You’re standing at the fridge door, staring at a block. Cheddar cheese. It’s only been a few weeks, but here it is—a vague, loose reminder that you’ve once again bought more cheese than you could eat in time. Sound familiar? Well, it’s time to say goodbye to this sad cheese saga for good.
We have stumbled. Cheese hack So simple and effective, you’ll never believe it can solve all your cheese woes. It only takes one step (and one Pantry component) and this will ensure that your cheese stays fresh until you put it down to the very last knob.
Photo by Getty Images/Kel Curry
Why does cheese mold so quickly?
You might not think of such a thing as cheese. Short shelf life in your fridge (Compared to berriesFor example), but if you don’t store it properly, the spoilage process can happen faster than you think.
Being a dairy product, cheese is, unfortunately, one of the best A breeding ground for bacteria and rot under the right conditions. In fact, the moment the cheese is cut and exposed to air and moisture, the mold clock starts ticking.
Typically, an open block of cheese Last in your fridge From four to eight weeks (depending on the variety of course). But, with this simple hack, the exact same cheese can stay fresh three times longer. All you need is one ingredient you probably already have in your pantry.
The perfect storage hack to keep cheese fresh
When you’re storing a fresh block of cheese, you remove it from the packaging instead of just throwing it in. Zip top bag And while returning it to the fridge, do this essential step first.
Take a clean paper towel, dip it in white vinegar to dampen it (wring more) and wrap the vinegar-soaked towel completely around the block of cheese. Then You can transfer it to a zip top bag (or Airtight container) and store it in the cheese drawer of your refrigerator.
From there, all you have to do is monitor the wetness of the paper towel every once in a while, rewetting it with more vinegar if it dries out. Then you’ll have fresh, mold-free cheese to enjoy for weeks and weeks to come.
How Vinegar Helps Preserve Cheese
We know what you’re thinking, and no, this hack won’t leave you with a vinegar taste. Grilled cheese. In fact, what makes this trick so effective is that it doesn’t change the taste of the cheese at all. The vinegar will easily prevent bacteria from growing on the surface so you can enjoy it for longer.
The magic is in it. White vinegarwhich has incredible antimicrobial and antifungal properties thanks to its high acetic acid content. This means that it can be used to significantly slow down the growth of food spoilage microorganisms.
It also keeps the cheese at the right moisture level. Cheese needs to retain some moisture to maintain its texture and flavor, but too much moisture can accelerate mold growth and spoilage. Using a towel dampened with vinegar provides a moist enough environment to prevent the cheese from drying out, while the vinegar’s acidity prevents it from becoming a breeding ground for mold.
Can you use vinegar hack on all cheeses?
The effectiveness of this trick depends on what scale it works on. Type of cheese Trying to save you. For hard cheeses with low moisture content (think Parmesan, Pecorinoand aged Cheddar), this trick will work beautifully for months. It will also be a game changer for semi-hard cheeses like Gouda, Swiss and Provolone.
But, as the cheeses soften, the storage trick loses its magic. While vinegar can do Increase the freshness of soft cheeses like brie, camembert, and mozzarella. If the towel is too wet with vinegar, it can cause the cheese to swell or change texture. is And, me Fresh cheeseit can completely ruin the flavor and texture, so stick to the hard stuff when you use this technique.
Go ahead – buy yours. Favorite cheese in bulk And the shop Selling fancy cheeses With this trick if you want, you won’t have to worry about the state of your cheese drawer, and you’ll never see your hard-earned cheddar go bad again.