Cheese can stay fresh and mould-free for up to two weeks longer when wrapped in baking paper or wax paper, according to food experts. Plastic cling film, while airtight, traps moisture and accelerates mould growth because cheese needs to breathe when stored.
Why plastic wrap is the wrong choice
When cheese is removed from its original supermarket packaging, many households reach for cling film to rewrap it. However, this is a common mistake. Experts advise against wrapping cheese in plastic, recommending baking paper or wax paper instead.
Plastic cling film works well as an airtight wrap for some foods, but it is detrimental for cheese. Tightly wrapping cheese in plastic traps moisture, which can cause mould to grow faster. Baking paper offers a more breathable solution, helping the cheese stay fresh for longer.
Expert and home cook advice
John Montez, certified cheese professional and head monger of Murray’s Cheese in New York, told CNET: "Cheese is a preserved product. It’s high in acid and salt, with much of the moisture removed. It’s rare you’d need to throw out a properly stored piece."
Social media users have also found value in this storage method. One Reddit user wrote: "I find that storing cheese in baking paper keeps it from going bad quickly, and helps it stay fresher for much longer."
Another said: "I'm going to try this! I hate wasting so much cheese due to mould." A third added: "I've got these reusable wax-infused linen sheets. They work fantastically, in that they keep the cheese from drying out but also prevent mould."
