Cheese should last a long time when stored properly but it can be annoying having to throw it away if has become crusty, brick-hard or even mouldy.
The reason cheese goes bad is that it will dry out if left uncovered as it needs moisture to stay fresh, but leaving it without its wrapping can cause unwanted bacteria to contaminate it.
However, wrapping cheese tightly in clingfilm is unlikely to preserve it as too much moisture trapped inside the cheese can cause mould.
Greg Brady, an expert from The Cheese Lover has shared that keeping cheese fresh may sound complicated but “the best way” to store cheese is simple as all you need is a sugar cube.
He said: “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.”
Greg added: “A useful way to ensure a long lifespan for your cheese is to pop a small sugar cube inside your container. The cube will absorb excess moisture, and prevent the cheese from sweating.”
It may sound odd, but mould can only grow in an area with lots of moisture, so sugar cubes can help maintain a balanced environment for the cheese so it stays fresh but will not dry out or become mouldy.
However, it is also important to completely cover cheese and is usually best stored in its original supermarket packaging as it has been designed to be airy enough to keep cheese fresh.
Greg said: “If your cheese comes wrapped in waxed paper, keep the wrapping as it is designed to help your cheese breathe. If waxed paper is not available, you can use kitchen foil for blue cheeses especially, as this will help them retain moisture. “
He added: “Once you’ve broken into a new cheese, keep it contained in a sealed [container]. This will prevent the smell from filling the rest of your fridge, and also keep the cheese free of any other strong-smelling items in there.”
Cheese also needs to be stored in the correct place in the fridge and you should always avoid placing it in the fridge door.
The temperature around the fridge door is often warmer and less humid than the rest of the fridge which can cause cheese to harden.
Cheese needs to be stored somewhere with a consistent temperature to stay fresh and the fridge door constantly being opened will cause a temperature change that can encourage mould growth.
Greg said: “It’s best to keep cheese, of all varieties, in a dark, cool and airy space – the vegetable compartment of an average fridge is ideal, as it is not too humid or cold.”
Keeping cheese wrapped up with a sugar cube and then placed in the lower compartment of the fridge will help keep it fresh for much longer so you do not have to worry about it being wasted.
