There are a large number of varieties of cheese: hard, semi-hard, soft, homemade and dozens of varieties. The duration of the entire storage period varies. To prevent food from spoiling, they should be frozen. But this does not always give a good result. The density of the mass will change; it is unknown what properties it will have after thawing.
You can find out this experimentally – on your own. But it is better to study the properties of different types of products in advance. This will allow you to find out whether cheese can be stored in the freezer and how long it can be kept at sub-zero temperatures. The product is not one that has an unlimited shelf life.
General storage rules
To prevent the cheese mass or hard block from deteriorating, a number of conditions must be met when sending for storage:
- the air should be cool, humid, the best option for temporary storage is a chamber in the refrigerator, pantry;
- air humidity is set at 85-90%;
- the temperature in the refrigerator is maintained at 0°...+4°С (for some types of cheese), most often the product is placed in the storage chamber at a temperature of +6°...+8°С, less often milder conditions are created (for French varieties) ;
- The product can be stored in the refrigerator provided it is fully protected from drying out and chapping (for models with a no frost system), it is covered with parchment, and the paper edge is secured with tape;
- You can store cheese in the freshness zone; it is not recommended to leave the product in places where it will be exposed to temperature changes; these areas are located next to the door.
Tip: You can increase the shelf life by soaking the parchment/gauze in salt water; wrap the block with this material and send it for storage.
What is the shelf life of Brie?
Brie, the soft French cheese we all love, has a very limited shelf life.
Because Brie cheese is different from other cheeses in that it has a soft interior underneath a crust of white mold, you may have a few questions about the storage conditions of this cheese.
Unopened brie will keep in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 months. Since it is a dairy product, you will need to be more careful when storing brie cheese. Also, pay attention to the expiration date on the packaging.
Some manufacturers state that the cheese is safe to eat within 14 days of the stated date. But if you decide to eat brie cheese that has expired, be sure to inspect it carefully to avoid any health risks.
But what if you want to extend the shelf life of your brie cheese? What if you bought a wheel of brie to bake for your evening gathering, but it got put aside?
As we all know, freezing is the best storage method to extend the shelf life of a number of foods. And fortunately, Brie is no exception. You can freeze brie to extend its shelf life. But to get a satisfactory result, you need to know how to do it correctly.
What happens if you freeze and then defrost cheese?
It is permissible to keep hard, semi-hard, soft and homemade varieties in the refrigerator (provided that the basic preparation rules are followed). But not all of them can be frozen in the freezer. For example, soft varieties are not recommended to be stored in the freezer. This also applies to homemade products. This means that the answer to the question whether it is possible to freeze cheese is ambiguous, it will be different, depending on the properties.
Hard cheeses withstand low temperatures in the freezer better than others. But even then you have to face troubles. In the freezer, the properties of the product are lost completely or partially. After defrosting, it becomes brittle and can no longer be used for slicing, but remains edible and almost does not lose its taste. The reason is the formation of ice crystals. After defrosting, they thaw, the moisture evaporates and the product dries.
Can you freeze cream cheese?
Can be frozen in the freezer
different types
of cheese
- hard, semi-hard, Parmesan, Brie, Cremette. Shelf life from 2 to 6 months.
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How to freeze cheese correctly
You need to store cheese in the freezer if you follow these recommendations:
- the bar is crushed (on a grater), cut into slices, the size of the largest is 500 g; when choosing a method, they take into account the period during which the defrosted product will be eaten;
- the bars are wrapped in parchment or film, and shredded shavings are stored in the freezer using containers and sealed bags;
- the recommended temperature at which cheese can be frozen is -10°C or lower;
- the product is capable of absorbing odors; to prevent such consequences, it is covered with different materials and placed in sealed containers, this will avoid mixing several types of cheese in the freezer;
- shelf life after thawing is reduced;
- Storing cheese in the freezer often takes several months; to remember the date of storage, you need to use stickers for bags.
Tip: If you defrost cheese, it will become too dry. You can restore its properties by soaking it in milk (no more than 15 minutes).
How long does a frozen product last?
If the freezing process is carried out correctly, the cheese will be stored for 5-6 months without loss of taste. But after defrosting, the consistency and structure of some varieties may change.
Grated cheese has the longest shelf life and can be used even after six months. If freezing was carried out in the form of large pieces or slices, it is advisable not to store the product in the freezer for more than three months.
Attention! If the product was frozen in large pieces, you should not serve the cheese in small slices after defrosting; they will not have a beautiful appearance. It is more advisable to add it to salads or other dishes.
Freezing different types
Some varieties can be stored in the freezer. They do not lose their properties and almost do not crumble. More often than not, if you freeze cheese that has fewer or no holes, it will keep better once removed from the freezer. Some varieties are best not frozen.
Hard cheeses
The block is first crushed with a knife or on a grater.
Here are the varieties that can be frozen:
- Emmental;
- Gouda;
- Armenian;
- Russian;
- Cherred;
- Mozzarella;
- Romano;
- Maasdam et al.
A product that has been frozen may thaw naturally. You cannot speed up this process using a microwave - the cheese will melt.
Parmesan
Main properties: dense structure, moderate fragility. If you freeze a product of this type in the freezer, these features will make themselves felt even more strongly. It can be stored for the same amount of time as other types of cheese in this category.
With increasing freezing time, fragility increases. As a result, the bars will fall apart when you try to cut them. Recommended temperature range is within -22°C.
Brie cheese, melted and creamy
Despite their softness, these varieties can be frozen. Moreover, they can be stored for a long time. But after thawing, some varieties often lose their appeal.
Processed cheese tolerates storage in the freezer the worst. After thawing, it is recommended to use it only instead of paste for spreading on toast. Despite this, you can still store cheese in the freezer.
If you plan to place a creamy variety in the chamber, it is better to choose these options:
- Viola;
- Violetta;
- Cremette;
- Lambert (55%).
Brie cheese, as well as Ricotta and Camembert, lose their properties more strongly if they are frozen. They begin to crumble more actively. The reason for such changes is a violation of the structure. If you freeze this type of cheese, it will become grainy.
Brie and other named types are best stored at moderate temperatures (for example, in the refrigerator). They are much less likely to be exposed to extreme cold.
The Cremette variety can be stored under such conditions only if the product is intended for the preparation of creams and sauces. This cheese can be frozen, but then its structure will change. After defrosting, the mass will begin to separate.
Suluguni
Fresh curd product is characterized by elasticity, increased density, and has a sour milk and salty taste. If you freeze it, it will become dry. The taste will deteriorate because of this.
Tip: It is recommended to freeze suluguni after a short soaking in salt brine (20%)/whey. The structure of this cheese will change minimally.
Curd (Adyghe) cheese
This is another variety that is characterized by a sour milk taste. This cheese has similar properties to other types: feta, feta cheese. They can be frozen. At the same time, useful components are not destroyed.
It is recommended to freeze Adyghe cheese at a temperature not lower than -5°C. This is enough to extend the shelf life to 60 days. Do not moisten it, especially with hot water.
Blue cheese
It is better to store this type of cheese at a moderate temperature - in the refrigerator. If you need to increase the shelf life, you should study more deeply the question of whether blue cheese can be frozen. The main condition is the creation of an oxygen-free environment. Blue cheese is sent for storage in industrial packaging.
If the product is frozen after opening the sealed film, it will lose its properties. It is impossible to restore them later. Long-term storage of cheese in the freezer is recommended if there has not yet been contact with oxygen. Damaged areas of the packaging are covered with cling film.
Is it possible to freeze grated cheese
Hard cheese is stored in the freezer taking into account the preparation rules. One option is grated. Use a grater or food processor. You need to get medium sized chips to freeze them. The grated product should not be placed in one bag/container. Then it will be difficult to separate a part from it.
You must first learn how to freeze cheese after grinding: to do this, divide the shavings into handfuls, pour each one into its own zip bag. To prevent it from sticking together into a lump, the main condition must be fulfilled. So, you should freeze the cheese taking into account the filling of the bags - leave 6-7 cm to the edge.
Is it possible to freeze processed and cream cheese in the freezer?
Processed cheeses are initially wrapped in foil, so they do not require additional packaging when frozen. Of the advantages of freezing this type of cheese, that’s all.
After defrosting the processed product, it is not served, as the structure has changed significantly. The only thing it remains suitable for is making sandwiches and adding to heat-treated dishes.
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Freezing in cubes or bars
The size of the bars is determined individually. Each one should be wrapped in parchment and topped with foil-based paper. If you don’t have all the materials at hand, one of them is enough. Moreover, preference is given to parchment. The chopped bars are placed in bags, after which they are sent to the refrigerator compartment.
Important: The smaller the size of the bars, the faster their shelf life ends.
How to defrost
Available options:
- Gradual defrosting. First, the bars are briefly sent to the refrigerator. Then leave it on the counter until completely thawed. This method is used when cheese is defrosted for consumption without heat treatment.
- Immediately remove the product from the freezer. It will defrost on the table. This method is used when cheese is used to prepare food (first and second courses).
Thus, any type of product can be frozen. But it can retain its properties if properly prepared. The cheese is sliced or grated. Hard products withstand freezing best.
Freezing chunks of cheese (brie and other hard cheeses)
Frozen hard cheese can be stored perfectly for six months.
Hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as Camembert and Brie, are frozen whole. If necessary, you can cut it into pieces. It is recommended to leave the product in its original packaging in an airtight container or bag.
In order for the product to retain moisture in its composition, it is necessary to comply with the conditions of slow, gradual defrosting.
