Patrick Oconnell
Blue cheese is notoriously difficult to store. Its delicate cheese paste with blue veining makes it susceptible to oxidization and drying out. If wrapped too tightly in plastic or paper, it can grow unwanted bacteria and become inedible. Blue cheese is also susceptible to mould spores, which can contaminate other cheeses. To store blue cheese, it should be wrapped in wax paper or foil, placed in an airtight container, and stored in the warmest part of the fridge, such as the vegetable drawer. It should be kept away from strongly-scented foods to prevent flavour transfer.
How to store blue cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wrapping | Use wax paper, parchment paper, aluminium foil or cheese paper. |
| Container | Place wrapped cheese in an airtight container. |
| Fridge location | Store in the warmest part of the fridge, typically the cheese or vegetable drawer. |
| Fridge contents | Keep away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavour transfer. |
| Counter location | Store in a traditional cheese dome or a Cheese Grotto. |
| Counter contents | Keep blue cheese separate from other cheeses to avoid mould contamination. |
| Temperature | Bring to room temperature before serving. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Blue cheese should be stored in a high-humidity climate
Blue cheese is notoriously tricky to store. Its delicate pierced blue veining makes it more susceptible to oxidizing and losing surface moisture. To keep blue cheese as its cheesemaker intended, it's important to store it in a high-humidity climate.
Blue cheese likes to be stored in a climate with at least 80% humidity to keep its paste fresh. This can be achieved by placing the wrapped cheese in a humid section of the fridge, like the vegetable drawer. If you're storing cheese on the counter, in a traditional cheese dome, be sure to lift the dome to allow fresh air to get to the cheese. This will prevent the cheese from suffocating.
The Cheese Grotto is a popular option for storing blue cheese. It self-regulates high humidity with its included clay brick humidifier and has a breathable back panel, allowing fresh air to circulate around the cheese gently. 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. However, if your goal is to keep your blue cheese for as long as possible, store the Grotto in the fridge.
It's important to note that excessive humidity can lead to undesirable mould growth, so it's crucial to monitor humidity levels and check the cheese regularly for signs of spoilage.
Humboldt Fog: A Blue Cheese or Not?
You may want to see also
Wrap blue cheese in wax paper or foil
Blue cheese is a delicate cheese type that can be tricky to store. Its soft paste and blue veining make it susceptible to oxidation and moisture loss. To keep blue cheese fresh, it should be stored in a high-humidity environment.
When wrapping blue cheese, it is best to avoid using plastic wrap or cling film. This can cause the cheese to degrade rapidly and can trap moisture, leading to the growth of unwanted bacteria. Instead, opt for wax paper or foil. Wax paper allows the cheese to breathe and prevents additional moisture from building up. It is also recommended by experts as a superior alternative to cling film for storing cheese.
If using wax paper, you can combine this with a labelling system. Write the name of the cheese on a strip of cardstock and the date of purchase, so you can keep track of how long you have had it. Place the label face down on a sheet of plastic wrap, then lay the wax paper on top. This method also works with parchment paper.
Foil is another good option for wrapping blue cheese, especially once it is done aging. The foil layer prevents air exchange, stopping the blue mold from growing a thick layer and affecting the flavour. This type of wrap is also ideal if your cheese has a low moisture content or is not actively developing a mold surface.
Blue Cheese and Eggs: What's the Connection?
You may want to see also
Store blue cheese in the warmest part of the fridge
Blue cheese can be tricky to store. Its delicate cheese paste and blue veining make it susceptible to oxidation and moisture loss. To prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria, avoid wrapping blue cheese too tightly in plastic or cheese paper, as this can trap moisture and cause degradation. Instead, opt for breathable storage solutions like a Cheese Grotto, which provide a gently aerated, humid environment.
When storing blue cheese in the fridge, it's important to consider that the warmest part of the fridge is typically the compartments inside the door. This warmer area is suitable for condiments and drinks but not for dairy products that require colder temperatures, such as milk, yoghurt, and some types of cheese. Butter and cheese, however, don't require extremely cold temperatures and can be stored in the butter compartment on the door.
If you're aiming for maximum longevity for your blue cheese, storing it in the warmest part of the fridge, such as the door compartments, may not be ideal. The higher temperatures in these areas can accelerate spoilage for certain dairy products. Instead, consider storing your blue cheese in the main body of the fridge, where it will remain cooler for longer.
However, if you plan to consume your blue cheese within a short period, the door compartments can provide a convenient storage option. Keeping your blue cheese at a slightly warmer temperature in these compartments might sacrifice some shelf life but could offer the benefit of having it ready to eat whenever desired, eliminating the need to wait for it to warm up before serving.
In summary, while the warmest part of the fridge is not the ideal location for long-term blue cheese storage, it can be a viable option if you prioritise convenience and plan to consume the cheese within a reasonable timeframe.
Best Places to Buy Roka Blue Cheese Spread
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Don't store blue cheese in plastic Tupperware
Blue cheese is a tricky type of cheese to store. Its delicate cheese paste and pierced blue veining make it more prone to oxidation and the loss of surface moisture. Wrapping blue cheese too tightly in plastic or cheese paper can trap moisture, encouraging the growth of unwanted bacteria (often pinkish in colour) and making the cheese inedible.
For this reason, it is not recommended to store blue cheese in plastic Tupperware. Instead, blue cheese should be stored in a climate with high humidity. One option is to use a Cheese Grotto, which self-regulates humidity and has a breathable back panel, allowing fresh air to circulate around the cheese. The Cheese Grotto does not require you to wrap your cheese, and its clay brick humidifier helps to maintain the humidity that blue cheese needs.
If you are storing blue cheese in the fridge, it is recommended to use the cheese drawer, which helps to maintain the cheese's natural moisture. You can wrap the cheese in parchment paper and place it in a zip-top bag, which will allow it to breathe while also keeping it from getting too warm.
If you are storing blue cheese on the counter, you can use a traditional cheese dome, but be sure to lift the dome regularly to allow fresh air to reach the cheese. Another option is to use Black Resin shelving, which is non-porous and dishwasher-safe, and helps to minimise the chance of blue cheese blooming.
Blue Cheese Safety: Chick-fil-A's Pasteurization Promise
You may want to see also
Blue cheese should be eaten at room temperature
Blue cheese is a tricky type of cheese to store. Its delicate cheese paste with blue veining makes it susceptible to oxidization and loss of surface moisture. If you wrap blue cheese too tightly in plastic or paper, it can trap moisture, leading to the growth of unwanted bacteria and making it inedible.
To avoid this, blue cheese should be stored in a high-humidity environment, ideally at 80% humidity or above. One way to achieve this is by using a Cheese Grotto, which self-regulates humidity with a clay brick humidifier and has a breathable back panel to allow fresh air to circulate. The Cheese Grotto can be kept on the counter or in the fridge, depending on your preferences.
If you plan to consume the blue cheese within a week, keeping it at room temperature in the Cheese Grotto is a good option. This way, the cheese will be ready to eat at any moment, with no need to wait for it to come to room temperature before serving. The flavour and texture of the blue cheese will be optimal straight from the Grotto.
However, if you want to extend the shelf life of your blue cheese, it is better to store it in the fridge, either in the Cheese Grotto or wrapped in cheese paper or bee's wrap in the vegetable drawer. Storing blue cheese in the fridge will slow down fermentation and keep it fresh for longer.
Blue Cheese Dressing: Is Ken's Pasteurized?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Wrap blue cheese in wax paper or aluminium foil and place it in an airtight container in the warmest part of the fridge, typically the cheese or vegetable drawer.
Blue cheese likes to be stored in a high-humidity environment. Avoid wrapping it too tightly in plastic or cheese paper as this can cause unwanted bacteria to grow due to trapped moisture.
Yes, but make sure to wrap it appropriately to prevent mould spores from contaminating other cheeses. Do not use the same wrapper for multiple types of cheese.
Leaving blue cheese out at room temperature will make it ready to eat at any moment, eliminating the need to bring it to room temperature before serving. However, if you want to keep it for as long as possible, store it in the fridge.
