Forum: cooking.stackexchange.com
Tags: <storage-method><cheese><storage-lifetime><parmesan>
Title: How to store Parmesan cheese?
Question: I recently lucked into about 4 lbs of a delicious Parmesan. Sadly it's already in 4 pieces, and so I'm pretty sure its going to be more prone to spoilage than a single large chunk. How does one go about setting up a block of dry, hard cheese for long term storage?   Also how long can I expect my cheese to retain its flavor?

Answers:
sents: text: If it's high quality, store it in the refrigerator in an air-tight container and try to use it as quickly as possible so you can enjoy it while it's fresh.
text: There are always excuses to use loads of parmesan: cheese plates, pasta dinners, fondue, scones, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc.
text: It should last for 3-4 months in a sealed container in the fridge.
text: As time goes on it will get drier, but that's to be expected.
text: If you can't eat it in time, consider giving some away to a friend.
text: If you wanted, you could freeze it as well, but I would only use it for baking or melting once thawed as some flavor and a lot of texture will be lost.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/3637/Hakan B.
score: 9
sents: text: Fresh parmesan....
text: hmm : )
text: Parmesan is typically aged 6 months to 2 years...
text: it is aged with no special covering or container, it forms what is called a natural rind.
text: To store it, once it has been cut is very simple: place it in as airtight a container as possible and refrigerate.
text: DO NOT wet it, this may lead to spoilage...do not leave it exposed to the elements.
text: Pretty simple...
text: I make artisan cheeses.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/12591/Bruce
score: 7
sents: text: You could wrap it into cheese paper (like http://www.amazon.com/Formaticum-Cheese-Paper-Adhesive-Package/dp/B002I47P40 ) and store it in the fridge.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/11191/Andre
score: 3
sents: text: I strongly disagree with the idea of storing it in an airtight container and using it quickly.
text: I assume people suggest using it quickly because in an air-tight container you'll have condensed water in the box which will make your cheese go bad.
text: I recommend to put it in a box and put the top on, but leave the top open a little bit (or use a box that lets air through; that would be even better).
text: With that, most excessive humidity will leave the box, without creating too much condensed water inside and without drying the cheese too fast.
text: With this method I can keep my Parmesan for at least 3 weeks.
text: Cheese paper might be a good idea also.
text: But not in airtight containers - since you'll definitely have humidity leaving your cheese.
text: (This applies to a piece of Parmesan, not pre-grated Parmesan.)
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/23199/Holger
score: 3
sents: text: What we would always do at home would be to wrap it in paper towel and then put it in a plastic bag in the fridge.
text: This will prevent it to dry too much, and the paper will absorbe any moisture forming on the surface.
text: The paper should be changed every now and then to avoid mold growing on the cheese.
text: If mold grows on the cheese just remove the "moldy spot" and you'll be fine.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/6531/nico
score: 2
sents: text: Per Marcella Hazan, author of the wonderful "Essentials of Italian Cooking" - Wrap it tightly in wax paper, then in heavy-duty aluminum foil, being careful not to poke the foil.
text: Store on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator.
text: Works perfectly.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/20752/Geo
score: 2
sents: text: Smear butter to prevent drying.
text: I have also experimented freezing parmesan.
text: It does dry out a bit but still could be used in hot dishes like pasta.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/29278/cataltar
score: 2
sents: text: Coming from Italian origin.
text: I remember my grandmother and aunties in Italy leaving the block of Parmesan in the large round Parmesan grater that everyone seemed to have and that's where it stayed, in amongst the grated cheese.
text: Because the lid has hundreds of small holes in it, the cheese would eventually dry out.
text: However, this doesn't spoil the cheese as it's perfect to grate even when the cheese has dried hard.
text: I never saw moulding or spoiling.
text: I have seen Parmesan go green when stored in the fridge in plastic.
text: But, don't throw it out just remove any mould
text: and away you go.
text: Good Parmesan, Regianno, is matured for 2 years in cellars and doesn't need a fridge.
text: Just a container with a breathable lid in a cool cupboard is best I find.
text: We don't give it time to go off anyway, that would be so wrong.!!
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/36053/Tony
score: 2
sents: text: Wrap it in a clean, damp kitchen towel, then in foil.
text: It will store well for a long time, without losing any of its texture or nutty flavor.
text: This will allow the cheese to breathe.
text: Change the towel every time you use the cheese to prevent any possible cross-contamination.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/11086/Joannie
score: 1
sents: text: While on a visit to a Parmesan cheese factory in Italy, we were advised to wrap the cheese in a clean teatowel and keep it in the fridge.
text: (by the way, dry rind pieces can be added to soups or stews to enrich the flavour.)
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/61749/E Morgan
score: 1
sents: text: Were I live as we have.
text: Dip twice in melted bees wax.
text: Store in a cool place.
text: Or dip in wax.
text: It can be put in jars of salt sea water.
text: Then stored in a cool place.
text: Bees wax seems to work best.
text: I have found that for just a week wrap in plastic bags.
text: Thin ones like you get at store.
text: Put in fridge.
text: This is 3rd world tropics.
text: I like the idea in a jar with bread.
text: Going to try that.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/54532/J Bergen
score: 1
sents: text: Put it in a jar with a piece of bread...
text: works every time and its lasts a long time.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/29383/Gail
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or in the freezer with some loss of flavour and texture. Parmesan will get drier as time goes on, but this does not spoil the cheese.
You could wrap it in cheese paper or a paper towel to let it breathe and keep it cool.