Preserve a Cheddar Cheese Wheel in Wax
Preserving cheddar cheese in wax is a time-honored, traditional way of insuring that the cheese does not develop mold over time. Either the wheel can be dipped into the wax or the wax can be painted on using a cheese or pastry brush. Either way, the key is to ensure that all surfaces of the cheese are sealed with the wax to avoid any and all exposure to air.
Instructions
1. Place the wheel of cheddar cheese in the refrigerator for several hours. This will allow the wax to adhere fully to the cheese.
2. Plan to use 5 pounds of cheese wax for the dipping method and 1 pound if you plan to use a brush.
3. Place the wax in the upper portion of an old double boiler. Insure that the upper portion is large enough for dipping half the wheel at a time if you plan to use the dipping method.
4. Heat the wax to 240 degrees F over medium-high heat.
5. Use a natural-bristled pastry or cheese brush to paint a thin layer of wax over all of the surfaces of the cheese. If dipping, dip one half of the wheel quickly into the wax and allow the drips to fall back into the pan. Allow the wax to dry.
6. Apply a second thin layer of wax to the cheese wheel using the brush. If dipping, quickly dip the opposite half of the wheel into the wax.
7. Inspect the cheese wheel to insure that all surfaces are coated and sealed. Paint a third layer of way or redip, if needed.
Tags: half wheel, cheddar cheese, Cheddar Cheese Wheel, cheese dipping, cheese wheel
