moldy cheese
Introducing moldy hard cheese is a surefire way to ruin a successful wine and cheese party. While mold on hard cheese isn't usually dangerous, it doesn't taste or smell very good and can cause allergic reactions in some. If you're a cheese lover, following a few tips can help you keep your hard cheese from developing mold.
Instructions
1. Keep all hard cheese in its original packaging before you open it. After opening, tightly wrap hard cheese in plastic wrap or a zip-top bag to prevent the formation of mold. This also keeps the cheese from dehydrating and absorbing odors from the other foods in your refrigerator.
2. Avoid touching the cheese with your hands when possible. According to Kathy Walsten with the Kansas State University Research and Extension's Family Nutrition Program, touching cheese with your hands can accelerate the growth of mold, so use a cloth or paper towel when you're cutting or grating hard cheese.
3. Freeze any leftover hard cheese that you don't plan on using within the week to avoid mold formation. Tightly wrap small quantities of cheese for easier thawing.
4. Cut out any mold that does form on your hard cheese with a knife and remove an area about one inch around the mold formation. The Alberta Home Economics Association recommends wrapping and discarding the moldy parts to avoid spreading mold spores in your kitchen.
Tags: hard cheese, cheese with, cheese from, cheese with your, mold formation, touching cheese