Randy Chandler
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in appetizers, salads, cooking, and cheese boards. It is available in a variety of textures, ranging from soft and creamy to firm and crumbly. When it comes to storing goat cheese logs, it's important to consider the type of cheese, the storage container, and the temperature. Fresh goat cheese, also known as chevre, is typically soft, young, and moist, while aged goat cheese has a firmer texture and a stronger flavor due to ripening over a longer period. Proper storage techniques will help maintain the cheese's freshness, flavor, and texture.
How to store goat cheese log
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Goat cheese should be wrapped in parchment paper, wax paper, aluminium foil, or plastic wrap. |
| Container | Store wrapped goat cheese in an airtight glass or plastic container. |
| Refrigerator location | Store goat cheese in the vegetable drawer or the middle of the refrigerator (4–6 °C). |
| Temperature | Store at a temperature between 4 °C and 10 °C. |
| Humidity | Goat cheese needs humidity and room to breathe. |
| Resealing | Reseal goat cheese correctly to prevent it from losing freshness, flavour, and texture. |
| Consumption time | Consume fresh goat cheese within five days or before the "Best By" date. |
| Freezing | Goat cheese can be frozen, preferably within a few days of purchase, for up to 1–2 weeks. |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese storage: Fridge vs. freezer
Storing goat cheese logs can be done in a few different ways, depending on your preferences and how long you want to keep the cheese. The refrigerator is the most convenient place for storing goat cheese, but it can also be kept in the freezer.
Fridge Storage
Goat cheese should be wrapped correctly to avoid transferring odors and flavours between different cheeses and to protect it from microbial contamination. You can wrap each cheese individually in parchment paper, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap. Alternatively, you can opt for a cheese box to keep the cheeses apart from other foods stored in the refrigerator. The vegetable drawer is the perfect location for storing cheese in the fridge. With a temperature normally between 8°C and 10°C, its atmosphere is quite similar to that of a cave, which is the ideal storage location for goat cheese. Depending on your tastes, you can place well-aged cheeses in the middle of your refrigerator between 4°C and 6°C. To stop the ripening of fresh cheese, store it in the top of the refrigerator between 0°C and 4°C. By adopting good wrapping and storage habits, your cheese could last for 2 to 3 weeks and will be more hygienic and taste better.
Freezer Storage
Dry goat cheeses and semi-hard cheeses can withstand freezing and thawing quite well, but fresh and ripened goat cheeses will have their texture and flavour altered by the thawing process. To freeze goat cheese logs, start by wrapping the cheese properly, then place it in an airtight container, preferably made of glass to avoid absorbing odors. Frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor, so it is best suited for cooked dishes. Frozen cheese should be eaten within two months.
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How to wrap goat cheese log
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in appetizers, salads, cooking, and on cheese boards. It is also a perishable product, so it is important to store it correctly.
Goat cheese logs are usually fresh goat cheese, which is soft, young, and moist, with a creamy to crumbly texture. Fresh goat cheese is often packaged in a log shape, and it is best to enjoy it within a week of opening. If you are storing an unopened goat cheese log, it can be kept in the fridge for about two months.
To store a goat cheese log, it is important to wrap it correctly. Firstly, remove the cheese from its original packaging. Fresh goat cheese can be wrapped in parchment paper, wax paper, or aluminum foil. You can then place the wrapped cheese in an airtight container or a glass container with a lid. This will help protect the cheese from microbial contamination and prevent it from drying out. It will also prevent the transfer of odors and flavors between different cheeses.
If you are storing aged goat cheese, it is recommended to store it in a humid environment like a vegetable crisper drawer in the refrigerator. Aged goat cheese has a stronger flavor and a firmer texture, so it can be wrapped in wax paper and then plastic wrap to help maintain its freshness.
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Best containers for storing goat cheese
Goat cheese is a versatile and delicious ingredient, but it needs to be stored correctly to maintain its freshness, flavor, and texture. Here are some of the best containers for storing goat cheese:
Original Packaging
If you have just bought the goat cheese and it is still unopened, the best place for it is in its original packaging. Vacuum-sealed goat cheese can be stored anywhere in the fridge for about two months. However, once opened, it is recommended to take it out of the original packaging to prevent unwanted odors and flavors from developing.
Parchment Paper, Wax Paper, or Aluminum Foil
Wrapping goat cheese in parchment paper, wax paper, or aluminum foil is a great way to protect it from contamination and maintain humidity. This method allows the cheese to breathe, preventing the growth of unwanted mold. It is important to rewrap the cheese in a new layer of paper or foil each time you open it.
Airtight Containers
For extra protection, place the wrapped goat cheese in an airtight container, such as a glass or plastic container with a lid. This helps to regulate humidity and prevent the cheese from drying out. Fresh goat cheese, in particular, will stay fresher for longer in an airtight container.
Cheese Box
A cheese box is a great option for storing multiple types of cheese, including goat cheese. It keeps the cheeses separate from other foods in the refrigerator, preventing odor transfer.
Freezer-Safe Containers
If you have a large amount of goat cheese and want to store it for an extended period, consider freezing it. Cut the goat cheese into portions, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper, and place them in freezer bags. This method allows you to take out a portion at a time, reducing waste.
Cheese Grotto
A Cheese Grotto is a specialized container designed for storing cheese. It provides a humid environment, which is ideal for fresh goat cheese, helping to maintain its texture and preventing it from drying out.
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Goat cheese storage by type: Fresh vs. aged
Goat cheese can be fresh (unripened) or ripened. Fresh goat cheese is soft, young, and not always log-shaped. It should feel firm, not mushy. Soft- or surface-ripened goat cheese develops a white or sometimes wrinkly rind as it ages over weeks; texture-wise, it can range from creamy to crumbly.
Fresh goat cheese should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days of opening. To store fresh goat cheese, remove it from its original packaging and wrap it in wax paper, then plastic wrap, before placing it in the refrigerator drawer. This will help to maintain humidity and allow the cheese to breathe. You can also place it in a lidded plastic or glass container. Another option is to use a cheese box, which will keep the cheese separate from other foods in the refrigerator. If you want to maintain the freshness of the cheese for longer, store it in the top of the refrigerator, between 0 °C and 4 °C.
Aged goat cheese, on the other hand, is firm and ripened over a longer period. It can be quite complex and pungent in flavour. Aged goat cheese can also be stored in the refrigerator and should be consumed within seven days of opening. It is recommended to store aged goat cheese in the middle of the refrigerator, between 4 °C and 6 °C.
Additionally, some sources suggest that goat cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life. However, this method is more suitable for dry and semi-hard goat cheeses, as fresh and ripened goat cheeses may undergo alterations in texture and flavour during the thawing process.
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How long does goat cheese last?
The shelf life of goat cheese depends on whether it is fresh or aged, and whether it has been opened. Fresh goat cheese is soft, young, and moist, and can range from creamy to more crumbly in texture. Aged goat cheese, on the other hand, is ripened over a longer period and thus has a firmer texture and a stronger flavour.
Fresh goat cheese that is unopened and vacuum-sealed can be stored in the fridge for about two months or sometimes longer. However, once opened, it should be consumed within seven days as it will quickly lose its freshness, flavour, and texture. If you are not planning to use it within 3-4 days, you can remove it from the packaging, place it in an airtight container or a ziplock bag, and freeze it.
Aged goat cheese, on the other hand, should be stored in a more stable and humid environment like a vegetable crisper drawer. It should be brought to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the milk fat to soften and ensure maximum flavour.
It is important to note that the "Best By" date on goat cheese packaging is not an expiration or food safety date but indicates how long the product will be at its peak flavour and quality. The cheese can still be consumed after this date, but it may not meet freshness standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Fresh, unopened goat cheese logs can be stored in the fridge for about two months. If you want to store it longer, you can freeze the log. If you have already opened the log, you should remove the original packaging and wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper. Then, store it in the refrigerator.
Fresh goat cheese logs can be stored in the fridge for about two months if they are unopened. Once opened, goat cheese has a shorter shelf life compared to other cheeses. It is recommended to eat fresh goat cheese within five days of opening.
You can freeze goat cheese logs to extend their shelf life. To do this, wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper and store it in a freezer bag. Make sure to squeeze out any excess air before sealing the bag.
After opening a goat cheese log, remove it from the original packaging and wrap it in wax or parchment paper. Then, place the wrapped cheese in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
