
Cheese wax is used to coat cheeses to prevent unwanted mould growth while retaining moisture during the ageing process. It comes in every colour of the rainbow, with red, yellow and black being the most common. Clear cheese wax is also used as a base coat for coloured wax. Black wax, for example, is often used to indicate age, with aged Parmesan and cheddar cheeses often coated in black wax.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Coating cheeses to prevent unwanted mould growth while retaining moisture during the ageing process |
| Composition | Paraffin (a petroleum-based solid), microcrystalline waxes, and colouring |
| Colour | Every colour of the rainbow, but most commonly red, yellow and black |
| Meaning of colour | Black wax often indicates age |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheese wax comes in every colour of the rainbow, with red, yellow and black being the most common
- Clear cheese wax is typically a base coat for coloured cheese wax
- Black cheese wax often indicates the cheese is aged
- Cheese wax is made for coating cheeses to prevent unwanted mould growth while retaining moisture during the ageing process
- Cheese wax contains paraffin (a petroleum-based solid), microcrystalline waxes, and colouring

Cheese wax comes in every colour of the rainbow, with red, yellow and black being the most common
Black cheese wax often has a meaning. For example, if a cheese is coated in black wax, it usually indicates age. You'll often find aged Parmesan cheese in black wax, as well as some cheddars. As cheddar ages, it becomes crumblier, with a sharper, nuttier flavour. It also becomes saltier, as the ageing process causes salt crystals to develop.
Clear cheese wax is typically used as a base coat for coloured cheese wax. Using two or three coats of cheese wax is standard, so cheesemakers will sometimes use a clear coat before applying the coloured wax.
Cheese wax typically contains paraffin (a petroleum-based solid), microcrystalline waxes, and colouring. Unfortunately, as most cheese wax contains paraffin, it is not compostable and you should avoid putting it into your food waste bin.
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Clear cheese wax is typically a base coat for coloured cheese wax
Cheese wax is used to coat cheeses to prevent unwanted mould growth while retaining moisture during the ageing process. It can come in any colour of the rainbow, but the most common are red, yellow and black. Clear cheese wax is typically a base coat for coloured cheese wax. Using two or three coats of cheese wax is the standard, so cheesemakers will sometimes use a clear coat before applying the coloured wax. The colour of the wax can indicate the age of the cheese. For example, aged Parmesan is often coated in black wax.
Cheese wax typically contains paraffin (a petroleum-based solid), microcrystalline waxes, and colouring. Unfortunately, as most cheese wax contains paraffin, it is not compostable and you should not put it in your food waste bin. When you are ready to eat your cheese, the wax is simply peeled off and can be strained through a cheese or butter muslin cloth.
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Black cheese wax often indicates the cheese is aged
Cheese wax is made for coating cheeses to prevent unwanted mould growth while retaining moisture during the ageing process. It comes in every colour of the rainbow, though the most common are red, yellow and black. Clear cheese wax is typically used as a base coat for coloured cheese wax.
Black cheese wax often indicates that the cheese is aged. For example, aged Parmesan cheese is often found in black wax. Originating in the Parma region of Italy, Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard cheese with a fruity, nutty flavour. Cheddar is another cheese that sometimes comes in black wax. As it ages, cheddar becomes crumblier, with a sharper, nuttier flavour. It is also saltier, as the ageing process causes salt crystals to develop in the cheese.
Cheese wax typically contains paraffin (a petroleum-based solid), microcrystalline waxes, and colouring. Unfortunately, as most cheese wax contains paraffin, it is not compostable and should not be put in your food waste bin.
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Cheese wax is made for coating cheeses to prevent unwanted mould growth while retaining moisture during the ageing process
Cheese wax comes in every colour of the rainbow, although the most common are red, yellow and black. Clear cheese wax is often used as a base coat for coloured wax. The colour of the wax can indicate the age of the cheese, with black wax often used for aged Parmesan or cheddar.
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Cheese wax contains paraffin (a petroleum-based solid), microcrystalline waxes, and colouring
Cheese wax is used to coat cheeses to prevent unwanted mould growth while retaining moisture during the ageing process. It comes in every colour of the rainbow, but the most common are red, yellow and black. Clear cheese wax is often used as a base coat for coloured wax.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese wax contains paraffin (a petroleum-based solid), microcrystalline waxes, and colouring.
Cheese wax is used to coat cheeses to prevent unwanted mould growth while retaining moisture during the ageing process.
Cheese wax comes in every colour of the rainbow, but the most common are red, yellow and black. Clear cheese wax is also used as a base coat for coloured wax.
Black cheese wax often indicates that the cheese is aged. For example, aged Parmesan and cheddar are often coated in black wax.
























