Can You Freeze Cheese?
Cheeses are a staple in almost every household. Every other dish that you make might contain cheese. Cheese is so flavorful that you can even have it alone. But cheeses tend to spoil and have an expiry date.
If your refrigerator is overflowing with shredded mozzarella or you have an extra wedge of parmesan, you might be wondering, what you can do to extend its shelf life. Freezing is a good preservation technique, but can you freeze cheese?
Yes, you can freeze cheese and store it in the freezer for later use. However, many people do not know that cheese is freezable. This is because not all types of cheeses freeze well. Also, freezing cheese will likely change its texture. Therefore, the frozen properties depend on the type of cheese you are freezing.
The texture of the cheese is everything. So, while it is frozen, it is important to protect the texture of your cheese. A classic pizza will taste better with stretchy mozzarella, and a burger will be delectable with melted cheddar.
How To Freeze Cheese?
How to freeze cheese? Cheese is available on the market in many forms: slices, cubes, and shredded are the most common of them and are widely used. If you do freeze cheese, all these three types are frozen in different ways to protect the texture of specific cheese types.
Learn the steps to freeze each of these cheese types.
Freezing Cheese Slices
Freezing slices of cheese involve one of the easiest cheese-freezing methods. It is a three-step process.
- Use parchment paper to separate the cheese slices from one another.
- Wrap the slices tightly in airtight packs and squeeze out all the air.
- The cheese slices are ready to be frozen and will keep for up to 8 months.
Freezing Cheese Cubes Or Blocks
Cheese blocks or cubes should be kept in their original packaging, even if you intend to freeze them.
- Wrap the cheese cubes in parchment paper separately.
- Cover the batch loosely with aluminum foil.
- Transfer them into freezer-safe airtight bags and seal them tightly.
- Remove all the excess air from the bag to avoid contamination.
- Label the bags and freeze them. This will keep for about 9 months in the freezer.
Freezing Shredded Cheese
Shredded cheese is difficult to manage when it comes to frozen shredded. A slight disobedience to the freezing technique might spoil your cheese.
- If you have a large batch, make portions of your shredded cheese.
- Transfer them into ziplock bags carefully and squeeze out all the air.
- Removing the air is important because a little air contact will spoil your cheese.
- Stack the bags into the freezer to freeze. This will keep for up to 9 months.
Cheeses That Freeze Well And That Don’t
Not all cheese is made in the same process. They vary in fat content and moisture content. It is due to this reason that not all types of cheese freeze well. Therefore, to avoid the quality loss associated with frozen cheese, it is preferable to avoid doing so with them.
Stick to freezing cheeses intended for cooking (such as shredded cheese or cheese slices intended for grilling) rather than cheeses intended for fresh consumption. This will protect the texture and flavor of your cheese.
Types Of Cheese That Freeze Well
- Cheddar
- Gouda
- Blue Cheese
- Feta
- Limburger
- Mozzarella
- Colby
- Parmesan
- Pizza Cheese
- Provolone
- Monterrey Jack
Types Of Cheese That Do Not Freeze Well
- Cottage Cheese
- Ricotta
- Brie
- Camembert
- Queso fresco
- Processed Cheese
Does Freezing Affect Cheese?
Cheese that is frozen and intended for cooking later is advisable. Frozen cheese can last for 6-9 months in the freezer depending on the type of cheese. Cheese contains moisture, therefore it is essential to freeze it adequately and consume it as soon as possible.
The longer you keep cheese in the freezer, the more it tends to affect the cheese. How?
Small ice crystals start forming on the inside of the cheese due to its moisture content. So, the longer you keep cheese in the freezer, it will develop more ice crystals and eventually ruin your cheese.
The water will later be released when you thaw the cheese. giving it a dry and crumbly texture. However, if you are have frozen hard cheese, this might not happen. On the other hand, soft cheeses are generally more prone to forming ice crystals.
Does Frozen Cheese Alter The Flavor?
The flavor of the cheese is not significantly impacted by freezing. It remains intact. And if you are cooking your frozen cheese, it will be as delicious and creamy as fresh cheese. However, the texture might show slight alterations. Therefore, it is advised to thaw your cheese properly or melt it before using it in recipes.
Summing it up, freezing cheese is the best way to store it for later use. But freezing cheese carefully to protect its flavor and texture is important. However, not all types of cheese can be frozen. The types that freeze well can be stored for a longer time than usual. Frozen cheese means you have cheese handy whenever you need it.