Cheese is a natural product and continues to develop even after purchase. For its aroma, consistency, and quality to be preserved for as long as possible, proper storage is essential. Many people simply wrap cheese in cling film or place it in a plastic container. But this is often the reason why cheese dries out faster or starts to sweat.

Cheese paper was specifically developed to store cheese optimally. In this article, you will learn what cheese paper is, what advantages it offers, and what alternatives exist.

What is cheese paper?

Cheese paper is a special, breathable wrapping paper for storing cheese. The cheese paper is two-layered: inside there is a thin layer of breathable film and outside a breathable paper. One side regulates moisture, while the other protects the cheese from drying out. This allows the cheese to continue to "breathe", does not dry out, and no condensation can form.

This is precisely what distinguishes cheese paper from ordinary cling film or plastic packaging.

What are the benefits of cheese paper?

The special thing about cheese paper is that it creates an ideal climate for storing cheese. It prevents the cheese from drying out and also prevents the formation of unwanted condensation.

The advantages at a glance:

• Cheese stays fresh longer.
• The aroma is better preserved.
• Less mold formation due to moisture build-up.
• The cheese does not dry out as quickly.
• The rind remains in a natural state.

Especially with high-quality raw milk cheeses or long-aged cheese varieties, the difference is clearly noticeable.

Buying cheese paper – where and what to look for?

Cheese paper is available in well-stocked supermarkets, at the cheese counter, from online specialized retailers or directly from the online mail-order retailer where you order your cheese. It is often offered as individual sheets or as a practical cheese paper roll. In our Backensholzer Hof online shop, for example, you can order individual sheets of cheese paper separately.

When buying, pay attention to the following criteria:

• Material: Two-ply combination of paper and an inner coating of PE film for breathability and airtightness
  
• Paper quality and weight: Kraft paper should have a weight of 50g/sqm so that it is tear-resistant and does not soak through immediately when wrapping moist/heavy semi-hard cheese
• Size of the cuts: choose common household formats that fit your purchased cheese pieces
  

For those who regularly enjoy cheese, a roll of cheese paper is particularly worthwhile.

By the way: In our Backensholzer Hof online shop, you can get free cheese paper through our Hoffreunde loyalty program. And when putting together a Genussschatzkiste (delicacy treasure chest), you also get free cheese paper for a treasure chest value of 80€ or more!

How to store cheese properly?

The best place to store cheese is the vegetable drawer, as temperatures there are between 6 and 10 degrees, which is ideal for most types of cheese. In addition, there are few temperature fluctuations here.

It is also important:

• Store cheese whole if possible.
• Store different varieties separately.
• Cut cheese only shortly before consumption.
• Change the cheese paper regularly if it has become damp.

Our tip for Backensholzer Hof cheeses: To coax every little nuance of flavor and all the aromas out of the cheese, we recommend taking the cheese out of the refrigerator about an hour before consumption. Cooling is essential for shelf life, but the taste comes out best at room temperature.

How long does cheese last in the refrigerator?

How long cheese lasts in the refrigerator depends mainly on the type of cheese and proper storage. If cheese is stored in suitable cheese paper and kept cool, it stays fresh significantly longer than in cling film or airtight plastic containers.

As a general rule: the lower the water content in the cheese, the longer it lasts. For example, hard cheese, with the lowest water content, lasts the longest, while fresh cheese and soft cheese, on the other hand, last considerably shorter. If a cheese wheel has not yet been cut or the packaging is unopened, the best-before date serves as a good guide, but the cheese may still be edible for longer.

It is important to check the cheese before consumption. If it smells unpleasant, feels slimy, or shows unusual mold, it should no longer be eaten.

Here at Backensholzer Hof, all cheeses have a best-before date on the packaging, which you can use as a good guide.

How long does grated cheese last in the refrigerator?

What alternatives to cheese paper are there?

Not everyone has cheese paper at home or the possibility to buy it in their vicinity. However, there are some alternatives.

Suitable alternatives are:

• Greaseproof paper
• Parchment paper
• Slightly opened wax paper
  

Beeswax wraps are often recommended as a sustainable alternative. However, they are only conditionally suitable for storing cheese, as cleaning the wraps at high temperatures is not possible and wax components can transfer to the product when in contact with fatty foods (such as cheese).

Cling film or airtight plastic bags, on the other hand, are only conditionally recommended. In film, the cheese cannot breathe, moisture accumulates, and the cheese begins to sweat and spoils faster.

Many supermarkets sell cheese in cling film. For a short transport and for a few hours, this is unproblematic. We at Backensholzer Hof recommend wrapping your cheese in fresh cheese paper for storage.

In which container can cheese be stored?

In addition to cheese paper, there are other ways to store and preserve cheese. For good cheese storage in a container, the following should be considered:

• sufficient air circulation
• protection against drying out
• no stagnant moisture
• separate storage of different varieties

The combination of cheese paper and a cheese cloche is particularly well suited. A well-ventilated cheese box also represents a good alternative.

Many customers often ask us if they can store their cheese in Tupperware. Our answer from Backensholzer Hof is: only to a limited extent. Closed plastic containers allow little air exchange, so moisture collects and the cheese begins to sweat. If you want to use a food storage container, you should always ensure good ventilation or not close the lid completely airtight.

Conclusion: Cheese paper is the best choice

Cheese paper is the best choice if cheese is to stay fresh for as long as possible. The cheese paper ensures the right moisture balance, protects the cheese from drying out and preserves the full aroma. Although there are alternatives such as greaseproof paper, specially developed cheese paper offers the best storage conditions.

Anyone who buys high-quality cheese – especially long-aged raw milk cheese – should opt for quality in storage. This way, the cheese stays fresh for a long time, retains its full aroma and nothing stands in the way of enjoyable consumption!