What’s the Cheese Situation in Your Fridge?

Looking for a guide to curate the perfect cheese collection in your fridge? This article will walk you through different types of cheeses, storage tips, and how to make the most of your cheese selection, from grocery shopping to consumption.

Types of Cheese in Your Fridge

Your fridge doesn’t need to be a bland, boring space. Instead, it can be a delightful collection of various types of cheese—each offering unique flavors and textures. Let’s explore the diverse range of cheeses you can store in your fridge and how they can enhance your culinary experience.

Transformation from Grocery Store to Home

When shopping for cheese, the first stop might be a wholesale store like Costco, which offers a vast array of cheeses with unmatched quality and unsurpassed prices. If you're looking for something specific, like a Middle Eastern or Greek dish, a supermarket might be the place to go for feta. For that special occasion, you might indulge in a cheese specialty shop, where you can find luxurious and pricey options like truffled brie or sheep’s milk blue cheese.

Personal Favorite Cheese Collection

As someone who eagerly fills their fridge with an abundance of cheese, my own collection might not look very impressive due to my age—seven! However, let's compare my fridge with a typical adult's collection:

Cheddar Cheese Varieties

Cheddar: A classic, versatile cheese that can be used for everything from sandwiches to pasta. Gouda: A smooth and creamy cheese with a sweet taste. Lancashire: A mild, creamy cheese that melts well. Double Gloucester: A strong, salty cheese with a crumbly texture. No Wensleydale: One to miss out on, but there’s always next time!

Expanding Your Cheese Variety

Experimenting with different types of cheese can be exciting. Here’s a breakdown of the cheeses in my ‘ingredients’ fridge and the ‘eating’ fridge:

Ingredients Fridge

The ingredients fridge is where the cheeses are used in different recipes. Here’s a look at some of the cheeses stored here:

Castello Tickler Cheddar: Perfect for quick meals like butties and pasta dishes. Cathedral City Mature Cheddar: A step up from the Tickler for more complex dishes. Parigiano Reggiano: Essential for pasta sauces and grating on dishes. Pecorino Romano: A fantastic addition to pesto and tomato sandwiches. Philadephia Cream Cheese: Ideal for patés, quiches, and sandwiches. Gruyère: Best for courgette tian and in French onion soup. Grated Mozzarella: Perfect for making pizza and pitolard. Red Leicester: Great for omelettes. St Agur: Ideal for a quick, creamy pasta sauce.

Eating Fridge

The eating fridge is where the cheeses are enjoyed as they are. Here’s a selection of some of the best cheeses:

Brie: Untempered perfection for those looking for a creamy, spreadable cheese. Grand Noir Blue: A robust, pungent blue cheese. Stilton: Crumbled over celery or in a soup, it’s a classic British cheese. Wensleydale: A milder cheese, typically a Christmas treat. Camembert: A creamy, uncooked cheese that melts in your mouth. époisses: A highly prized French cheese known for its creaminess.

Storage Tips for Your Fridge Cheese

Storing cheese properly can help maintain its flavor and texture. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:

Cheddar Storage

Cheddar, whether sharp or mild, can be kept in the fridge for several weeks if properly wrapped. Block cheese and grated varieties can be kept together, but make sure to tightly seal them to prevent them from drying out.

Soft Cheeses

Soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert should be wrapped well and kept in the coldest part of the fridge. It’s important to use them within a week of purchase.

Blue Cheeses

Blue cheeses like Stilton or Grand Noir should be stored in their original packaging or airtight wrap. They should also be kept in the cooler part of the fridge to maintain their freshness and flavor.

Regularly rotating your cheese stash will ensure that you use the oldest cheese first to avoid waste.

Conclusion

Your fridge doesn’t need to be a boring place. With the right selection of cheeses, you can create a vibrant and flavorful collection that enhances your culinary experiences. So, why not experiment with different types, store them correctly, and enjoy a variety of delicious flavors each day?