How to Keep Cheese Fresh and Mold Free

Cheese is best eaten fresh, but you don’t always eat cheese all at once. If you have a bit of cheddar cheese or another favourite left, you likely store the rest in your fridge for later. To keep your cheese-whether it’s cheddar, brie, parmesan, or cottage cheese-fresh and free from mould growth, it’s important to use the right storage methods. These tips will help you prevent mould, maintain flavour and texture, and keep your cheese safe to eat from the first slice to the last.

7 Tips for Keeping Cheese Fresh and Mould Free

1. Use Cheese Wrapping Paper

The best way to store cheese is by wrapping it in parchment paper, cheese wrapping paper, or a cheese bag. These allow cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and swiss to breathe but limit excess moisture, helping prevent mould. Avoid plastic wrap, which traps moisture and can affect the flavour of hard cheeses and soft cheeses alike. Aluminium foil is also not recommended, as it can interact with the salt and acid in cheeses like parmigiano reggiano or aged cheddar, changing their taste.

2. Wrap Cheese Properly

Don’t wrap cheese too tightly or loosely. If cheddar or mozzarella is wrapped too tightly, it can develop an ammonia smell. If it’s too loose, hard cheeses and semisoft cheeses can dry out and lose their texture.

3. Replace Cheese Paper Each Time

Every time you unwrap and cut a bit of cheese, use fresh parchment paper or cheese paper to wrap the rest. Reusing the same wrapping can introduce harmful bacteria and reduce the effectiveness of the wrap, increasing the risk of fuzzy mould or white mould forming on the surface.

4. Avoid Touching Cheese Directly

When handling cheese-whether it’s sliced cheddar, soft cheeses like ricotta, or crumbly blue cheese-use clean gloves or a piece of plastic wrap to avoid transferring bacteria. Always use a clean knife and cutting surface to prevent mouldy spots from developing.

5. Oil the Cut Surfaces

For hard cheeses such as aged gouda or parmesan, lightly coat the cut surface with olive or canola oil. This can help prevent mould and makes it easier to safely cut away any little mould that may form.

6. Label the Storage Date

Label your cheese with the date it was wrapped and stored. This helps you track how long the cheese has been in the fridge and when it’s safest to eat.

7. Store Cheese in the Right Fridge Drawer

Keep cheese in the cheese drawer or crisper drawer, away from strong-smelling foods. Cheeses like camembert, brie, and washed rind cheeses can easily absorb other flavours. Avoid freezing cheese, as it affects the texture of both soft cheeses and hard cheeses.

Storing Different Types of Cheese

Soft cheeses such as cream cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese need some airflow to avoid becoming too moist. Use a bell jar or cheese dome to store them in the fridge. For hard cheeses like cheddar and parmigiano reggiano, wrap in parchment paper and seal with tape to keep them from drying out. Avoid airtight containers for semisoft cheeses and hard cheeses, as they don’t allow the cheese to breathe.

What to Do If Cheese Has Mould

If you find mould on cheddar cheese or other hard cheeses, you can safely cut away the mouldy spot with a clean knife, removing a bit extra around the area. For soft cheeses, cream cheese, or cottage cheese, it’s a different story-mould can spread quickly, so it’s best to throw the rest away. Blue cheese, bloomy rind cheeses, and smear ripened cheeses like brie or camembert are made to have mould on the rind, so a little mould is commonly found and safe to eat as part of the cheese.

How to Tell If Cheese Has Gone Bad

Cheese can go bad before its expiry date, especially if not stored properly. If you notice grey mould, fuzzy mould, or if the cheese smells or tastes rancid, it’s safest not to eat it. Hard cheeses with less moisture like parmesan or aged cheddar can sometimes be saved by cutting away the mould, but if the mould has penetrated deeply, throw the cheese away to avoid harmful bacteria.

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