Say cheese: this is how to store your cheese properly (and how definitely not to!)

When it comes to storing cheese, a lot can go wrong. The way you store that block of young matured cheese or Parmesan is actually crucial to keeping the cheese fresh. And the best way to do it, apart from cheese paper? This is it.

Cheese lovers who go to their favorite cheesemonger every week for a fresh supply always receive their purchase neatly wrapped in the paper intended for this purpose. This cheese paper is specially made for wrapping cheese; its special layer ensures that the cheese is properly sealed and protected.

Happy cheese

But cheese paper isn’t something most people keep in the drawer next to the aluminum foil and plastic wrap. So what is the best option? Something you probably do have at home: parchment paper. Parchment paper also has a wax-like layer that keeps the cheese from drying out when you store it in a cold and damp place (a must for happy cheese!), such as the refrigerator.

This will not make your cheese happy

And there’s one more thing you should never do: leave cheese that you buy in plastic packaging in that packaging. The plastic seals the cheese off, meaning it can’t breathe. As a result, your cheese won’t last very long and will taste considerably less delicious after a few days of storage.

Also read:

• 5 surprising facts about blue cheese
• Can blue cheese go bad or not?
• The best European destinations for cheese lovers