How To: Store Cheese

Categories: How To

cheesy 011.JPG
The best way for a cheese monger to wrap cheese is with clear plastic. You can see exactly what the cheese looks like, and make sure there's no mold.

So what's the worst way to wrap cheese? Clear plastic wrap. It traps evaporating moisture that condenses into tiny pockets of water, providing the perfect environment for mold to thrive, and it's not the French kind of mold.

I've learned that if I come home from market and put plastic-wrapped cheese in the refrigerator, I might as well save a step and toss it straight into the garbage.

Instead, the first thing I do is rip off the plastic, check for any mold, and immediately wrap the cheese in wax paper, which repels the evaporating water from the cheese.

To keep the wax paper from unfolding in the fridge and letting the cheese dry out, I wrap the package in aluminum foil, and write the abbreviated cheese name on the outside with a Sharpie, as in "Ched." Properly wrapped, a soft cheese can last up to three weeks in cold storage, and if it starts to get funky, I shred the outside layer, and replace the old wax paper with new.

Harder cheeses, like Parmigiano-Reggiano, can last two or three months if wrapped properly. If you shred Parmigiano, it will easily last two weeks in a glass container. Of course, American Parmesan, which we mockingly pronounce Par-MEE-zhun, will last considerably longer in that green shaker.



Follow Eating Our Words on Facebook and on Twitter @EatingOurWords

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Dining Newsletter: The week's top local food news and events, plus interviews with chefs and restaurant owners, dining tips, and a peek at our print review.

Privacy Policy
Sign up for free stuff, news info & more!

Tools

Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places

    Voice Places

    Discover restaurants, nightlife, travel, shopping...

  • VOICE Daily Deals

    VOICE Daily Deals

    Get 50 to 90% off every day on restaurants, movies, massages...

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    More than 10,000 of the BEST things to eat, drink, and experience

  • My Voice Nation

    My Voice Nation

    Join the Village Voice community and get exclusive deals and info

  • Happy Hour

    Happy Hour

    Your local Happy Hour guide at your fingertips

or

Log in or Sign up

Social Connect:

Use your favorite account to access My Voice Nation.


Use your My Voice Nation account to log in:





Forgot password?
or

Sign Up or Log in

Social Connect:

Sign up for My Voice Nation with your preferred network.


Sign up for a My Voice Nation account:



Privacy policy