Patrick Oconnell
Sliced cheese should be stored in a way that preserves its moisture, texture, and taste. Cheese is a breathing product, and therefore needs to be stored in a way that allows for gas exchange and maintains humidity. The best way to store sliced cheese is to wrap it in wax or parchment paper, then add a layer of plastic wrap and place it in the vegetable crisper drawer of your fridge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wrapping | Wax paper, parchment paper, or cheese paper |
| Plastic wrap | Avoid, or use as an additional layer of protection |
| Container | Reusable containers are best |
| Temperature | 35-45 °F (2-7 °C) |
| Location | Vegetable crisper or drawer at the bottom of the fridge |
| Humidity | High humidity is best |
| Exposure | Avoid exposing edges to air |
| Slicing | Slice only what you intend to use |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid plastic wrap—use wax paper or parchment paper instead
When it comes to storing sliced cheese, it's important to remember that cheese is a living, breathing food. It needs to breathe, and it needs to be protected from excess moisture. Plastic wrap is not ideal for cheese storage because it traps moisture, which can promote mould formation and negatively impact the flavour of the cheese.
A better alternative to plastic wrap is wax paper or parchment paper. These papers allow the cheese to breathe and continue maturing, preventing it from drying out while also protecting it from excess moisture. When using wax or parchment paper, place the cheese on the paper and wrap it around the cheese, securing it gently with tape or a sticker label. This will ensure that the cheese is completely covered. You can then add a layer of plastic wrap or place the wrapped cheese in a plastic bag for additional protection, especially if storing in the fridge.
It is also important to note that slicing cheese increases its surface area, exposing more of the cheese to possible contamination, oxidation, and dehydration, which can shorten its shelf life. Therefore, it is recommended to only slice as much cheese as you intend to use each time.
Additionally, the ideal storage location for cheese is in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator, where the temperature is colder and more stable, with more humidity, which benefits the cheese. The drawers in the refrigerator provide a consistent temperature and humidity, preventing the cheese from getting too cold or too dry.
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Store in the fridge at 35-45 °F (2-7 °C)
Sliced cheese should be stored in the fridge at a temperature of 35-45 °F (2-7 °C). The drawers in a refrigerator have the most consistent temperature and humidity, so cheese won't dry out or get too cold. The best drawer is the one closest to the bottom of the fridge, often the vegetable drawer.
To store sliced cheese, wrap it in wax or parchment paper, then add a layer of plastic wrap and place it in the drawer. Make sure the cheese is completely covered. Alternatively, you can store cheese in a reusable container.
If you use plastic wrap, ""face" the cheese before each use to improve the taste. This means using a cheese knife to cut off a slice that has been in direct contact with the plastic and then discarding it. Plastic wrap can give cheese a plastic flavour, so it's best to avoid it if possible.
Cheese should be stored in an environment that allows for gas exchange. Cheese paper is a good option, as it lets the cheese breathe and prevents it from drying out. The coated side of the cheese paper goes near the cheese, and then the paper is folded around the cheese and taped or tied shut. Parchment paper is a good substitute.
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Place in the vegetable drawer at the bottom of the fridge
Storing sliced cheese in the vegetable drawer at the bottom of the fridge is a great way to keep your cheese fresh. This is because the drawers in a refrigerator have the most consistent temperature and humidity, so the cheese won't dry out or get too cold. The bottom drawer is also the warmest part of the fridge, which is ideal for cheese storage.
To make the most of this storage method, it is important to wrap the cheese properly. Avoid using plastic wrap or plastic bags, as these can cause the cheese to sweat and affect the flavour. Instead, opt for wax or parchment paper, or buy specialty cheese paper, which is designed to let the cheese breathe and prevent it from drying out. If you do use plastic, make sure it is only as an additional layer of protection over the paper to prevent the cheese from absorbing other flavours in the fridge.
Before placing the cheese in the vegetable drawer, ensure it is wrapped completely and then loosely covered in plastic wrap. Label the cheese with the type and date of purchase, so you know when it needs to be consumed or discarded.
Remember, sliced cheese has a larger surface area, which can lead to faster dehydration and contamination. Therefore, it is best to only slice as much cheese as you need each time and store the rest in the vegetable drawer, wrapped properly.
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Don't slice it until you're ready to use it
Sliced cheese is best stored in the refrigerator, in an environment that allows for gas exchange. Cheese is a living, breathing thing, and closing it off to air can cause it to dry out or take on the flavour of plastic.
If you're storing a block of cheese, it's best not to slice it until you're ready to use it. Slicing cheese increases its surface area, exposing more of the cheese to possible contamination, oxidation, and dehydration, and thus shortening its shelf life.
Once you've sliced into a block of cheese, it's important to wrap the cheese properly to ensure it doesn't dry out or absorb flavours from the fridge. The best way to wrap cheese is to use cheese paper, a special type of thick paper coated on one side with a combination of wax and polyethylene. The coated side goes near the cheese, and then the paper is folded around the cheese and taped or tied shut. This allows the cheese to continue maturing throughout its intended shelf life, without taking on the phenolic off-flavours typical of plastic contamination. If you're unable to find cheese paper, parchment paper is a good substitute. First, place the parchment or waxed paper flat on your counter and arrange the wedge on top. Then, wrap the cheese in the paper, and then loosely in plastic wrap or a plastic bag.
Regardless of the wrapping, store all types of cheese in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator, where the temperature is cold and stable. The drawers in your refrigerator have the most consistent temperature and humidity, so the cheese won't get too cold or too dry. The best drawer is the one closest to the bottom of the fridge. Ideally, your refrigerator temperature should be set between 35 and 45 °F (2 and 7 °C) for cheese-keeping.
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Don't store in a tightly wrapped package—allow it to breathe
Cheese is a living, breathing food, so storing it in a tightly wrapped package is a big no-no. Cheese needs to breathe, so it's best to avoid suffocating it with plastic wrap, which can also give it a plastic flavour. Plastic wrap also traps moisture, which can cause mould to form.
So, what's the best way to store sliced cheese? Well, there are a few options. Firstly, you can wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper, then add a layer of plastic wrap and place it in the fridge's crisper drawer. This method provides a bit of breathability without drying out the cheese.
Another option is to use cheese paper, a special type of thick paper coated on one side with wax and polyethylene. The coated side goes near the cheese to resist sweating and condensation, and the paper is folded around and taped shut. This allows the cheese to mature without taking on the off-flavours typical of plastic contamination.
You can also store cheese in a reusable container, or a large Tupperware container, which can help keep the cheese from drying out.
Some cheeses, like mozzarella and feta, are packaged in brine to increase their shelf life and improve their texture. If you've purchased a cheese packaged in brine, simply store it in the brine.
And remember, the best way to prevent cheese from going bad is to eat it!
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to store sliced cheese is to wrap it in wax or parchment paper, then add a layer of plastic wrap and place it in the fridge's crisper drawer.
The ideal temperature for storing cheese is between 35 and 45 °F (2 and 7 °C).
Sliced cheese can be stored in the fridge for up to a month.
Specialty cheese paper is recommended for storing cheese. It is a two-ply product that allows cheese to breathe while maintaining humidity. If specialty cheese paper is not available, parchment or wax paper can be used, followed by a layer of plastic wrap.
No, it is not recommended to store cheese in its original plastic packaging. Cheese needs to breathe, and plastic wrap can cause the cheese to absorb unwanted flavours and odours from the fridge.
