The Only Way You Should Store Cheese, According to Tillamook
I spoke to an expert from Tillamook to learn about how to store cheese—hard, semi-hard, soft, and shredded—so that it lasts longer in the fridge.
Cheese, glorious cheese. I tend to keep a few varieties on hand for quick snacks, add-ins for salads, and turning dinner into an ooey-gooey delight. I often stock up during sales, intending to save it for pizza night or a cheese board for the weekend.
It’s almost inevitable that one of my family members will help themselves to a little snack. Next thing I know, there are multiple open cheeses floating around the deli drawer. And despite best intentions, some of it ends up going bad before we’re able to finish it.
I hate food waste even more than I love cheese. In the interest of saving all of that beautiful dairy, I consulted Jill Allen, Director of Product Excellence for Tillamook, on the best ways to store cheese.
The Dos and Don’ts of Cheese Storage
When thinking about the longevity of your cheese, you want to think about optimizing the environment where it’s stored.
Clean Your Fridge: First and foremost, clean out your refrigerator! If there are other moldy foods in the fridge, they can release additional spores that negatively impact the flavor of your cheese.
Freeze With Caution: It’s tempting, but don’t just toss extra cheeses in the freezer for later. The texture will be different when it thaws. It will still be OK for cooking and baking, but it won’t work for slicing up to feature on a cheese plate.
Rewrap the Cheese: Remove blocks of cheese from their original packaging. Once the original vacuum seal is broken, there’s an increased risk of mold growth and oxidation. Rewrap the opened cheese and store it according to the type of cheese it is. (More on this below.)
How To Store Hard or Semi-Hard Cheese
Hard or semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and gouda need to be stored to make sure they don’t dry out. A double wrap works best.
Wrap hard or semi-hard cheeses tightly in wax paper or cheese paper. Place the wrapped cheese in a sealed plastic bag, or wrap it tightly with either plastic wrap or foil.
How To Store Soft Cheese
Soft cheese like brie, camembert, and goat cheese prefers an environment where the cheese can breathe and maintain humidity without absorbing refrigeration aromas or drying out. The double wrap method also works here, but the technique is slightly different.
Wrap soft cheeses in wax paper or cheese paper. Then, loosely wrap again with plastic wrap or foil.
How To Store Shredded or Crumbled Cheese
If you purchased shredded or crumbled cheese, store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other flavors from the fridge. If the cheese came in brine, like feta or fresh mozzarella, don’t throw it out! Store the cheese in the brine or olive oil marinade to keep it moist and flavorful.
