There's a Right Way to Store Your Cheese—Here's How

Your party's over, and now it's time to put away the leftover finger foods–including several cubes on your cheese platter. Learn how to store your cheese in the fridge the right way, and it will last—and taste better—until you've eaten every last morsel.

This guide details how to properly wrap and store different varieties of cheese. From this moment on, give your precious cheese the care it deserves, whether you're eating Gouda, lactose-free cheese, or the healthiest cheese in your refrigerator.

Storage Tips

• A resealable plastic bag will do the job, but it's not the ideal storage solution for your cheese. The best way to wrap leftovers depends on the particular type; see the list of kinds of cheeses below for specifics.
• Store all types of cheese in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator, where the temperature is cold and stable.
• Use a fresh piece of plastic wrap or wax paper to rewrap cheese after each use.
• The length of time you can keep cheese differs by variety; in general, the harder the cheese, the longer it will last.

How to Store Cheese (by Variety)

Hard, aged cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged Gouda): First wrap in wax or parchment paper, then add a layer of plastic wrap.

Blue cheeses (Gorgonzola, Roquefort): Wrap in plastic wrap.

Semi-hard and hard cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss, Gruyere): Wrap in plastic wrap.

Soft, semi-soft, and stinky cheeses (goat, Camembert, Brie, Limburger): Place in a resealable plastic container.

Fresh cheeses in water (mozzarella or Feta): Leave the cheese in the original packaging, changing the water every couple of days.