Sofia Martinez
Plastic wrap is a common method of storing cheese, but it is not the best option. Cheese is a living organism composed of many microbes, and wrapping it in plastic kills the good microorganisms and affects the flavor. To store cheese without plastic, you can use alternatives such as beeswax wraps, cheese paper, glass or metal containers, or even coat the cheese with olive oil and store it in an airtight container. These methods allow the cheese to breathe while maintaining freshness and protecting it from mold, excess moisture, and off-flavors. Buying larger pieces of cheese and purchasing from local cheese shops can also help reduce plastic waste.
How to store cheese without plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Hard, soft, semi-soft, fresh |
| Storage method | Airtight containers, wraps, bags, wax, oil |
| Storage location | Refrigerator, freezer |
| Storage duration | Up to a month, or weeks to months for hard cheeses |
| Mold | Can be scraped off, indicates controlled decay of milk |
| Ammonia | Can be absorbed by cheese, overwhelming beeswax wraps |
| Cheese paper | Traditional method, can be replaced by beeswax food wrap |
| Plastic alternatives | Glass, metal, paper |
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What You'll Learn
Use airtight containers, like glass or stainless steel
When storing cheese, it is important to remember that cheese is a living organism with many active microorganisms. Wrapping cheese in plastic kills these microorganisms and negatively impacts the flavour of the cheese. Therefore, it is best to store cheese in a container that allows for some airflow.
A great way to store cheese without using plastic is to use airtight containers made of glass or stainless steel. You can purchase these containers or bring your own to the cheese counter and ask the cheesemonger to place the cheese directly into your container. Before using the container, ensure it is clean and dry to avoid contaminating the cheese or introducing moisture that can cause mold growth.
Airtight containers are particularly useful for storing cheese in the refrigerator, which is the recommended storage method for most cheeses. Hard cheeses can also be stored in the freezer to prolong their life and maintain freshness.
In addition to using airtight containers, there are other methods to ensure your cheese stays fresh without using plastic. For example, you can rub the cut face of the cheese with olive, canola, or other vegetable oils, and then store it in the refrigerator with paper towels or a washable tea towel. If mold starts to form, simply wipe it off, rinse the cheese in tepid water, dry it, rub it with fresh oil, and store it again.
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Wrap cheese in a washable cloth or tea towel
Wrapping cheese in a washable cloth or tea towel is a great way to store cheese without using plastic. This method allows the cheese to breathe, which is essential as cheese is a living organism with many active microorganisms that you want to keep alive. It is also a more sustainable option than using plastic wrap or bags.
When using a cloth or tea towel, it is important to ensure that the cheese is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help to regulate moisture and prevent the cheese from drying out or becoming contaminated. It is also a good idea to include paper towels in the container with the cheese to absorb any excess moisture.
While storing cheese in a cloth or tea towel, it is important to regularly check on the cheese and ensure that it has not started to mould. If mould does start to form, it can simply be scraped off with a knife, and the cheese can continue to be consumed. However, if the mould is excessive or the cheese develops an ammonia odour, it should be discarded.
To further extend the shelf life of cheese, it can be frozen, especially in the case of hard cheeses. Freezing cheese in small batches can help control cheese intake and maintain freshness. Additionally, rubbing the cut face of the cheese with olive, canola, or vegetable oil before wrapping it in a cloth or tea towel can also help to preserve it.
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Use beeswax wraps or pellets to prevent drying out
Beeswax wraps are a great way to store cheese without using plastic. They are reusable, allow cheese to breathe, and prevent the cheese from drying out. They are ideal for semi-soft cheeses like goat and feta cheese, as well as soft cheeses in a rind, such as Brie. To wrap semi-soft cheese, try folding all edges towards the top, like a sandwich, and then flipping it over to hold the folds in place. Soft cheese in a rind can be stored using a tri-fold method, with the cheese piled in the middle, and then folding the two ends down and pressing on the ends to create a bag.
Beeswax wraps are also perfect for grated and crumbled cheese. Simply grate or crumble the cheese directly onto the wrap, and use it to transport, measure, weigh, or sprinkle.
If you're looking for an even thicker and more durable wrap, you can create your own by melting beeswax pellets onto a medium-sized wrap. This will make a great surface for slicing and grating cheese, while also preventing cheese from drying out when stored for longer periods.
It's important to note that cheese should not be stored in wraps for too long. Check on your cheese every few days, and if it starts to smell like ammonia, it's time to discard it.
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Store cheese in the fridge, not the freezer
Cheese is best stored in the refrigerator, not the freezer. The ideal temperature for storing cheese is between 34°F and 39°F, which is usually colder than the average refrigerator but warmer than a freezer. Freezing cheese can affect its texture and taste, so it is best avoided unless you are storing hard cheeses for an extended period.
When storing cheese in the fridge, it is important to allow some airflow to prevent the cheese from suffocating and to keep the microorganisms alive. Wrapping cheese in plastic can kill these good microorganisms and affect the flavour of the cheese. Instead, cheese can be wrapped in wax paper, beeswax wraps, or stored in an airtight container with paper towels.
If you are storing cheese in an airtight container, it is important to keep the container clean and dry to avoid introducing moisture that can cause mold growth. You can also store cheese in a glass or metal container, or wrap it in a washable tea towel.
Some cheeses, like blue cheese, have a higher tolerance for mold, but it is generally safe to scrape off any mold that forms and consume the rest of the cheese. If your cheese is stored in an airtight container, it is important to check on it regularly, as the ammonia odour can build up and affect the flavour of the cheese.
Overall, storing cheese in the refrigerator, rather than the freezer, and avoiding plastic wrap will help to preserve the flavour and texture of the cheese.
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Rub the cut face of the cheese with oil
Rubbing the cut face of the cheese with oil is a great way to store cheese without using plastic. This method is particularly useful for those who want to reduce their plastic waste. It is also a good way to keep cheese fresh for longer.
To do this, simply rub the cut face of the cheese with olive, canola, or another vegetable oil. Then, store the cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is suggested to keep paper towels in the container with the cheese, but you can also wrap it in a washable tea towel. If you see mold starting to form, wipe it off with a paper towel or rinse the cheese in tepid water. Then, dry the cheese, rub with fresh oil, and store it again.
This method works because cheese is a living organism, composed of many microbes. Wrapping it in plastic kills the good microorganisms that you want to keep alive. By rubbing the cheese with oil, you are creating a barrier that prevents mold from growing, while still allowing airflow.
It is important to note that cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, and the length of time it can be stored depends on the style and packaging of the cheese. For most cheeses, it is recommended to finish it within two to four weeks. However, dry, long-aged, hard cheeses like Parmesan can last for weeks or months unopened in the refrigerator.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container. You can use glass or stainless steel containers. If you're using a glass container, make sure it's clean and dry to avoid mould growth. You can also use beeswax wraps, which are a great alternative to plastic as they allow cheese to breathe.
You can rub the cut face of the cheese with olive, canola, or vegetable oil and store it in an airtight container. If mould starts to form, wipe it off with a cloth and rinse the cheese in tepid water.
Soft cheeses in a rind, like Brie, store well in wraps. You can fold all edges towards the top (like a sandwich), flip it over, and allow the weight of the cheese to hold the folds in place.
