In this brief guide, we will answer the question "How to keep parmesan cheese from molding?", discuss how long parmesan cheese lasts, and how to store parmesan cheese.

How to keep parmesan cheese from molding?

There are 5 ways to keep parmesan cheese from molding which include:

  1. Tightly wrap it in a plastic bag

If you want to keep the parmesan cheese fresh and mold-free, try to wrap it tightly in a plastic bag. Wrapping it with a plastic bag will prevent the cheese from getting dry and turning moldy. The air vacuum in the bag will not allow any fungal contamination to occur and so you can keep the cheese for a long time.

  1. Shred and freeze

If you have purchased a large piece of cheese and now you want to keep it, you can shred and freeze it. Shredding and freezing will help you to keep the mold away and save your money. To avoid sticking in the shredded cheese, you can add some cornstarch to the cheese. Transfer this cheese to a ziplock bag and freeze it.

  1. Avoid touching the cheese

Touching the cheese with bare hands will also encourage the molds to grow on it. So while dealing with the cheese, try to use a piece of plastic wrap instead of bare hands.

  1. Add sugar or vinegar

Adding lumps of sugar to the cheese container will also help in keeping it from the mold. Sugar absorbs the moisture from the container, thereby inhibiting the molds to grow.

You can also moisten a paper towel with vinegar and keep it inside the cheese container. The acidic nature of vinegar helps to kill many mold species.

  1. Butter the cheese

Before transferring cheese to an airtight container, butter it from the ends and wrap it tightly in a plastic bag. This will slow down the molding process.

How to get rid of parmesan cheese molding?

If you have not stored your cheese wedge properly, or if it is placed in an area that is quite humid and contains moisture, then nothing can stop mold from growing on the cheese. So, if due to any reason, mold grows on your parmesan cheese wedge, you can get rid of it by following ways:

  • Mold on a parmesan cheese wedge

Luckily, parmesan is a hard cheese. So if mold forms on the wedge, it will not be able to penetrate through the surface to the inside. All you need to do then is to remove that molded part of the cheese wedge with a knife and yes, your remaining cheese is ready to be used or stored in a good way.

  • Mold on powdered, grated, or shredded parmesan cheese

In case the mold is formed on powdered, grated, or shredded cheese, then it will be completely a different story. Now, you can not remove the molded area scoop, all you have to do is to through away the whole cheese.

Other FAQs about Parmesan which you may be interested in.

Can you melt parmesan cheese?

Does parmesan cheese go bad?

How long is grated parmesan cheese good for after opened?

How long does parmesan cheese last?

Parmesan is hard and long-lasting cheese, so it should remain okay to use even after some weeks post best-by date. The estimated time frame for an unopened parmesan cheese is 7-9 months. But once opened, you can use the cheese within 5-7 days for best quality, and maybe up to 7 days for an okay quality.

Once you opened the parmesan cheese, it should retain good quality for 1-2 months and should keep its freshness intact for up to 6 months as it preserves well.

The grated parmesan cheese is sold refrigerated, and since the product is shredded so it degrades faster. Thus, you can use such cheese for about one week post best-by date. Some grated unrefrigerated cheese canisters are also available that last for about 1 year, and also a month even after their best-by date. Such type of cheese is dehydrated so the chances of any bacterial or fungal growth are reduced to the minimum.

For a quick review of how long does the parmesan cheese lasts, you can go through the following table:

Sr.# PRODUCT   STORED IN FRIDGE
1. Parmesan (opened) 1-2 months
2. Parmesan (unopened) Best-by + 1 month
3. Grated parmesan (refrigerated, opened) 3-7 days
4. Grated parmesan (refrigerated, unopened) Best-by + 7 days
5. Grated parmesan (unrefrigerated, opened) 4-6 months
6. Grated parmesan (unrefrigerated, unopened) Best-by+ 1 month

How to store parmesan cheese?

If you bought a wedge of parmesan cheese, storing it improperly will ruin it. You can follow these simple steps to store your parmesan cheese wedge properly:

  • First of all, wrap the cheese wedge in wax paper. Wax paper will help the cheese preserve its humidity and prevent it from drying out.
  • After this, cover it completely in a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. The purpose is to protect the cheese while allowing it to breathe.
  • Now place it at the bottom of the fridge, away from the other foods, to prevent it from absorbing their odors. The ideal storage temperature is between 39-46 Fahrenheit.

Conclusion:

In this brief guide, we answered the question "how to keep parmesan cheese from molding?", discussed how long parmesan cheese lasts, and how to store parmesan cheese.

References:

  • How to Prevent Cheese from Getting Moldy | The Dollar Stretcher
  • How to Store Parmesan Cheese In All Its Forms – Kitchen At The Store
  • Does Parmesan Cheese Go Bad? – Does It Go Bad?
  • Learn How To Store Parmesan Cheese Properly | finedininglovers.com

Hi, I am Charlotte, I love cooking and in my previous life, I was a chef. I bring some of my experience to the recipes on this hub and answer your food questions.