Storing Cheese- tips from the Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese

To keep cheese fresh once you get it home, your goal is to create its natural environment as closely as possible—one that is cool yet allows for some air circulation. For most cheese, the best wrap is waxed paper or parchment, which lets the cheese breathe but still retain moisture. You can also place the wrapped cheese in a loose-fitting plastic food bag to help maintain the humidity and maintain the air circulation. If the cheese was vacuum-packed, it’s best to repack in waxed paper or parchment to ensure continued freshness.

However, if your cheese is a hard grating type, such as Parmesan or Asiago, which are already dry to begin with, you want to minimize any additional moisture loss. Wrapping it in plastic is appropriate, but change the wrap frequently since such a tight wrap can also trap unwanted bacteria.

Temperature is also an important consideration in cheese storage. Ideally, it should be placed in the warmest part of your refrigerator, towards the top or in one of the vegetable bins. If possible, keep the cheese away from the fridge door, as too many temperature changes can affect its quality.