Tips for cheese & dairy storage!

A frequently asked question for both consumers and producers is; how long a cheese can be preserved in the desired condition after its packaging has been opened. The truth is that a significant portion of both family budgets and producers' efforts go to waste when products are not consumed in time and end up in the trash. These amounts are staggering and the term 'food waste' has become a major concern in the food industry. According to Eurostat data, over 58 million tons of food ended up in waste bins in 2023. This equates to approximately €132 billion, or around 10% of the EU’s annual food production. Meanwhile, more than 37 million of our fellow human beings are unable to have a second meal each day. So, how can we do our part to ensure that such waste becomes a thing of the past?

We have also found ourselves throwing away packages because the product has passed its expiration date, or because we're unsure about the freshness of the remaining product. How often have we wanted to have a piece of cheese with fruit or a glass of wine, only to toss it because we saw mold on the surface? So how can we become part of the solution to this problem?  How can we utilize the full value of our purchased goods while reducing food waste? Below are some common questions and tips related to everyday practices that will enhance your cheese’s lifespan. These tips cost nothing, on the contrary, if you apply them, you will save money and waste less! 

1. How can we preserve cheese in the desired condition after opening the package? 

For hard and semi-hard cheeses, wrapping the cheese in a damp cloth or paper and placing it in an airtight container helps the cheese remain buttery and retain moisture longer. The lack of air will also delay the growth of mold on the surface. Brined cheeses like feta last longer if the brine is regularly changed in the storage container. 

Tip: Use water that has been boiled when dampening the cloth or making the brine. Although this is a very old and simple method of disinfecting water it is highly effective and safe. Boiling water for a few minutes kills all pathogenic microorganisms. 

2. What should I do if I spot mold on the surface of the cheese? 

Did you know that mold is in fact an ally of hard and semi-hard cheeses during the maturation process? It protects the cheese from the growth of unwanted bacteria and is responsible for some of the flavors that develop! Don’t be afraid of it; simply remove the affected part with a knife, or alternatively (if the mold is only on the surface) rub it off with a sponge soaked in saltwater. However, this technique doesn’t work as effectively with soft cheeses (like Katiki cheese or cream cheese) due to their consistency, which makes clearing off the affected parts difficult. 

Tip: When cutting off the moldy part, make sure the knife doesn’t touch the mold to avoid contamination of the rest of the cheese. 

3. Which products are the most sensitive? The rule of thumb here is; the more moisture a cheese contains, the more susceptible it is! Excess moisture encourages the growth of unwanted bacteria and yeasts, making the product inedible. Fresh cheeses and spreadable ones (e.g., cream cheese, Katiki cheese, Philadelphia-type), have high moisture content and therefore have a shorter shelf life once the package has been opened. 

Tip: Store cheese in the freezer if you know you won’t be consuming it soon. You may lose a little flavor, but you’ll gain up shelf life. 

It’s important to be informed not only about the product's production and expiration dates, but also about the nature of the product itself. For example, when milk turns sour, it doesn’t necessarily mean it has gone bad. The ingredients may have separated, and the taste may be slightly acidic. If the milk does not have any off-putting smell or taste, you can mix it with pieces of wheat and dry them in the sun, and you’ll get a very tasty result (similar to “sour trachanas” a type of pasta made from coarse wheat, which is boiled in sour milk and then dried in the sun)") that can be stored in airtight containers.

Finally, trust your senses. Before throwing away a cheese just because its expiration date has passed, look at it, smell it, and taste it. You might be pleasantly surprised! 

P.S.  Organize your fridge! Place items with sooner expiration dates at the front, as you’re more likely to consume them quickly!