Storage & Handling: Cheese
Fresh Cheese
|
How to Store |
- refrigerate
immediately
- store on the
refrigerator shelves; the door shelves
are not cold enough
- store in
original container until serving
- keep sealed to
protect from strong odors
- return
leftovers to the refrigerator promptly
after use
- if served in
another container do not place unused
portion back in the original container
- use fresh
cheese within 1 week
- fresh cheese
that is moldy should be thrown away
|
|
Refrigerator (2-4°C) |
- check the best
before date for freshness
|
|
Freezer (-18°C or below) |
- freezing most
fresh cheese is not advised as flavor
and texture may change
- cream cheese
freezes well; if crumbly and slightly
separated, whip before using
- when used as an
ingredient, the dish may be frozen
without affecting the flavor or quality
of the product
|
Aged Cheese
|
How to Store |
- leave cheese in
its original wrap after opening, then
cover tightly with foil or plastic and
store in refrigerator
- store cheese
away from foods with strong odors
- soft cheese
that is moldy should be thrown away
- Cut 2.5 cm (1")
off of all sides of moldy hard cheese
before using; do not scrape off the mold
as it may have grown into the cheese
|
|
Refrigerator (2-4°C) |
- soft cheeses,
such as Brie and Camembert, keep well in
the refrigerator for about 1 week
- firm cheese,
such as Cheddar and Edam, keeps for
several months if wrapped and stored in
plastic to prevent drying
|
|
Freezer (-18°C or below) |
- freezing aged
cheese has the advantage of preventing
mold and helping some of the more
perishable cheeses retain their flavor
for longer periods
- aged cheese
freezes well; the flavor will be the
same although the texture may change
slightly (best used for cooking)
- freeze in small
pieces, as larger pieces tend to crumble
when thawed
- for freezing,
wrap cheese airtight in plastic first
then foil or freezer bags; label and
date
- thaw frozen
cheese in the refrigerator, allowing 7-8
hours per 500 g (1 lb)
- recommended
maximum storage time in the freezer is 3
months
|
Processed Cheese
|
How to Store |
- refrigerate
immediately
- allow cheese to
sit at room temperature for 30 minutes
before serving to increase spread-ability
and flavor quality
|
|
Refrigerator (2-4°C) |
- check best
before date for freshness
- processed
cheese spreads can be kept for
approximately 4 weeks if the jar is
tightly covered
|
|
Freezer (-18°C or below) |
- freezing is not
recommended
|
Source:
Alberta Milk, 1988
To find out more about cheese
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