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What Is the Best Way to Store Cheese? A Guide to Keeping It Fresh and Flavorful
Whether you’re a casual cheese lover or a serious connoisseur, nothing’s worse than pulling a beautiful wedge of cheese from the fridge only to find it hard, moldy, or dried out. The truth is, how you store cheese matters—a lot. Cheese is alive. It breathes, ages, and changes, so storing it correctly means you’ll get the best taste and texture every time.
Here’s everything you need to know about the best way to store cheese—from soft brie to hard parmesan—to help keep it fresh, flavorful, and ready to impress.
🧀 General Cheese Storage Tips
✅ Let It Breathe — But Not Too Much
Cheese needs to breathe, but it also needs protection from drying out. Airtight containers can suffocate it and lead to spoilage. On the other hand, too much exposure to air can cause it to harden or grow unwanted mold.
The sweet spot? Wrap cheese in breathable materials like wax paper, parchment paper, or specialty cheese paper, and then place it inside a loose plastic bag or container to protect it from fridge odors.
📦 The Best Storage Methods by Cheese Type
1. Soft Cheeses (Brie, Camembert, Goat Cheese)
- Wrap in: Wax paper or parchment, then loosely wrap with plastic or place in a lidded container.
- Storage time: 1–2 weeks.
- Tip: Let them breathe, but eat them sooner rather than later—they’re more perishable.
2. Semi-Soft to Semi-Hard Cheeses (Gouda, Havarti, Cheddar)
- Wrap in: Cheese paper, wax paper, or parchment. Avoid plastic wrap directly on the cheese.
- Storage time: 2–3 weeks.
- Tip: Re-wrap in fresh paper after each use to prevent moisture buildup and mold.
3. Hard Cheeses (Parmesan, Pecorino, Aged Cheddar)
- Wrap in: Parchment or wax paper, then aluminum foil or a loose plastic wrap.
- Storage time: 1–2 months.
- Tip: If surface mold forms, just cut off 1/4 inch around the moldy area—hard cheeses are dense enough to resist deep contamination.
4. Fresh Cheeses (Mozzarella, Ricotta, Feta)
- Store in: Their original brine or whey if available, or a container with clean, lightly salted water.
- Storage time: 5–7 days.
- Tip: Change the water or brine every few days for longer freshness.
❄️ Best Place in the Fridge?
Store cheese in the vegetable crisper or cheese drawer—the coldest, most humidity-controlled part of your refrigerator. Avoid storing cheese in the fridge door, where temperatures fluctuate more.
🙅♀️ What to Avoid
- Plastic wrap touching cheese directly: It traps moisture and can make cheese slimy or moldy.
- Freezing cheese (in most cases): Freezing changes the texture. Only freeze cheese you plan to cook with (like shredded mozzarella or grated cheddar).
- Overhandling: The oils from your fingers can encourage bacteria. Use clean utensils or wrap wax paper around your fingers when handling.
