Cheddar cheese can be kept fresh for up to 10 months longer if stored using a simple double-wrapping method, according to Jill Allen of US cheese company Tillamook.
Once a pack of cheddar is opened, it can quickly harden and become inedible. With prices often reaching £5 for half a kilo, this is a significant issue for households looking to save money.
Double wrapping method
Allen says that because cheddar is a harder cheese, it needs to be 'double wrapped', first in wax paper and then for a second time in a loose plastic or tin foil. As reported by Serious Eats: “She says the block of cheddar in your fridge can be stored for up to 10 months, however, you can store it longer if you maintain the temperature and prevent light penetrations that can cause light oxidation.”
“Like other harder, less moist cheeses, she recommends double wrapping. Wrap first in parchment paper, cheese paper, or beeswax reusable paper, which allows the cheese to breathe, and then again in a loosely fitted plastic wrap or tinfoil to allow some breathing room for the cheese.”
Optimal fridge conditions
According to The Modern Milkman, the fridge should ideally be kept between 5-8C for cheese, and the vegetable drawer is the perfect place to keep it away from light.
Adding a cube of sugar to the cheese container can also help draw moisture away from the cheese, keeping it fresh for longer. They added: “One final top tip to avoid cheese sweat is to put a small cube of sugar alongside your cheese in an airtight container. This is especially effective at absorbing excess moisture once you’ve broken into your block.”
