How to Store Cheese – Cheese Storage Guide

When your Hartington Creamery order arrives, you’ll naturally want to tuck in straight away. Our cheese is delicious, and regardless of whether you’re a fan of white cheese, blue cheese, or more exotic flavours, you’re in for a treat.

But you might also want to save your cheese for a while, until guests arrive or simply so you can enjoy it at a time that suits you best. Also, if you’ve ordered a cheese hamper or large order of artisan cheese, there will be a lot to get through, so some will naturally need to be stored for later.

We hate the idea of any of our cheese going to waste, so today we’re going to explain how to store cheese and how to keep cheese fresh.

The Best Way to Store Cheese

Cheese, like most dairy products, will go off quickly if stored incorrectly. Because of our dedication to traditional methods and ultimate flavour, we don’t add any preservatives to our cheese, so it has a shorter shelf life than supermarket alternatives.

All of our cheese products come with a use by date, please don’t consume after this date.

We do a lot to ensure that the cheese that arrives on your doorstep is as fresh as possible. The way we package our cheese is a key part of this.

Cheese truckles are small cheese wheels sealed tightly in wax. They are airtight, so will stay fresh for a long time. If you ordered some from our Heart of Hartington range, you’ll also be greeted with brightly coloured wax shells, with the flavour clearly displayed on the front, so you know what to expect when you’re ready to open it.

We care about our environmental impact, but don’t want to sacrifice freshness just to be greener. That’s why our other cheeses are wrapped securely in wax paper, which keeps them fresh but doesn’t involve any plastic.

Our shipping times are also fast, so there is less time on the road for our products. If your cheese is for a special occasion such as a birthday, Christmas, or any other party or get-together, you can order your cheese so that it arrives just before; no need to worry about storing it long term.

But if you do need to store cheese, the best way is obvious.

How to Store Cheese in the Fridge

You can still keep your cheese fresh by simply putting it in the fridge. Hard cheeses will last for a few weeks, and you can get up to a week with softer cheeses. That means that the vast majority of our cheese will keep for at least 2-3 weeks, so there is no rush to eat it all at once. But please always check the use by date.

If you’ve opened your cheese, and it is no longer protected by the wax truckle or its sustainable packaging, you have shortened its lifespan in the fridge, you should eat it within 3 days. Exposed cheese can also lose flavour, or absorb the flavours of other food items that are stored with it.

To avoid this, always wrap up your cheese thoroughly, using sandwich bags, foil, or Tupperware.

Storing Cheese by Type

That was a little vague, but that’s because different types of cheese have different shelf lives, and the best way to store them isn’t the same either. All Hartington Creamery cheese must be kept refrigerated.

So let’s break down each type and how it should be stored.

• Hard, Aged Cheese – These are the most hardwearing of cheese, and should be wrapped in parchment/wax paper and then a layer of plastic once opened.
• Hard/Semi-Hard Cheese – Use plastic wrap to seal in moisture.
• Blue Cheese – These are softer cheeses, and known for their distinctive mould. They should be wrapped in plastic or foil and stored in the warmest part of the fridge to preserve their creamy texture.
• Soft Cheese – These will absorb the smells of other items in the fridge, so are best kept in a sealable container.

Can you Freeze Cheese?

The simple answer is yes, you can freeze cheese, but before you pop it into a freezer, there are some things you need to know about first.

This is because, while all cheese can be frozen, some are better suited to it than others. Blue cheese, for example, will lose some flavour and texture if it is frozen. If you are using it for cooking, freezing is fine, but if you want the best flavour experience storing it in the fridge is still best.

If you do decide to freeze your cheese, make sure you package it properly. Tightly wrap it in foil, clingfilm, or parchment paper, ensuring that there are no pockets of air inside. Then place it into an airtight container to avoid freezer burn.

Freezing isn’t always ideal, but if you really want your cheese to last, it will keep for a long time.

When it’s time to take your cheese out of the freezer, make sure you defrost it thoroughly in the fridge before eating or using in cooking.

The Best Artisan Cheese

All of our cheese should be stored in the fridge, and will arrive fresh despite the lack of preservatives. So if you do want to save it for a special occasion or savour the experience, you won’t have to worry about it losing flavour or going off before you get to enjoy it.

By following our cheese storage advice, you shouldn’t have any issues whatsoever. So enjoy your cheese, and if you have any questions about us or any of our products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!