Everyone is fond of cheese particularly children. Today it is extensively used in a plethora of dishes but cheese being sensitive in nature need high maintenance. Right from production, storage to consumption, it needs 100% attention of cheese makers, cheese mongers as well as cheese enthusiasts.
Amazing cheese storage tips
Cheese storage is amongst the most confounding subjects. For all cheese lovers who purchase cheese in huge amounts will definitely not wish to ruin it due to lack of skills right? With the help of the following amazing tips one can now store cheese the right way.
• Semi-soft, semi-hard and hard type of cheese should be stored between 46-55 degree Fahrenheit
• Different cheeses have different shelf life. The softer the texture, the shorter is its shelf life. Parmesan block for example possess a very hard property and if stored properly is likely to last for years whereas Ricotta cheese on the other hand is comparatively soft and thus possess shorter shelf life.
• Grated Parmesan cheese must be stored in room temperature because refrigeration will result in condensation to develop which will make it stick together.
• If whole cheese is not used at once then it is advisable to cut off only the required amount that one can consume and keep the remaining in the refrigerator. By moving the cheese from the refrigerator back and forth will work wonders in hastening moisture loss as well as spoilage.
• Cheese must never be frozen as this is likely to alter both the texture and flavor. It is also likely to turn crumbly with freezing. Grated cheese however keeps perfect in the freezer which can be directly used for cooking from the freezer.
• Prevent storing cheese with any strong smelling food as cheese has a tendency of absorbing other aromas thereby resulting in spoilage.
• Wrap cheese in foil, grease-proof paper or waxed paper for maintaining the air circulation. Cheese comprises of living organisms which should not be kept away from air, but it is imperative not to let it dry out.
• Store fresh cheeses mainly Ricotta, Cream and Cottage in their original packed containers in the refrigerator. For best results store it inside the coldest part.
• Wrap blue cheese completely as mould spores readily spread to other cheeses as well as everything near.
• For better and longer storage of semi-firm and firm cheese, one can wrap it inside a paper towel which is dampened with a little cider vinegar. Store them in a fully sealed plastic bag as this will aid in inhibiting the development of molds.
Cheese has its own place which can be used in assorted ways to serve the taste-buds. Preserving cheese in the right way helps one to enjoy it to the fullest.
