How to serve cheese
To allow each guest to taste all the nuances of a good cheese, you must try as much as possible to distribute the interior and the rind equally for each piece. With this in mind, the cut must inevitably consider the form, which varies from one cheese to another.
Round or square cheeses
If they are not very thick, cut small round or square cheeses as you would a pie or a cake. Never cut the “nose” of a wedge.
If the rindless cheese is thick enough, you can divide the wedges in half across the width.
Cheese wedges
Slice the cheese wedges into parallel strips from either side, or cut into quarters.
Larger cheese wedges can be sliced in a fan shape, forming small even wedges.
Rectangular cheeses
Thin, rectangular cheeses can be sliced parallel to the shortest side, or diagonally if you prefer to create wedges.
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.