How to serve and store cheese

The way you prepare the cheese is important. Indeed, the taste of cheese is different according to whether one takes a piece from the middle or close to the rind.

To Preserve all of the Flavour

The secret to good preservation is in the packaging. Whole cheeses should be stored in their original packaging. All the others would benefit from being wrapped in wax paper and then aluminum foil. Pieces of cheese bought in plastic wrap must be packed as soon as possible in wax paper. Avoid storing cheese in plastic wrap, which prevents the cheese from breathing and alters the cheese’s rind or interior. Firm cheeses can be stored wrapped in aluminum foil.

As a general rule, the packaging must seal the cheese to prevent it from drying. Of course, you should not remove the rind because it acts as protective coating to preserve the flavour. In addition, it adds to the visual pleasure and, in the majority of cases, it is edible.

Once suitably wrapped, your cheese can be placed in an airtight plastic container. This way it is protected from jolts and pressure, as well as from odours from other food or cheese. You can also store several kinds of cheese in the same container providing that they are the same type.

What you Should Know

No cheese benefits from being stored for too long. If you shop at a good cheesemonger or reputable supermarket, your cheese should be at its best when you buy it. As such, it is preferable to consume it quickly.

However, cheese generally keeps well in the refrigerator. Ideally, it must be stored in a fresh and wet environment between 2ºC and 4ºC, depending on the type of cheese. The best method is to store it in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator and to insulate it as much as possible from other foods (and other cheese) that release strong odours.

Be sure to remove cheese from the refrigerator one hour before serving so that it can be eaten at room temperature.

How Long?

Soft Cheeses	Packed well, they will preserve all their qualities for several days. For example, young Brie and young Camembert cheeses can be stored for a few weeks. On the other hand, from the moment they have been purchased, you can store them up to two weeks under proper conditions.
Semi-Soft Cheeses	Stored in their original packaging, they can keep in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. Cut pieces can be kept one week to one month depending on the cheese, as long as they are well wrapped.
Firm Cheeses	They keep very well up to one month and sometimes more if they are well wrapped. These cheeses continue to age and develop stronger flavours.
Veined Cheeses	They have the best chance to be preserved when wrapped in a wet cloth, then sealed in an airtight plastic container.
Fresh cheeses	Two weeks, wrapped in plastic film, between 2 and 4°C.

And Freezing?