Cathedral City cheddar compared to supermarket cheeses
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Cheese boards are a festive staple, whether you prefer to enjoy yours after Christmas dinner or like to whip one up when entertaining friends. However, if you don’t get around to finishing it, the right storage methods can ensure your cheese stays fresh for longer.
Jessica Summer is the founder of luxury online cheese and wine business Mouse and Grape which specialised in paired papers and a cheese and wine subscription service, as well as events. She also runs the Instagram page @mouseandgrape. She spoke to Express.co.uk about the best way to preserve your cheese to enjoy another day.
While the length of time cheese can last largely depends on the variety of cheese, the temperature you store it at can also make a huge difference.
“The ideal storage temperature for cheese is 8C, so avoid storing it in the coldest part of the fridge to prevent the cheese from drying out,” Jessica explained.
“If you have some cheese leftover from your meal, wrap it in its original paper or any waxed paper you might have to hand and return it to the fridge
“If you don’t have wax paper, you can use clingfilm instead. Cheese loves to grow mould, so if your cheese has spent some time in the fridge, you may find some surface mould has developed.
“Simply unwrap the cheese and trim a thin layer off the surface – the cheese beneath will still taste exquisite and rewrap any uneaten leftovers.”
For pungent cheeses, Jessica recommends using a stronger seal to retain the smell in your fridge. She explained: “Cheeses that smell funky can be sealed inside a plastic tub in the original packaging, as this will help contain the smell.”
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“If you have some cheese leftover from your meal, wrap it in its original paper or any waxed paper you might have to hand and return it to the fridge
“If you don’t have wax paper, you can use clingfilm instead. Cheese loves to grow mould, so if your cheese has spent some time in the fridge, you may find some surface mould has developed.
“Simply unwrap the cheese and trim a thin layer off the surface – the cheese beneath will still taste exquisite and rewrap any uneaten leftovers.”
For pungent cheeses, Jessica recommends using a stronger seal to retain the smell in your fridge. She explained: “Cheeses that smell funky can be sealed inside a plastic tub in the original packaging, as this will help contain the smell.”
Most cheese boards feature a variety of different cheeses and some of these will preserve better than others.
“While I recommend eating your cheese as close to the purchase date as possible, cheese can last for up to two weeks,” she said.
“Generally, whole or larger pieces of cheese will last longer than smaller cuts. If wrapped correctly, some soft and blue cheese can be eaten up to 10 days after purchase and hard cheese up to 14 days.”
It’s best to keep cheese, of all varieties, in a dark, cool and airy space. Experts from The Cheese Lover recommend popping it into your vegetable compartment “as it is not too humid or cold”.
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A post shared by Jessica Summer | Cheese & Wine Pairing Expert (@mouseandgrape)
They added: “Cheese should be allowed to breathe, however, this needs a little balance to avoid the cheese from drying out, or becoming too humid and sweaty.” Next time you pull it out of the fridge it’s a good idea to do this a few hours ahead of the time you plan to serve your cheese board.
“Cheese is enjoyed best at room temperature, and it should be removed from the fridge for at least an hour before serving unless you are in an exceptionally warm and humid environment,” said the Cheese Lover experts.
“Smaller portions of cheese can dry up faster than large pieces, so if you are planning to serve pre-cut pieces, such as on a cheeseboard, it’s best to portion the cheese just before to serving.”
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