How Do You Store Cheese Safely After Making It?

“Hey there! So, I recently made my first batch of cheese and I’m thrilled, but now I’m struggling with how to store it properly. The cheese I’ve made includes a mix of soft and hard varieties. What are the best practices for storing them to make sure they stay delicious and safe to eat? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!” Warm regards, Susan, Melbourne, Australia.

How Do You Store Cheese Safely After Making It?

Hi Susan! Congratulations on making your first batch of cheese! It’s such a rewarding experience, right? Once you’ve put in all that hard work, the next step is ensuring your cheese stays tasty and safe to eat. Let’s talk about the best ways to store both soft and hard cheeses.

Storing Soft Cheeses

Soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and fresh goat cheese need a bit more TLC due to their higher moisture content. Here’s how to keep them happy:

• Temperature: Keep soft cheeses at a consistent temperature, ideally between 45-50°F (7-10°C). The warmer end of your refrigerator is perfect.
• Wrapping: Use wax paper or parchment paper first, then wrap in plastic wrap. This lets the cheese breathe while preventing it from drying out.
• Airtight Storage: For fresher cheeses like ricotta or cream cheese, store them in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing any fridge odors.

Example: Let’s say you’ve made a lovely batch of Camembert. Wrap it gently in wax paper, then loosely cover it with plastic wrap before placing it in the fridge. This method will keep it creamy and delicious!

Storing Hard Cheeses

Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda are a bit easier to store thanks to their lower moisture content. Here’s the lowdown:

• Temperature: Ideally, store hard cheeses at a temperature between 35-45°F (2-7°C). The crisper drawer in your fridge usually works well.
• Wrapping: Wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper followed by a layer of aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps in preventing the cheese from drying out while also protecting the flavor.
• Block Storage: If stored in large blocks, hard cheeses age well and develop deeper flavors over time. Only cut what you need and rewrap the remaining piece appropriately.

Example: For a homemade Cheddar, wrap it in parchment paper to let it breathe, then fortify it with aluminum foil to maintain its texture and taste. Place it in your fridge’s crisper drawer and it will be ready to enjoy whenever you are!

Mold: Friend or Foe?

Now, mold is a curious thing with cheese. While it can be a benediction for certain types like blue cheese, it’s an unwelcome guest for others. Here’s what to do:

For Hard Cheeses: If you spot some surface mold on your Gouda or Parmesan, don’t panic! Simply cut out at least an inch around and beneath the moldy area. The rest of the cheese is generally safe to eat.

For Soft Cheeses: Unfortunately, mold growth in soft cheeses means it’s time to say goodbye, as it likely affects the entire cheese.

Humidity Matters

Cheese loves a bit of humidity, but too much can leave it soggy, and too little will dry it out.

1. Refrigerator’s Crisper Drawer: Many fridges have crisper drawers where you can control humidity levels. Utilize this for optimum storage.
2. Cheese Paper: Specialized cheese paper is fantastic for maintaining the right humidity and airflow. It’s essentially waxed paper with micro-perforations.
3. Vegetable Compartment: Another option is using the vegetable compartment of your fridge, which generally has a higher humidity level compared to other sections.

Let’s assume you made a beautiful wheel of Brie. Using cheese paper or storing it in the vegetable compartment can help it maintain just the right amount of humidity to stay creamy and delicious.

Freezing Cheese: Is It a Good Idea?

Freezing cheese is a debate among enthusiasts. Most will tell you it’s not ideal due to texture changes, but if you’ve made a surplus and need to freeze it, here’s how:

Hard Cheeses: These can be frozen with minimal impact on texture. Cut the cheese into smaller portions, wrap them in plastic wrap, and place them in an airtight container or a freezer bag.

Soft Cheeses: Freezing changes the creamy texture of soft cheeses, so it’s best avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Aging Your Cheese

If you’re interested in aging your cheese at home, you need to think about a cheese cave—a mini-fridge or wine cooler can do the trick.

• Temperature: Maintain a steady range of 45-55°F (7-13°C).
• Humidity: Ideal aging requires about 80-90% humidity. You can place a small bowl of water inside the fridge or use a humidifier.
• Turning: Turn your cheese every few days to ensure even aging. This prevents unwanted mold and ripens your cheese uniformly.

Labeling and Monitoring

Keeping track of your cheese stash is important to ensure you’re consuming it at its peak.

1. Labels: Always label your cheese with the date of making and the type. This helps in monitoring the aging process.
2. Check Regularly: Keep an eye on your cheese, especially if it’s in a high-humidity environment. This helps prevent any unwelcome surprises.

For example, label your homemade Gouda with the date you made it and regularly check for any imperfections or mold.

Separate Storage

It’s tempting to store all cheeses together, but different cheeses have different needs. Here’s why separating them is a good idea:

• Cross-Contamination: Prevent cross-contamination of mold and bacteria from one cheese to another.
• Flavor Preservation: Different cheeses can transfer flavors if stored too closely.

So, keep your soft Brie away from your aged Cheddar to maintain the integrity of each.

Safe Practices

To wrap it up, let’s go over some safe practices for storing your homemade cheese:

• Clean Hands and Tools: Always handle cheese with clean hands and tools to prevent contamination.
• Proper Wrapping: Wrap cheeses properly in wax paper, parchment, or specialty cheese paper followed by a secondary layer (plastic wrap or aluminum foil).
• Storage Containers: Use airtight containers for fresh cheeses to prevent moisture loss and protect against fridge odors.

Final Thoughts…

Susan, thank you for sending in your question! Storing cheese properly after all the effort you’ve put into making it is key to maintaining its flavor and safety. Remember the tips about temperature, wrapping, and humidity management, and you’ll be enjoying your cheese for days to come. Happy cheesemaking!