Advice and information about caring for your cheeses
In general, whole or larger pieces of cheese will last longer than smaller cuts, but the style of cheese plays a role too. At The Cheese Yard in Knutsford, we want you to be able to thoroughly enjoy your cheese without any of it going to waste. Check out our information and guide below about caring for your cheese and shop our extensive cheese collection now.
Shelf life
You can often expect a shelf-life of 5 to 10 days from receipt on cheeses we deliver. However we recommend consumption within 5 days and re wrapping your cheeses every couple of day in fresh paper for best quality. (The exceptions are very fresh cheeses like Mozzarella di Bufala, which may only have three to four days’ life.)
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Cheeses like Cheddar and Gruyère, and robust blues like Stilton and Fourme d’Ambert, will keep for up to 12 days if carefully wrapped and stored in waxed paper or foil. Some soft cut cheeses like Brie de Meaux and Waterloo can be more delicate, but generally they will keep for 8 to 12 days. If you are in any doubt, please ask us for advice. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about your cheese, feel free to call us with any questions.
How to store cheese
Our cheesemongers cut every piece of cheese by hand, and wrap it in our waxed or perforated paper. Cling film doesn’t preserve your cheese as well, so re-wrap your cheese in the waxed paper or parchment paper if you aren’t going to eat it all in one sitting, or wrap it in foil. Re-wrap your cheeses every couple of days to ensure the best quality and shelf life. Some cheeses arrive in their own wooden box. Don’t discard this, it will help to keep your cheese in tip-top condition. Cheese and mould are natural bedfellows and given a chance, all cheese will grow a coat. If your cheese has spent some time in the fridge, and you find some surface mould when you unwrap it, just trim a thin layer away. The cheese underneath will still taste great.
Where to store cheese
If you’re not planning to eat your cheese immediately, then it’s important to take good care of it until the time comes to tuck in.
For most people, the best place to keep their cheese is in the fridge. If you have a larder or cellar, you can keep whole, hard cheeses there, but all soft, blue and cut cheeses will fare best in the fridge. The best place is usually the salad compartment. It is slightly warmer and more humid than other areas of the fridge. If you are worried your cheese might have a strong smell, store it in a sealed plastic tub to help contain the aroma.