How to Buy Store and Freeze Cheese

When buying cheese aim to buy a good fresh quality cheese. Before you buy cheese sample it looking for a smooth, non buttery flavor. If tasting is not an option, let your eyes test the cheese for you. Survey the wrapper; avoid a sticky and wet wrapper that's reduced from the size of the rind.

Unripened Soft Cheese - When buying unripened soft cheese such as cream cheese, or neufchatel, ricotta or cottage cheese look for the date on the package and pick the freshest of the lot.

After buying fresh cut cheese, always re-wrap it.  You can do so by re-wrapping the cheese tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

Keeping air out and away from cheese will prolong the storage life.

Strong smelling cheese should be stored in a plastic container with a tight lid to prevent the aroma of the cheese from affecting other foods. Store cheese in the coldest area of the refrigerator.

Fresh, unripened cheese should be used soon after it's purchased. Both processed and natural cheese will remain fresh for several months if wrapped and refrigerated properly.

Cheese naturally molds as it's stored; slice off the mold in addition to a generous portion of the underlying cheese to reveal the remaining cheese which should be safe for eating.

Freeze Cheese- Unopened hard and semi hard cheese can be frozen for up to two months. If the original package has been opened, re-wrap the cheese tightly and freeze for up to six weeks. Cut cheese into 1 inch thick pieces, wrap tightly in a plastic wrap to keep moisture in and air out.

Thaw Cheese - To thaw cheese, remove it from the freezer, and refrigerate for 24 hours. Plan to use frozen cheese soon after it thaws.

Note - Soft and soft cured cheese do not freeze well as they become crumbly and break down in texture far to much for the effort.