The Neal’s Yard Dairy Guide to Home Cheese Care

At our maturation arches, we provide the appropriate conditions to bring out the best possible flavour and texture for every cheese. By storing your cheese properly at home, you can enjoy it at the peak of its deliciousness not only when it arrives, but for several days afterward. We have some advice for how to do just that.  

Careful packaging keeps cheese in great condition. 

1. Check

As soon as you receive your cheese, be sure to unbox it and check it. If any of the paper wrapping has become damaged or loose en route to you, re-wrap it before storing. If there are any issues, contact us and we'll do our best to put them right straight away.  

2. Wrap

We sell our cheese wrapped in waxed paper, which achieves the best possible balance between preventing it from drying out and allowing it to breathe. If you plan to unwrap a piece of cheese without finishing it right away, be sure to re-wrap it as soon as possible. We are happy to provide some extra cheese paper with your order. Avoid wrapping your cheese in cling film or foil. It can cause the cheese to sweat which can negatively affect the flavour and texture. Parchment/greaseproof paper is the best substitute for cheese paper.  

Do you need to see a demonstration? Watch our instructional video on how to wrap small pieces of cheese. 

3. Store

Cut pieces of cheese are sold ready to eat. To keep them in this condition and slow the growth of mould on their surfaces, they should be kept in the refrigerator. More specifically, they should be kept in an area of the refrigerator that balances humidity and airflow. Consider nestling your cheese among the fruits and vegetables of the salad drawer or placing it in a cardboard box. Avoid the refrigerator door, which is overly drying. 

Cut pieces of cheese are intended to be consumed within 14 days of arrival when stored as instructed.  

Keep in mind that removing a piece of cheese from the refrigerator for serving multiple times will reduce the  = Each time you bring a cheese up to room temperature, all its live cultures and moulds kick into action. This can decrease the amount of time it remains in peak condition.  

If you notice your cheese has developed surface mould or become dry, you can use a knife to scrape off the superficially damaged layer of the cheese. You will find that what is underneath is like new. 

4. Serve

It is important not to serve your cheese when it’s too cold as it can taste bland. As a general rule of thumb, you should bring it out of the fridge a few hours before you plan to serve it. If it is especially warm in your house, you should reduce the amount of time the cheese is out of the fridge accordingly. Once the cheese warms up you will notice it carries many more layers of flavour than it did when it was cold. 

Keeping your cheese wrapped whilst it is coming up to room temperature helps to avoid any risk of it drying out. If you know you don’t plan on eating all of your cheese at once, it is advisable to cut the amount you wish to serve from a lager piece. You can then re-wrap the rest to return to the fridge, keeping it fresh for later. 

Good cheese care means better-tasting cheese. 

Do you have other questions about how to take care of your cheese? Please contact us. We would be more than happy to help.