How to keep cheese fresh in the refrigerator for a long time: useful tips and tricks

In our article we will talk about how you can keep cheese fresh for a long time in the refrigerator and freezer.

Cheese is a popular product that is included in many dishes and is suitable for a nutritious snack, so housewives often buy it for future use. However, not everyone can store it for a long time. Improper organization of cheese storage, non-compliance with temperature and humidity conditions lead to rapid spoilage of the product, drying out or the appearance of mold.

You can store cheese at home. To do this, be sure to take into account the type and expiration date of the product, and also follow the recommended storage conditions

What kind of blue cheese is there?

As you know, there is not just one blue cheese, there are several of them and, in addition, they all differ in taste. Why is this so? The fact is that these products contain different types of mold. There is cheese covered with a white coating. It could be Brie or Camembert. This delicacy is prepared in a special basement with walls completely covered with fungi, the genus of which is called.

The first type of blue cheese is a cheese whose crust is covered with a white coating. This is the smallest group of blue cheeses, but it includes the well-known Camembert and Brie in our country. The white mold that covers cheeses belongs to the penicillin genus.

Fourme d'Ambert and Roquefort are considered especially popular. They are probably on the lips of many people now. Blue mold is used to make these cheeses. So that mold can easily grow inside the delicacy, you need to add curd mass to it. This is done using special tubes. You can even see traces of these devices if you make a cut in the cheese.

There are also cheeses with red mold. While the cheese is in the ripening stage, it is treated with cultures that give it its red color. Of the red cheeses, it is worth highlighting Livaro, as well as Munster.

Which varieties should not be stored together?

Cheeses of different types must not be stored together. Products quickly absorb odors, so each variety should be stored in separate packaging.

In addition, the product should not be stored together with dishes that have a strong odor. The cheese itself should be carefully packaged after each use, since it not only absorbs aromas, but also actively distributes them.

The popular belief that mice love cheese is just a myth. Rodents avoid the product precisely because of its pungent odor.

How to store blue cheese?

It is known that all blue cheeses are biologically active. This means that their ripening process continues continuously, and a noticeable change in taste occurs. It seems to be intensifying. This is affected by a certain temperature. For this reason, it is not recommended to store such cheeses if the thermometer drops below zero. If the cheese freezes, then when it thaws it will simply crumble and become grainy.

What needs to be done to prevent this from happening? To do this, the temperature must be +1+6 degrees. How to store blue cheese in the refrigerator? In this case, the product is placed in a separate compartment, preferably away from vegetables. As for air humidity, it should be from 90 to 98%.

As a rule, blue cheeses are packaged separately. This is done to prevent mold from spreading to other types of cheese. It is also necessary to cover the entire surface of the product, preferably this is the same packaging in which it was sold. If the packaging has been thrown away, then foil or cling film will do just fine. To best preserve the special flavor, these cheeses can be wrapped in parchment.

You should not store sharp-smelling cheeses together, as well as delicate varieties, because the latter can absorb intense odors and lose their distinctiveness.

Also, in order to cut blue cheese, it is best to use a special knife, the blade of which should be short and the back side perforated or thin, otherwise the cheese will stick. This knife is ideal for cutting soft, gourmet cheeses.

other methods

Cheese can be stored for about a week without the use of special cooling equipment. To do this, take a cotton towel or gauze, soak it in strong brine, squeeze, wrap the cheese and put it in a cool, dark place. Soak the fabric in brine daily. Salt will stop the proliferation of dangerous microorganisms, and a sufficient amount of moisture will protect the piece of cheese from drying out.

You can wrap a piece of cheese in parchment, put it in a container and put it in the cold.

And the third option is to put it in a bucket of ice water and press it down with a weight. Make sure that the water does not heat up.

Important!

These storage methods are only suitable for hard cheese. Their shelf life depends on temperature and humidity levels.

Different types of cheese cannot be kept together.

What is the shelf life of blue cheese?

Without any doubt, any blue cheese is a very healthy product, since it contains up to twenty-five percent protein, as well as minerals and vitamins. However, if the shelf life of blue cheese is violated, in this case it can cause harm to the body, because mold bacteria will become pathogenic.

As for shelf life, this cheese is usually stored for no more than two months. But if the product has already been purchased, then you should still eat it immediately.

Useful tips for preserving Parmesan cheese

It is better to store Parmesan not in store packaging, but in parchment paper wrapped on top with foil. This way the cheese retains its taste and smell better.

The storage period should not be exceeded (6-8 months). It is best to write down the date on the package; if you plan to store it for a long time, write the date on paper and attach it to the package with tape, so you will always know by what date a particular piece should be used.

Crushed Parmesan is preserved much worse, so when preparing dishes you should more accurately calculate the amount of product needed. If you still have some grated cheese left, it can easily stay in the refrigerator for a week.

How can you tell if blue cheese has gone bad?

It’s not always possible to immediately eat a product after purchasing; you can also safely forget about it, and it will sit in the refrigerator. However, there are certain signs by which you can determine that cheese belongs in the trash can, and not in the stomach. Let's look at them:

You can see a dry layer along the cheese crust. This is clear evidence that the cheese has been stored for quite a long time.
If the cheese crumbles, it means that it is not fresh.
There is also a low-quality product that has a large number of holes. This is usually observed in soft white cheese.
As for blue cheese, in this case there should not be a lot of mold.

Features of Parmesan

The original Parmesan is produced only in Northern Italy. This is all because the legislation of the European Union enshrines an act that explains that Parmesan can only be cheese that is produced in specific cities of Northern Italy.

Parmesan is prepared according to an old recipe from cow's milk. This cheese is hard and brittle; after breaking Parmesan, crumbs are formed; the cheese also has a delicate taste and aftertaste. Parmesan is very rich in vitamins and beneficial microelements, but despite its usefulness, it is very high in calories.

What is the shelf life of Camembert cheese?

Camembert is a type of cheese with white mold that ripens from the rind to the very center. The best Camembert always comes from Normandy and is sold in small wooden boxes stamped Camembert de Normandie Appelation d'Origine Controlee au Lait Cru. This cheese is made from fresh milk.

If the product is of high quality and already fully ripe, then its consistency should be dense at the edges and soft at the center. Sometimes it happens that the core of the product is hard, but the edges are soft. This indicates that the maturation did not proceed correctly. The rind of the cheese is usually white; in addition, gray-blue is allowed, with streaks of red-brown color. Camembert emits a pleasant creamy mushroom aroma. If the product is overripe. Then the smell will be pungent, almost ammonia-like. It is best not to eat this type of cheese.

When Camembert sits for a week, its crust will become fluffy and white, but the core will not be too soft. If the cheese is stored for 5 weeks, then the fluffiness will disappear, and the crust will acquire a reddish-white hue. If you touch the cheese, it will seem soft, but if you taste it, it will be fatty, like cream. Gourmets especially appreciate well-ripened semi-liquid Camembert.

Before you buy cheese, you should consider its expiration date, which is usually written on the packaging. You should enjoy cheese in the last 5 days of this period.

How to store Camembert cheese? Some people leave the cheese in the refrigerator without packaging. In this case, it dries out and its aroma is lost. That is why the cut area should be covered with film.

Common mistakes when storing cheese

There are several common mistakes that prevent cheese from being stored in the refrigerator for a long time.

Firstly, it cannot be left in open original packaging. The product must be transferred to a container or wrapped in parchment.

Wrapped cheese in special paper

Secondly, you should not store already sliced cheese, as this will cause it to dry out quickly. If it is already sliced, it is better to freeze it and then use it to make pizza.

Thirdly, pickled cheeses cannot be stored in an open pan or jar. The container must be closed.

It is better to fill such cheese with factory-made brine or saline solution, but not with boiled water.

How long can blue cheese be stored?

When buying cheese, you should look at the cut, which should not have an excess of cheese channels, otherwise the product may be considered not quite fresh. The cheese itself is quite loose, but it shouldn’t crumble completely. The product must also be wrapped in wax paper and sealed in an airtight container.

As for the method of storing cheese, it is best to keep it in a cool place, and in packaging, otherwise mold will spread to other products. If the cheese smells like ammonia, it means it is not entirely fresh. Typically, soft cheese will keep for about seven days after opening the package. If the cheese is hard, then the period increases to three weeks. It’s better to get rid of the expired product.

There is also one good piece of advice from real experts, according to which blue cheeses are best stored in a special cabinet in which light does not penetrate and air circulates. The optimal temperature is considered if it is not lower than 0 and not higher than 5 degrees. In cases where the choice falls on cheese that is already sliced, then pay attention to ensure that the surface of the product

Cheese freezing

Many housewives are concerned about the question: is it possible to freeze cheese in the freezer for storage? Experts are against freezing, and this is due to a number of factors. First of all, frozen cheese changes consistency and crumbles a lot after defrosting. As a rule, such a product can only be used as an ingredient in the preparation of hot dishes.

Cheeses that have been in the freezer lose their taste and aroma. Some varieties even become rubbery after defrosting. The exception is homemade cottage cheese, which is close to cheese in its production method. It tolerates freezing well without losing its nutritional and taste qualities.

Cottage cheese tolerates freezing well without losing its taste and nutritional properties. To preserve the product, place it in a ziplock bag and place it in the freezer.

Sometimes freezing is the only way to preserve a large amount of product for a long time. Before placing the cheese in the freezer, cut it into slices or grate it. Place the workpiece in zip bags, attach a sticker indicating the variety and date of freezing, and then put it in the freezer. This storage method is used in catering establishments.

Shelf life of Brie cheese

Brie cheese is a wonderful table product that can enhance any dish. Also, the aroma of this cheese will be indispensable for sauces and fondues. As a rule, it is not served immediately from the refrigerator; first, it must stand at room temperature for some time.

Is it not recommended to eat overripe cheese? In order to make sure that the product is unusable, you should press lightly on the surface, which will immediately press through. This cheese will smell like ammonia, and its crust is usually sticky and brown in color. Brie cheese does not last long, so it should be eaten as quickly as possible.

If even a small part of the cheese is cut off, it stops ripening. What is the shelf life of this white mold cheese? In its entirety, the product is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 6 months, and the temperature should be +2-4 degrees.

What can you do to avoid having to store or throw away cheese for a long time?

Try to buy just enough cheese to last you 2-3 days. This is not difficult if you learn to plan and create a menu for several days in advance. If you like pizza and hot sandwiches, buy 200-300 g of the product every 1-2 days. If cheese dishes do not dominate your diet, a 200-gram package will last you for a week. Leftovers that are not needed in the next few days can be frozen and later used for making soups and baked goods.

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What is the shelf life of Gorgonzola cheese?

This Italian cheese is quite sharp and piquant in taste, so it will become a welcome snack on every table. When choosing a good cheese, you should pay attention to its color, which is usually white, sometimes there is a slight yellowish tint.

When the cheese is too yellow, this indicates that it has been sitting for a long time. The cracks in the cheese should have a greenish-blue hue, and as for the consistency, it should be soft. Fresh young cheese usually smells nutty, while more mature cheese exudes a pungent aroma, even somewhat spicy.

How long can this blue cheese be stored? To avoid mistakes regarding storage, you should follow two rules:

Gorgonzola can be stored for no more than sixty days from the date of production. If the shelf life of the product is extended, this indicates that it contains various preservatives.
If the cheese turns out to be crumbly, it means that its expiration date has passed. When a product is stored at low temperatures, the moisture in it will freeze and the product itself will crumble. As for the taste, it will lose its original qualities.
If there is too much mold on the cheese, then it is definitely stale.

It is best not to store cheese in the refrigerator, because in such conditions it can absorb a bouquet of different odors, and this will change the taste noticeably. That is why it is worth wrapping the product in a cloth, which has been previously moistened with water and salt, and placing it in any cool place. Soft varieties are stored for about three days, and hard ones no more than seven.

General storage rules

Hard cheese can melt when heated and lose its properties and taste at low temperatures. In a dry environment, it begins to dry out quickly. Therefore, it is not recommended to store it without an individual shell or package.

You should not buy cheese in reserve - it spoils quickly. It is better to buy 100-150 grams, but often. In two days, on the third, for example.

A small piece of refined sugar placed next to the cheese in a plastic bag will protect against mold. Don't be alarmed if a piece begins to mold. It is still edible, just cut off the damaged edge. This rule applies only to hard cheese. But if mold is visible on a soft product, it can no longer be eaten.

It is worth remembering: cheese does not like sudden temperature changes. It must be removed from the refrigerator about an hour before serving. This action can return the product to its natural taste. It is better to cut the cheese immediately before eating, otherwise it will weather and lose its characteristic smell.

It is recommended to store all varieties in separate containers or bags. So, Parmesan must be kept separate from the Hollandaise so that the cheese flavors do not mix.

Determining the shelf life of Roquefort cheese

Roquefort is considered a delicious semi-soft cheese produced in France. As a rule, fresh sheep's milk is used for its preparation. It is called the king of cheese, and it fully lives up to its name. However, before purchasing this delicious product, many people wonder how long this blue cheese can be stored?

Externally, a good cheese should be oily and white in color. There should also be blue blotches. As for the consistency, it is always soft. The longer the cheese is stored, the more mold is present on it. This cheese is best not eaten. As for the packaging, there is always a red seal with an image of a sheep on it.

The natural product has a pungent odor without any sourness. Roquefort must be stored at a temperature of six degrees, so you should choose a cellar or refrigerator. But you shouldn’t freeze cheese, otherwise all the beneficial microelements will be destroyed. In addition, it will fall apart into crumbs, and this is undesirable. As for warm temperatures, in this case fungus will develop on the cheese.

Like many cheeses, Roquefort is not recommended to be kept next to other products, especially if they are onions or fish. This is how housewives wrap cheese in parchment. Even ordinary foil will do. In this case, it is not recommended to use polyethylene and cling film to prevent the cheese from suffocating. If the product is stored correctly, its shelf life can reach about four weeks.

As we can see, blue cheese is not stored for such a long time; in addition, in order for it not to spoil, it needs to create certain conditions.

Can it be frozen?

Cheese can be frozen. In this form it can be stored for up to six months. Only hard varieties can be subjected to long-term freezing, while soft varieties can be frozen for a period of no more than a month.

You can freeze cheese either in whole pieces or in small portions or in grated form. Cling film, parchment or a plastic container are suitable for packaging.

It is important to remember that after freezing the taste of the product deteriorates , so it should not be consumed fresh.

Health Benefits

Thanks to penicillin, all mold aristocrats have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Cheeses are very healthy , but thanks to cultivated fungi they acquire the following beneficial properties:

activate calcium absorption;
promote the synthesis of melanin in the skin. This helps neutralize the harmful effects of sunlight.
normalize intestinal function , preventing flatulence and dysbacteriosis;
restore hormonal balance , improve psycho-emotional state due to increased production of glucocorticoids secreted by the adrenal glands;
promote rapid wound healing thanks to the amino acids valine and histidine;
have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart muscle , improve the condition of blood vessels. Vitamin K and substances released by sprouted mold spores prevent the formation of blood clots and activate blood flow.

For good health, the daily intake of cheese should not exceed 50 g.

Noble mold

During the production of mold cheeses, milk is subjected to fermentation. At this stage, noble types of white or blue mold are specially introduced into the product. Cheesemakers create favorable conditions for its development. They maintain optimal temperature and humidity.

Noble molds process nutrients from milk. They give cheese texture, smell, color and taste.

Why does cheese spoil and become moldy?

It is important to remember that this is a living and therefore perishable product. Deterioration occurs due to violation of storage conditions or as a result of “aging”. Lactic acid bacteria die at sub-zero temperatures, and pathogenic ones develop at high temperatures. Mold grows on a sweaty surface. And with a lack of moisture, the cheese dries out and cracks.

Fine: