How Do I Properly Store Cheese?

Ever had the most delicious block of cheese that you just find yourself constantly nibbling at only to suddenly find that it's gone too hard to enjoy? Or maybe you wanted to get that great block you were enjoying a week ago back out, only to discover it's covered in mold. I'm sure this has happened to every cheese lover out there and it's always sad when you find yours has gone bad.

Fortunately, this can be quite preventable. Before deciding how to store yours you may want to consider what kind it is you're working with. Shredded is prone to mold because of the large surface available to air. It's best if used quickly as obviously it's impossible to cut mold off of the finely shredded pieces and still use it. If you've bought several bags because of a sale, store the majority of them in the freezer. They will last here as long as three months and sometimes longer, the important thing to remember is to defrost them in your refrigerator. This helps to maintain the texture and flavor.

If you've purchased standard brick cheeses (firm, non-specialty) the best way is in an airtight container. If you can keep the majority of the brick in its original packaging and then seal the rest in a zip lock bag you're off to a great start. Some of the stronger flavored or porous kinds (like Swiss) do best if you wrap them in foil first then seal in a zip lock or other air tight container. These can also be stored in a freezer for up to three months, again defrost in the refrigerator. The biggest thing to remember here is to get as much of the air out as possible. Air is a cheese's worst enemy, it fosters the growth of mold and it can harden the ends and corners, or entire blocks.

For specialty varieties it can vary. Feta is best kept in a plastic, airtight container in a salt bath. Store fresh, rind less and natural rind cheeses in foil, then plastic wrap and discard if you find mold. Washed rind cheeses should be wrapped and stored in a plastic container with holes to promote some circulation. Also it's important to place a damp paper towel in the bottom to promote humidity.

Whichever delicious style you've brought home, your safest bet is to keep the air out, preventing mold and hardening and enjoy your purchase before much delay!