All cheese is alive and they should be treated as such.
The flavor of cheese has 3 critical stages and we want to keep them within the first 2 stages at all times.
- Stage 1: Ages from young unripe, and underdeveloped to
- Stage 2: Ripe, mature, and delicious to
- Stage 3: Overripe. Look and taste not appealing anymore
These are the 2 best ways to store your cheese:
- The best way to store your cheese is to keep it in a wooden box. Doing so will keep your cheese at the right (natural) humidity at all times. Alternatively, you can also leave them in their waxed paper and place them in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer (we will share with you several good options in awhile, read on!).
We are currently using this oversized wooden box (see below), it is not the most expensive one but it definitely does the job.
- SELF-ASSEMBLY BREAD BOX: There is detailed installation steps in the instructions, please be sure to install according to the requirements, and control the strength. Please tell me first if there is any problem, I will be responsible for the guidance until it becomes a complete bread box.
- BAMBOO BREAD BOX-The combination of high quality material and superb workmanship, which will protect bread from getting crushed or nibbled by your cute pet and keep bread and dry goods fresher for longer.
- MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DESIGN: 2-Layer Design, a bamboo partition makes the bread box 2 floors, which will avoid effectively deformation of bread caused by extrusion. Removable layer can use for cutting bread.
- SAVE SPACE: Door smoothly slides open and closed,compact roll lid construction doesn't take up any extra space when opened, durable and easy to clean.There are two grooves on both sides of the bread box for easy lifting.
- DIMENTION: L:15”x W:9.8” x H:14.2”, take small kitchen space and brings you twice capacity. And this nature bamboo bread box is suitable for large families of 6-10 people.
- Another good way is to replicate the original conditions of ripening with a temperature between 50 to 54°F and 90% humidity.
Properly wrapping cheese for storage preserves its flavor and prevents it from drying out or becoming too moist.
Cheese storing tip:
Plastic is the enemy! Never store your cheese in confined air and sealed plastic boxes.
Never Store Your Cheese in Plastic
You have probably seen some cheeses in plastic display but the truth is, plastic is a killer of good cheese.
Here’s why:
- Plastic suffocates your cheese
- Plastic makes your cheese tastes stale
- In terms of aroma, if stronger-smelling cheeses are around, it can permeate the flavor of those around it; especially those stored in plastic.
Cheese is alive and it needs to breathe.
Commercial plastic is filled with chemical compounds that can interact with your cheese to produce a stale ‘plastic’ flavor.
If you bought a cheese wrap in plastic, rewrap it! (see below for 4 good options)
Cryovac plastic wrap on certain cheeses seems to do less damage to the flavor, but once that cheese has been opened, it should be rewrapped no matter what!
4 Good Materials to Wrap Your Cheese
If you want your cheeses to taste fresh even after cutting and keep them from drying out, then check out these 4 excellent options:
Cheese Paper/wrapper
- CHEESE STORAGE: Don't let your cheese spoil by using deli paper sheets, sandwich paper wraps or silicone sandwich bags that are made with non porous materials. Ensure that your cheese maintains freshness and flavor for longer with a freshness extender from Formaticum that is porous and ideal for any cheese lover.
- SAVE YOUR CHEESE: There is nothing worse than seeing your brie, manchego, camembert or mozzarella dry out because you've used the wrong food storage bags. Our food saver sheets are the ideal cheese saver that are similar to a cheese cloths bags in that they let the cheese breath for prolonged freshness.
- KEEPS YOUR CHEESE FRESH: Unlike some paper bags or plastic wrap, the porous design of our cheese paper storage sheets allow your cheese to breathe while retaining ample humidity to keep moisture in, keep fresh, and prevent it from drying out.
- LET CHEESE BREATH: These waxed paper sheets measures 11” x 14” so you can store just about any type of aged cheese. There are 15 sheets in total, each with adhesive labels to work together to help maintain freshness and flavor longer while allowing labeling to be easy and clear.
- VIVE LE FROMAGE: Our wax paper wrap is professional grade and manufactured in France specifically for cheese storage. Keep your cheese fresh with a wax paper sheet that regulates humidity and ensures it is neither too moist or too dry.
Aluminum Foil
- NON-STICK ALUMINUM ROLL—This package contains one Reynolds Wrap Non-Stick aluminum foil roll measuring 95 square feet
- #1 BRAND OF ALUMINUM FOIL—Backed by over 70 years of quality & strength, home cooks of all kinds trust Reynolds foil for easy prepping, cooking & cleanup
- FOOD LIFTS RIGHT OFF—Place foods on the dull side of this baking foil for easy removal from pans, or use to cover dishes with sticky toppings to ensure a perfect presentation when foil is removed
- LOCKS IN FLAVOR—Use this versatile kitchen foil to cook packet meals, tent roasted meats, cover casseroles, protect leftovers from freezer burn & more
- COVERS, PACKAGES & STORES—Whether you’re covering pans to avoid messy splatters, wrapping food in a packet for maximum flavor & texture or simply storing leftovers, Reynolds aluminum wrap does it all
Wax Paper
- Classic Deli Design - Perfect for picnics, barbecues, lunches, and concession stands
- Grease Resistant - This paper can handle burgers, fries, and similar foods
- Great for wrapping sandwiches!
- Excellent basket liner for fries and other foods!
- Microwavable - Can be used as a disposable microwave liner
Parchment Paper
- Precut baking sheets paper: are you tired of cutting curly parchment paper? Our pre-cut parchment sheets can let you get rid of cutting parchment anymore. The sheets lay flat on the baking tray and will not curly
- Food-grade 200 pcs parchment paper: Includes 200 pcs of Unbleached, non-toxic, food grade baking sheets for baking, grilling, frying and steaming, can resist temperature up to 450°F
- Non-stick parchment sheets: cookies can easily slide off the baking tray and the bread won’t stick on it
- No curly baking paper: We provide a rectangular packaging box, you will receive the sheets without folding, and the thin packing box won’t occupy your space
- Suitable size: designed for 12x16 inches baking sheet, clean cut edges, and perfect size make for a much faster and easier cooking and baking experience in kitchen
Should I Store My Cheese in Ventilated or Static Refrigeration?
The older a cheese, the more it supports the cold. Whereas younger cheeses have to breathe more to develop.
Yogurts, fromage frais, goat’s cheeses, and small cheeses need static refrigeration to ensure preservation.
Voluminous cheeses are better stored using ventilated refrigeration.
| Static Refrigeration | Ventilated Refrigeration |
|---|---|
| Lets air circulate freely. Warm air rises and cold air sinks. Recommended for cheeses sensitive to sudden changes in humidity. | Fans non-humid cold air evenly throughout the refrigerator. |
Avoid Setting your temperatures too low or too high
- Set to very low temperatures. This will hinder the development of the cheese and kill the flavor and odor. It will have a negative impact on color, look, and consistency too.
- Set to high temperatures. Doing so will stimulate a secondary fermentation. This will deteriorate the quality of the cheese.
Another tip:
Cold, circulating air is the enemy of cheese. You should away store your cheese in the vegetable or produce drawer of your refrigerator as much as you can. This will keep your cheese in a relatively more humid environment compared to anywhere else in the fridge.
How to Store Cheese the Right Way (Infographic)
Conclusion
The best way to store your cheeses is to:
- Wrap them up using the right materials. Always remember that plastic is the enemy of cheese!
- Store them in the correct humidity and temperature. Always remember to store them in the vegetable/produce drawer for higher humidity.
Thanks for reading.
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Last update on 2023-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API