Cheeses are aged for weeks or even months, so you shouldn’t worry about keeping them in the fridge for too long, right? Wrong. Cheese will age only under the right conditions, and only its outside is exposed to air. When sliced and kept in your fridge, it immediately starts being susceptible to accelerated growth of microorganisms, which in turn cause spoilage.
However, with proper storage, you can delay that spoilage and give you enough time to consume it.
How to Store Cheese
It goes without saying, but the only acceptable way to store cheese is to place it in the refrigerator. If left at room temperature, it can only last for a couple of hours.
Before storing the cheese in the fridge, you will need to protect it. You should avoid covering it in plastic wrap because it will spoil faster this way. The best method is to wrap it in specialty cheese paper or use parchment paper. If left uncovered, the cheese will dry out and also smell up your fridge. The best position for wrapped cheese is at the bottom of the fridge.
Once you’ve stored the cheese properly, the spoilage delay will depend on the type. Even if everything is done right, soft cheeses like brie can remain good for a week. Hard cheeses can be eaten for another month, while particularly hard cheeses like parmesan will be okay for up to two months.
Luckily, it is easy to notice when the cheese has gone bad. Pronounced rancid odor, development of mold, and change in texture are unmistakable signs of cheese spoilage.
