freezing cheese

[AFWife]

So, this little market has those 8oz blocks of cheese on sale for a wicked price (yes I still say wicked) 3 for $2. We won't eat that much cheese fast enough. Since they'll be sealed can I just freeze them as is and use them? Everything I read goes into these extensive storing procedures and most say you HAVE TO grate it because you'll never be able to just eat it straight again (something about it changing)

[Alyantavid]

The only problem I've had with frozen cheese, is that it crumbles. You can grate it and put it in things just fine, but slicing it is kind of messy.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

Originally Posted by Alyantavid

The only problem I've had with frozen cheese, is that it crumbles. You can grate it and put it in things just fine, but slicing it is kind of messy.

Same here. I tend to only use my cheese grated anyway though, so it doesn't bother me if it crumbles.

Last time I bought cheese in bulk I just got out my food processor and grated it all and froze it in ziplock freezer bags just to make my life easier when I needed to use it.

[AFWife]

The taste is fine, thought?

I ask because I was craving cheese last night and eating it straight from the block...so if it ruins because I froze it I'd be sad I bought a bunch.

[HappyMommy2]

Freezing changes the texture. I still like it. My husband doesn't. BUT - those little unopened packages will last a long time in the fridge too.

If you keep the fridge stuff for sandwiches/tacos, and use the frozen stuff for baking in casseroles, etc. it should be fine.

Wish i could find a sale like that!!

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by HappyMommy2

Freezing changes the texture. I still like it. My husband doesn't. BUT - those little unopened packages will last a long time in the fridge too.

If you keep the fridge stuff for sandwiches/tacos, and use the frozen stuff for baking in casseroles, etc. it should be fine.

Wish i could find a sale like that!!

Hmm...and if it's hard cheese I could just freeze one and keep the others in the fridge and then cut off the parts that might get molded right?

lol I wouldn't have known if it wasn't for the circular thingy we got in the mail. After reading the "Poor Girl Eats Well" blog I told DH to stop throwing it away.

[Arduinna]

What is the use by date on the cheese? Most of the cheese I buy has a use by date at least 6 months away. Personally I'd just store it refridgerated because freezing does change the texture.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by Arduinna

What is the use by date on the cheese? Most of the cheese I buy has a use by date at least 6 months away. Personally I'd just store it refridgerated because freezing does change the texture.

I haven't purchased it yet so I don't know...

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by AFWife

Hmm...and if it's hard cheese I could just freeze one and keep the others in the fridge and then cut off the parts that might get molded right?

I am sort of weird about older food but I totally would just cut off the moldy parts and eat the cheese. For some reason, mold on cheese or bread doesn't bother me because I feel like I can cut away enough of the ick.

Cheese keeps a long, long time in the fridge. My dad often buys expired (or nearly expired) cheese from a fantastic deli and gives it to us. I have no problem keeping it in the fridge for weeks and sometimes months after the expiration date.

Think about it, a lot of cheese is aged months and sometimes years before it is sold so what is a couple of weeks or months in the fridge?

My dad freezes cheese all the time, softer cheeses like brie, triple-creams, saga, etc. He doesn't mind any texture changes but he will pretty much eat anything.

I have been freezing shredded cheese for years.