If any of you are like me and are always trying to come up with a better way to store… well, everything, here’s an easy solution for a puzzling problem: How to keep cheese fresh longer? One of my greatest disappointments is when I open a storage container or plastic bag and the contents are less than desirable. But what truly aggravates me even more is when the food is an expensive piece of my favorite cheddar or parmesan Reggiano cheese’ moldy, hard and dry. Totally unacceptable!
I am happy to say I have found the answer to my cheese storage woes in the form of a lovely little bag manufactured by Formaticum. The bags are made from calcium carbonate polyethylene, the most common product used in food packaging, and are PFA, BPA, and BPH free. This material allows air to circulate but keeps in enough of humidity to prevent the cheese from drying out. And better yet they are totally hand washable, reusable (until you notice butterfat stains on the paper), and recyclable. Sounds like a win to me.
But what about the cheese? I have to admit these bags are a game changer. I opened a block of my favorite cheddar, placed it in the bag, folded it closed, and stuck it in one of the crispers in my fridge.
A few days later, I needed my afternoon cheese and cracker fix and retrieved my bag. I was surprised to find the cheese soft and creamy, and I didn’t have to bring it to room temperature to enjoy its flavor. My husband tried it too and completely agreed – it was as fresh and delicious as the day he bought it.
Up next: The test of time. I deliberately left that block of cheddar in the same bag for three weeks. When I went back to eat it, the cheese still tasted as good as it did the day I opened it. The cheese had not lost its creaminess or taste at all. Very impressive.
Formaticum offers a wide variety of cheese bags and cheese paper. Their website does a great job explaining what cheese storage method works best for different varieties and all sorts of tips and tricks for storing your cheese.
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