture. However, avoid using plastic wrap or sealing the cheese in plastic, as this can trap moisture, promoting mold and bacterial growth and causing the cheese to take on a plastic taste.
If you want to avoid using plastic, you can place the wrapped cheese in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Additionally, you can rub the cut faces of the cheese with a light coat of olive, canola, or another vegetable oil before placing it in the container. If mold starts to grow, it will be on the oil, and you can wipe it off with a paper towel and rinse the cheese under lukewarm water.
Wrapping cheddar cheese in wax paper or parchment paper and storing it correctly will help keep it fresh and mold-free for longer.
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Store in an airtight container
Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese, which means it has a lower moisture content than soft cheeses and will last longer. However, to keep it from molding, correct storage is essential.
Firstly, when you buy a block of cheddar, it is best to wrap it in wax or parchment paper. Then, add a second layer of plastic wrap to ensure the cheese is airtight and protected from bacteria. This second layer also helps to prevent the cheese from drying out. You can then place the cheese in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
If you want to keep the cheese fresh for longer, you can rub a thin layer of butter onto the cut surfaces of the cheese. The oils in the butter will prevent the cheese from drying out. You can also place a dry piece of paper towel on the cut edge of the cheese, which will absorb any excess moisture.
Once the cheese is wrapped, you can place it in an airtight container. This could be a plastic zip bag or plastic wrap, or a reusable container such as Tupperware. This will help to control the moisture around the cheese, keeping it fresh.
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Control moisture around the cheese
Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese, which means it has a lower moisture content than soft and semi-soft cheeses. However, it still needs to be stored correctly to prevent mould from growing.
To control the moisture around the cheese, you should wrap it in plastic wrap or specialty cheese paper, then place it in the crisper drawer of your fridge. It's important to use a fresh piece of wrap or paper each time you re-wrap the cheese. This will help to prevent mould-causing moisture from collecting on the surface of the cheese without drying it out. You can also add a layer of wax paper or parchment paper before using plastic wrap.
If you are storing grated or sliced cheese, place it in a resealable plastic container or a plastic bag. You can also add a dry piece of paper towel to absorb any excess moisture and help keep the cheese dry. Make sure to seal the bag tightly to minimise exposure to the air and prevent the cheese from drying out.
It's worth noting that the length of time you can keep cheese differs by variety. In general, harder cheeses will last longer than softer ones. So, while soft and semi-soft cheeses should be consumed within a week, semi-hard cheeses like cheddar will last between 7 to 10 days when properly stored.
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Freeze grated cheddar
If you have a large block of cheddar cheese, grating it and then freezing it is a great way to make it last longer. This method is also perfect if you want to sprinkle cheese on your pasta, pizza, or tacos.
How to freeze grated cheddar
First, grate your block of cheddar cheese. Next, place the grated cheese in a bowl or plastic freezer bag. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per pound of cheese to the bowl or bag. Stir the cheese and cornstarch in the bowl or shake them in a sealed bag until the cornstarch evenly covers all of the cheese shreds. Transfer the cheese from the bowl to the bag if it's not already in the bag, and press the air out of the bag and reseal tightly. To reduce freezer burn, you may double bag.
You can freeze grated cheddar for about 2 months before it deteriorates too much. When it comes to using your frozen grated cheddar, you can either allow it to defrost slowly by placing it in a bowl and leaving it in the fridge overnight or use it straight from frozen.
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Rub a thin layer of butter onto the cheese
Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese that is placed in moulds for months or years. To prevent mould, it is recommended to wrap the cheese in plastic wrap or specialty cheese paper, then place it in the crisper drawer. However, another method to prevent mould is to rub a thin layer of butter onto the cheese.
Rubbing a thin layer of butter onto the cheese can help to lock in moisture and preserve the cheese's flavour. The oils in the butter keep the cheese fresh. This method is particularly effective for preserving the quality of hard cheeses like Parmesan or Cheddar. While it may work for softer cheeses like mozzarella or feta, it is most effective with firmer varieties.
To apply the butter, ensure it is at room temperature for easy spreading. Then, gently apply the butter with a knife, covering the cheese's entire exterior evenly. The harder the cheese, the easier it will be to remove the butter coating when it's time to cook. The butter can be easily wiped away, or left on the cheese if you enjoy the added richness it brings to your dish.
After applying the butter, you can wrap the cheese in wax paper or store it in an airtight container for added protection. This will prevent the butter from getting all over your fridge.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese, so to prevent it from molding, wrap it in plastic wrap or specialty cheese paper, then place it in the crisper drawer. Rewrap the cheese with a new piece after each use to prolong freshness.
You can also rub a thin layer of butter onto the cheese as the oils in the butter keep the cheese fresh. You can also grate the cheese and store it in an airtight container in the freezer.
A bit of mold on the cheese won't kill you, but large doses could. If you find mold on your cheddar, cut off the moldy part and the rest of the cheese is still fine to eat.
