Cook only long enough to melt the cheese and blend it with the other ingredients. To help accelerate the blending, shred, grate or cut cheese into small pieces before using for cooking. One of the easiest ways to shred cheese is with one of the fastest-selling kitchen gadgets. The Greenville News . Careful storage and handling help preserve its flavor and shelf life.
Cheese continues to ripen no matter how carefully it is stored.
Hard cheeses generally will keep for several months, but softer cheeses keep only for one to three weeks after opening if stored in an airtight container. Inspect the package before buying cheese. Check freshness dating on the package. Don't purchase if there is visible moisture or shrinkage of the cheese on the rind. Cheese should be stored at temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees in the original container, waxed paper, transparent wrap, foil, plastic bags or tightly covered containers.