Shelf life of various types of cheese according to GOST. How to keep cheese in the refrigerator longer? How long does cheese last in the refrigerator?

Cheese - hard, processed, homemade, with mold and without... This delicious and useful product often appears in your diet? How to store cheese in the refrigerator for a long time so that it remains fresh? I have proven instructions that I will share with you.

Basic principles of cheese storage

Thanks to beneficial bacteria and microorganisms, cheese is considered “living”, so it needs special conditions storage So that it does not lose its aroma and taste, does not dry out or become moldy, and remains suitable for consumption, it must be stored correctly.

Onwhat you should pay attention to when storing:

Temperature. Incorrect temperature or a sharp change in temperature have the most negative effect on this delicate product:

low temperature kills beneficial bacteria and leads to a change in structure;
high- on the contrary, it promotes the rapid growth of harmful microorganisms and turns cheese into a source of health hazard.

Optimaltemperature for storing cheese without harming its quality +3… +8 °C.

Humidity. Air humidity also matters:

at low humidity the product weathers and dries;
at high- spoils.

Ideal indicator - 90%.

Condition 1. Varieties of cheese

Each type of cheese requires a special attitude:

Image	Storage recommendations
	Solidcheese It is stored longer than others - up to 10 days. In order not to miss the moment of its deterioration, you need to periodically check whether mold appears on it. If it appears, it must be removed - cut off.
	Cheesessoft varieties They deteriorate much faster than others, so you need to be especially careful when storing them. So, with a thermometer reading of -2 °C, they are perfectly stored for a month, and at +3... +10 °C - only 7 days. Melted - should not be consumed later than two days after opening the package - it is unsafe.
	Blue cheeses They are best stored at above-zero temperatures and in tight, airtight packaging. This allows you to protect other products from the spread of odor and mold.
	Brine cheeses They are best stored in salted water or whey brine. Don't know how to remove salt from cheese before serving? A few hours before eating, simply cut the cheese and soak it in water or milk. You should not wash pickled cheeses in hot water: will begin to melt and lose its beneficial properties.
	Homemade cheese , made with your own hands requires special attention. It should be stored for no more than 3-4 days, and only in a glass or enamel container. Soft homemade cheese can be divided into portions and frozen. It will keep quietly in the freezer for several months.
	Exquisiteand expensive parmesan also requires special treatment. It can be stored for quite a long time in store packaging (portions of 25 or 50 grams) or in a vacuum bag. For 14 days you can store small leftovers of this product, and even grated Parmesan - just wrap it in parchment paper and put it on the top shelf.

Condition 2. Rules for storing cheese in the refrigerator

Fridge - best place for storage. However, here too the conditions and shelf life of the product must be strictly observed. How to keep cheese fresh longer in the refrigerator?

Where to store? Bottom shelf or tray for vegetables and fruits - ideal option. It is there that the temperature and humidity are the most optimal.

What should I store it in? Modern refrigerators are equipped with air circulation systems, and the humidity in them may be below the required level. Therefore, it is better to keep dairy products in glass, plastic or ceramic containers.

You can also use cling film or a plastic bag. This will help maintain the freshness of the product and protect it from foreign odors.

About one hour before serving, remove the cheese from the refrigerator to restore its natural smell and taste. It is advisable to cut the product immediately before serving.

You can't keep cheese in paper- this way it will dry even faster. It is better to use double packaging: food parchment and a plastic bag or any container.

If, in addition to the bag, you do not have a suitable container, put a few pasta or a piece of refined sugar there - they will protect the cheese from excess moisture.

Does size matter? Yes, large wheels of cheese in vacuum packaging stay fresh longer, but not everyone can afford the price.
If you want to take cheese on the road or outdoors, but portable refrigeration chamber No. Take a regular linen napkin, soak it in water and wrap the cheese in it. It is better to keep such pieces of cheese out of the sun.

Condition 3. How to store cheese in the freezer

MIs it possible to store cheese in the freezer?? A professional cook will definitely say “No”. Most cheeses do not tolerate sub-zero temperatures:

lose taste;
consistency;
useful qualities.

However, this does not make them inedible. Of course, making a sandwich with a defrosted product is no longer worth it, but putting it in salads, pies, pizza and other dishes is an excellent solution.

Exception to the Rule- parmesan. It's already passed heat treatment and is not afraid of the cold. At -15... -20 °C the shelf life of cheese can be extended to 3 months. Standard rules: Cut into portions and wrap in individual bags.

Resume

Keeping cheese in the fridge doesn't have to be a problem. If you follow the rules, you will protect delicious product from ending up in the trash bin. But in order not to think for a long time about how and how long cheese is stored in the refrigerator, do not buy it for future use. Better buy a small piece, and when you run out, buy more.

The video in this article contains visual instructions on how to properly store cheese. If you have questions, I’m waiting for them in the comments.

Assortment of dishes modern restaurants and the cafe is replete with all kinds of dishes from fish, meat, vegetables and other ingredients. Housewives master their favorite recipes at home, which incredibly surprises and delights their household members. For the preparation of many dishes, curious products are used that cannot be found in daily menu. One such product is Parmesan cheese. This main component delicious salad"Caesar" and pasta in Italian. But Parmesan is quite expensive, so even small pieces, remaining unused, I want to save for next dish. This is where the question arises: where and how to properly store noble cheese so that it does not spoil?

IN restaurant conditions the product is wrapped in cloth, which is pre-moistened in ordinary water and squeeze until slightly damp. The cheese makers themselves recommend doing this. But what to do if you need to preserve cheese at home?

Vacuum and parchment to the rescue!

Today, Parmesan is released onto the shelves in the form of pieces - from small to huge. The buyer can choose as many products as he needs. But force majeure also happens. So, for example, the chosen piece turned out to be too large, or there was no suitable piece on sale and I had to take a larger one. In these cases, the remaining cheese should be put in the refrigerator, but certain requirements for its storage must be observed.

An excellent packaging for the product would be vacuum bag. These are available for free sale. And in grocery stores, Parmesan is already packaged in vacuum bags: it should be stored in them at home.

Sliced or grated cheese It's best to wrap it in parchment paper and then put it in the refrigerator. The paper can be rolled into a bag and placed on the top shelf - this way the product will keep its freshness for two weeks. Another option: put the grated straw in a special bowl, which is called a parmesan. The cheese will not lose its qualities in it.

Little secrets for storing Parmesan

As soon as the parmesan is purchased and brought home from the supermarket, it must be removed from its usual packaging and placed in parchment paper, and then wrapped in foil. Thanks to these simple steps, you can prevent the breakdown of cheese enzymes.

You should not keep Parmesan in the refrigerator for more than six months after opening the package. In order not to miss the deadline, it is advisable to attach a sticker to the paper with the start date of storage.

If Parmesan is stored in grated form, then it should be eaten within a week.

Parmesan in the freezer

Parmesan cheese can be kept not only in the refrigerator, but also in the freezer. Since it has already been processed, the product can be frozen and thawed without any harm to it. The taste will not deteriorate at all. But it is important to remember that at low temperatures (20-15 degrees below zero) Parmesan cannot be stored for longer than 90 days.

If you bought a lot of product and a significant portion remains, you need to cut it into several more pieces, after which each slice is placed in a separate liquid-proof bag and put on the freezer shelf. Parmesan cheese is stored in a similar way not only in our country, but also in hot Italy, where it originated.

Cheese is a favorite product for many

Indeed, there are plenty of parmesan and mozzarella lovers in our country. Currently, it is simply amazing in its diversity, and each person has the opportunity to choose a “cow” product that is suitable in terms of quality and price. It is an integral ingredient in pizza, some types of cold and hot soups, and salads. Of course, it is very important that it is fresh in the prepared dishes, so the question of how to keep cheese in the refrigerator longer is of interest to many. It is also worth noting that the above product is rich in proteins, vitamins and amino acids, which makes it extremely valuable for health.

If you do not comply with the conditions proper storage"cow" product, it will dry quickly, it appearance and the taste will be spoiled. However, the question can be solved, not just one, but several. Let's look at it in more detail.

Packaging must be correct

Those who want to know how to preserve cheese in the refrigerator for longer should remember that in order to preserve the “natural” taste, each piece of the product must have individual packaging. However, you should not use plastic bags in which the cheese simply “stops breathing.” Naturally, this leads to a deterioration in the taste of the product. In addition, there is a risk of bacteria, which is also not a favorable factor.

When considering the question of how to store cheese in the refrigerator, it should be emphasized that they do not spoil for as long as possible. durum varieties product. having a pronounced aroma, it is recommended to wrap it in cling film before placing it in the refrigerator. who doesn't have that specific smell, it is best to put it in an enamel or glass container. You cannot wrap the “cow product” in paper, as it will quickly begin to stale and deteriorate. As an alternative, we can recommend parchment.

Store only in a cool place

If your home does not have a basement or cellar, then the only option to preserve the quality of the above food product is the refrigerator.

Moreover, it is very important to maintain the correct temperature (6 to 8 degrees Celsius) and humidity (90%). This is certainly one of the main secrets of how to store cheese in the refrigerator.

Avoid temperature changes

The “cow” product does not like temperature changes. All this risks the fact that it will begin to crumble, deteriorate and change its natural taste. To minimize these risks, always place cheese on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

Storage must be separate

It should be noted that Parmesan or mozzarella absorb the odors of their environment, therefore, as already emphasized above, it is not recommended to store cheeses different types in one package. In addition, each of them has its own unique aroma, and it would be a mistake to keep them in the same dish or container.

You should also remember to wrap them in cling film after eating, since cheeses not only absorb the aroma, but also distribute it.

Don't cut off the crust

Storing cheese in the refrigerator will be correct if you do not remove the rind from the product. It allows you to preserve the aroma of the cheese. It is very important to remember something else important secret- There is no need to pre-cut the cheese, as this will cause it to dry out. It is necessary to cut off exactly the amount of product that you intend to eat.

Don't stock up

We should not forget the rule that no cheese can be stored for too long, especially if we are talking about a product that was made on the basis raw milk. When going to a grocery store, you should not buy kilograms of cheese - it would be advisable to purchase not large number Roquefort or Eden. In this way, you will not allow the product to “stay” in your home. Agree, it’s better to visit the supermarket one more time in order to enjoy it later aromatic taste fresh cheese.

Features of storing homemade cheese

Cheese made with your own hands should not be stored in the refrigerator for too long: it is best to eat it within 3-4 days.

We remind you once again: do not try to put it in a plastic bag - store it in a glass or enamel container.

Features of storing pickled cheeses

Types of cheeses such as feta cheese, suluguni and feta are optimally placed in brine or special whey in order to preserve the quality of these products. To remove salt, such cheese is first cut and then soaked in milk for about 8-9 hours.

In particular, feta cheese does not deteriorate very much after soaking. long time, while Suluguni does not possess this quality. However, there is still a solution to this problem: “Georgian” cheese should be stored in an airtight container filled with brine. In this case, it will be fresh for three months.

Shelf life

For many, the question of how long cheese can be stored in the refrigerator is of paramount importance. The answer to this depends on what varieties of “cow” product we are talking about. In particular, hard ones may not spoil for about 7-10 days. Soft varieties remain fresh for 3 days as they age quite quickly.

As for processed cheese, it remains fresh for only 2 days, after which all the taste and beneficial qualities of such a product disappear. Now you know how long cheese can be stored in the refrigerator.

If for one reason or another the “cow” product nevertheless becomes dry, then the situation can be corrected by soaking it in milk. If mold has formed on the cheese, you should cut it off, but you don’t need to throw away the cheese itself: add it as an ingredient to the dish you are preparing. Vacuum packaging will help extend the “shelf life” of any cheese.

The trip can be made right behind dining table. Today we will visit Italy and get to know Parmesan cheese better.

The Italians call it Parmigiano Reggiano, that is, “royal”. In Italy, several varieties of Parmesan are produced, varying in shape, size and technology. The first Parmesan was made in the area around Parma, hence its name. This is the hardest of all hard cheeses, and it is also not fatty (32% fat in dry matter). Outside of Italy, Parmesan is any very hard cheese.

What's good about Parmesan?

Parmesan is a source of protein. This cheese contains everything essential amino acids.
Parmesan is the least fatty of all hard yellow cheeses, so it is often used in diets.
Parmesan contains vitamins A, group B D and K, and minerals (calcium, phosphorus).
Parmesan contains butyrylic acid. It stops the growth of cancer cells in the colon and improves skin condition.
Parmesan contains isovaleric acid with a calming and anticonvulsant effect.

Disadvantages of Parmesan

This cheese contains glutamate, which triggers migraines. Only two cheeses - Roquefort and Parmesan - are contraindicated for migraines.
This cheese contains a large amount of salt.
Parmesan should not be eaten by people with individual milk intolerance and children with diathesis.

Parmesan. Leader in glutamate content among hard yellow cheeses.

Red wine. It does not contain glutamate, but also causes migraines by dilating blood vessels.

How to choose Parmesan

The packaging should say "Parmigiano-Reggiano".
The packaging must bear the letters D.O.P. This is a mark indicating that the product is controlled by origin.

All other “Parmesans” are most likely fake.

There are three types of cheese on Fresco - "fresh" (12-18 months), Vecchio - "old" (18-24 months) and Stravecchio - "very old" (24-36 months). With age, cheese enhances both beneficial and harmful qualities.

Grated Parmesan

The readiness of the cheese is checked by tapping and listening to huge heads of cheese weighing up to 45 kilograms. If the expert doesn’t like something, he sends the product to the “grater”. Parmesan heads have a quality mark - the abbreviation DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta), but now the sale of cheese heads is not commercially viable.

How to store Parmesan

Once you buy Parmesan, remove it from the plastic packaging as it destroys the cheese's enzymes. Wrap the Parmesan cheese in wax or parchment paper, but not tightly.

Wrap this package in foil and write the expiration date on top.

Shelf life: 6 months at a temperature not lower than 6-8 degrees (in the door or bottom shelf of the refrigerator). Grate the cheese before serving. Grated cheese can be stored for no longer than a week.

Never eat melted cheese.

How to eat

Sprinkle grated cheese on salads.

Related videos:

Among the variety of dairy products, cheese occupies a special place. Its role in cooking is enormous - it is an ingredient in many dishes: casseroles, appetizers, salads, soups and others. But it still often happens that you have to throw away a piece that is lying around, which has already become moldy.

Often it is ignorance of storage rules that leads to the fact that the product begins to dry out and loses its attractive appearance, taste qualities and aroma, but ultimately becomes simply unusable. Since cheese is a living product that is constantly developing, ignorance of storage rules can cause an acceleration of its ripening process.

As you know, everyone has different tastes, and this also applies to cheeses. But lovers of this or that type of cheese are united by the same question: how long to preserve the cheese so that it does not spoil.

How long can you keep cheese without mold?

It's no secret that cheese is made from milk, and not always cow's milk. Goat's and even sheep's milk can be used. This fact, as well as the manufacturing methods, determines the following types of cheese:

Hard – cheeses with a dense structure. Their lifespan under pressure is about 6 months. There are no large holes in hard cheeses; they are usually small and unnoticeable. These are Parmesan and Edam cheeses;

Semi-hard – cheeses that combine soft consistency and dense structure. They can have holes of various sizes. An example of cheese is “Maasdam”;

Soft – cheeses that do not require additional processing during production. They do not have a covering shell and a characteristic taste for the entire variety. Each soft cheese can be easily distinguished by its aftertaste, for example, mushroom or creamy. The most striking representative of this species is “Mascarpone”;

Brine cheeses are cheeses that can fully ripen only if there is a brine solution. Famous example– “Suluguni” cheese;

Processed cheeses are cheeses that, in addition to butter and cottage cheese, also contain condensed milk, cream or other products. To ensure the cheese is fully cooked, melting salts are added before finishing the processing;

Cheeses with mold - for their creation there is a special technology that allows the production of food-grade edible mold. This mold is absolutely harmless to human body, it can be of different colors: blue, green, red.

Each type of cheese can have, in addition to a different consistency and taste, different period storage It is necessary to carefully approach the question of how to preserve cheese, so as not to inadvertently eat a missing or moldy product. Naturally, any cheese should be stored in a damp cool place, that is, the refrigerator. Ideally protects cheese from drying out and spoiling cling film or parchment in which the product must be stored.

The best storage temperature for hard and soft cheeses is 10°C, so place under freezer doesn't suit them. It is better to place such cheeses away from the icy cold, for example, on a shelf in the refrigerator door.

How to preserve cheese: rules for storing hard and soft varieties

Compared to other types of cheeses, hard cheeses retain both their good appearance and taste much longer when stored in the refrigerator. However, its shelf life is also limited to 10 days, so you should not make large stocks of such a product in advance. You need to regularly check its crust for mold spots. Best conditions, in which hard cheese will lie maximum quantity days are:

Well ventilated place;

Air temperature from 3 to 10 °C;

Air humidity 90%.

To avoid the premature appearance of mold, you can put an ordinary cube of refined sugar in the packaging of the cheese. It is better to store hard cheese in plastic wrap or parchment, but not ordinary paper, in which it will simply become covered with a dry crust.

Cheese and constant shifting from shelf to shelf do not have the best effect on the condition of such cheese; it is all due to the difference in temperature conditions.

Before slicing the cheese and serving it, you need to prepare it 1 hour in advance, first removing the dairy product from the refrigerator. This way he can ventilate everything he previously absorbed from the refrigerator. unpleasant odors. In the case of leftover sliced cheese, the best thing to do is simply try to eat it. Because in the refrigerator the inevitable fate of being covered with a dry crust awaits it and a further trip to the trash can.

Soft varieties of cheese are not afraid of even sub-zero temperatures, but in such conditions their shelf life is significantly reduced to 3 days. The packaging contributes to the shelf life; it also protects the cheese from chapping and the formation of a dry crust. In an ideal way storing soft cheese is to place it in enamel pan small in size, but sealed packaging from the factory is also suitable.

If there are several types of cheeses, they must be stored separately. This is very important, since each cheese has its own unique taste, aroma and ingredients. Mixing varieties can spoil even the most fresh food.

Sometimes certain types of cheese make rare appearances in people's refrigerators, such as for holidays or special occasions. Determine by eye the optimal conditions for long-term storage it won't work. In this case, manufacturers will come to the rescue, indicating on the packaging both the appropriate temperature and shelf life of the product.

How to keep cheese in the refrigerator longer: other varieties

At home, you should try to store cheese that is intentionally produced with mold in commercially available sealed packaging. The more it covers such cheese, the better for the rest of the products. This way, mold, even though it is food-grade, will not be able to spread to other products and cause not the best emotions. Properly storing blue cheese should be either in glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, or cling film, which does not allow air to pass through.

Brine cheeses received this name because of the way they were stored. The dairy product must be kept in a weak solution table salt. Longer cheese will be stored if placed in glass jar or an enamel pan.

Processed or homemade cheese is best stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, like many other types. Storage in a plastic bag should be avoided; only glass containers will make the shelf life as long as possible. Homemade cheese, which was prepared with one's own hands, has a shorter shelf life than a factory-made product. Therefore, you need to eat it as quickly as possible, within 2-3 days.

How long to preserve cheese: timing control

The maximum period that can be allotted for storing a particular type of cheese always depends on storage conditions, temperature in particular. If the air temperature drops by 3 °C, dairy products may spoil. This does not apply only to homemade cottage cheese, not afraid even of freezing, and soft cheeses, which are designed for quick use. With frequent shifts temperature regime, humidity levels there is a high probability of spoilage dairy product. To maximize the shelf life, you need to carefully monitor these indicators and the availability of packaging for the cheese. It should not lie on the refrigerator shelf without packaging.

If the household does not have enamel containers for storing cheese, you can use an ordinary glass jar with a lid as a vacuum container.

While saving all necessary conditions Hard cheeses can be stored for 10 days in the refrigerator, while all others, that is, soft, processed, pickled, and moldy, have a shelf life of no more than 3 days. There are some exceptions in the form of, for example, Brie, Camembert, Roquefort cheeses, which can last in the refrigerator for 7 days if they are allowed to breathe every 2-3 days.

Useful tips on how to keep cheese longer in the refrigerator

Cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for as long as possible if:

Provide it with sealed packaging or vacuum container;

Keep the brine variety in a jar with milk or saline solution;

Place the sugar cube in the pan or package where the cheese is, and periodically replace it with a new one. This will remove excess moisture;

Store it in one piece, bought in a store, and do not cut it into many small pieces, as they will weather faster and their edges will become dry;

Do not use paper for storage, but replace it with foil or a special cheese pan for large volumes of cheese;

Do not contribute to constant temperature changes and store cheese on the side shelf of the door or the bottom shelf of the refrigerator;

Store each type of cheese separately from each other;

Place the cottage cheese in a glass or plastic container, close the lid tightly and place in the freezer.

If for some reason it is impossible to use a refrigerator to store cheese, then you can extend this period without it. You just need to wrap the piece in soaked in salt water cloth and hide it away from the sun. Hard cheeses will retain their properties for 7 days, the rest will last 2 days without compromising quality.

In fact, you don’t need to be a cheese expert or know a lot of tricks to keep a dairy product fresh for a long time. The main rule is not to eat cheese whose expiration date indicated on the package has long passed.