Can you freeze Parmesan and store it in the freezer?

A common question is: can you freeze Parmesan in the freezer? Can. When frozen and defrosted, it practically does not lose its taste. The maximum shelf life in the freezer is 6 months.

How to store Parmesan in the freezer?

You can freeze cheese. It makes sense to do this if the product could not be used completely or the seal of the packaging was broken. It will be stored in the freezer for a long time, up to six months (at temperatures below 8 degrees).

There are some features that are important to consider when freezing:

• Parmesan is a very hard cheese and can be frozen whole.
• If you plan to use the product little by little, it would be correct to first divide it into portions (50, 100, 200 g each).
• Grated Parmesan can also be frozen!
• Use moisture-resistant and airtight packaging. You can wrap the cheese in a bag, wax paper or foil. Then you should additionally place it in an airtight container.
• Sign the package. Be sure to indicate the variety, date of freezing and final expiration date.

Sometimes after freezing the cheese becomes crumbly and crumbles easily. This does not affect the taste. Use it to prepare dishes and sauces.

Thaw the cheese gradually. The slower it thaws, the better it will retain moisture and original taste. It is correct to first transfer the frozen product from the freezer to the refrigerator.

Other long-term storage methods

Hard cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time if a number of conditions are met. The best option is to place it in a vacuum bag. Such bags are constantly used in professional kitchens, and are increasingly being purchased for home use. Packaged or independently sealed in film, Parmesan is stored at temperatures from +2 to +8 and at a humidity of 90% for 6 months (on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator).

Another method involves storing in the refrigerator in parchment paper and foil. You need to first wrap a piece of cheese in paper and then wrap it in foil on top. If it is grated, you can make a little bag out of parchment - something like a cone-shaped glass. Double packaging will prevent the breakdown of enzymes, chapping, drying out, and the absorption of foreign odors. In this form, Parmesan can be stored in the refrigerator for about 10 days.

Large pieces of cheese keep better than grated or cut cheese.

Parmesan is a very hard cheese and has a longer shelf life than other varieties. Vacuum packaging ensures storage for 6 months. And it doesn’t matter where - in the refrigerator or freezer. It makes sense to freeze cheese only when the package is opened and the product is not planned to be used in the next 10 days.