Cheese is a staple in many UK households. Whether it’s brie, stilton, or cheddar, there’s no shortage of choice. Among many things, cheese can be enjoyed in sandwiches, melted over dishes, or served with wine and crackers. But while most people love eating cheese, storing it can sometimes be a challenge.
Many people wrap it in cling film or keep it in a plastic bag, but according to one chef, this is the worst way to store it. In a video on his YouTube channel Food Chain TV, Chef Cristian Feher said: “Are you still storing your cheese in a plastic bag or wrapped in plastic? Well, you’ve got to stop doing that. That’s a bad habit.”
He explained cheese “needs to breathe” and when it’s sealed too tightly, problems may start to appear.
“Putting cheese into a plastic bag or wrapping it can actually trap moisture,” the chef said.
“And that moisture can make it soggy and it’s the fastest way I know to make your cheese mouldy.”
Feher also warned that some cheeses, like aged cheddar or blue cheese, produce ammonia as they age.
“If they’re tightly wrapped in plastic, ammonia can accumulate and it can actually alter the flavour in the cheese, and not in a good way,” he added.
Instead, he suggests wrapping cheese in parchment or wax paper. “You don’t have to be a good wrapper. It’s not Christmas time,” he joked.
“Just put it on a piece of parchment paper, wrap it up, and get an elastic band on there.”
Feher, who describes himself as a “self-confessed cheeseaholic”, also shared how he stores large amounts of cheese at home.
“I get a nice serving dish, put a paper towel on the bottom, and put all my cheeses into the dish,” he said.
He then covers the dish with a towel and places it in one of the drawers in his fridge.
“Look at that,” he said while showing off his cheese collection. “I got manchego, I got some Jarlsberg, I got some fresh parmesan.”
According to him, this method keeps the cheese “for a long time, with no mould and excellent flavour.”
The Express has plenty of food storage hacks, so be sure to check them out.