One of the most common questions we get here at Formaticum is, "how long will my cheese last?" and we're here to answer that question for you! The answer is….there is no one right answer. Cheese is a living, breathing product, and a gastronomic miracle, and there are a variety of factors that affect a cheese's shelf life. Keep reading to learn more about how to store your cheese in the fridge to keep it in peak condition as long as possible. 

1. When purchasing cheese, choose pieces that were cut as recently as possible. Having a cheesemonger cut a piece for you fresh from the wheel is the best option, but if you don't have access to a cut-to-order cheese counter, pay attention to the pack date and Best By dates on the cheese at your grocery store. Look for pieces that were cut in the last few days, or that have a Best By date of 2-4 weeks from the day you are shopping. 

2. Store your cheese in material designed to keep cheese fresh. Formaticum cheese storage bags and paper are specially designed by European cheese paper companies and are used in many of the world's best cheese shops. While plastic wrap suffocates your cheese and imparts off flavors, Formaticum cheese storage products allow your cheese to breathe and prevent it from drying out, which means your cheese will be in peak condition longer! If you buy cheese wrapped in plastic, transfer it to a Formaticum bag or sheet as soon as possible before placing it in the fridge. Remember to gently scrape the face of the cheese with a knife before placing it in the bag or paper, in order to remove any plastic flavor or excess moisture/butterfat that may cause the cheese to deteriorate more quickly. 

3. Dedicate a section of your fridge to just cheese. We recommend storing your cheese in a drawer or other area of your fridge where it will not be as susceptible to temperature fluctuations from opening and closing the door, and it will not pick up any aromas or flavors from other items in your fridge. And make sure that your fridge is not too cold - frozen cheese, when thawed, develops an unpleasant texture. 

4. Buy less cheese, more often. Cheese is not an immortal product and the quality will inevitably deteriorate over time. Cheese was meant to be eaten, not to sit in your fridge for months! The best way to ensure that your cheese will taste as fresh as possible, every time, is to buy fresh pieces as often as possible. There is a reason our bags were designed to be the size they are! We recommend accounting for 1-2oz per cheese, per adult, when buying cheese. Of course, you can always adjust as needed. 

We know that good cheese can be expensive, so we want to help you protect your investment! Use these tips to help save your cheese, and honor the hard work of the makers. 

New Year's Eve is almost here, and cheese lovers everywhere are planning their cheese and charcuterie party platters to usher in another year of food, fun, and friendship. Here are some cheesemonger-approved tips for creating an impressive and unique platter that will wow your guests. 

When creating your platter, it's important to choose a variety of cheese styles, textures, and milk types to accommodate all palates and preferences. Triple cream cheeses like Delice de Bourgogne or Brillat-Savarin are a classic NYE pairing with bubbles like Champagne and Prosecco, because the effervescence of the wine cuts through the high butterfat content of the cheese and lifts the flavor on the palate. Alpine cheeses like Gruyere and Beaufort are iconic seasonal cheeses with complex onion and floral flavors that will transport you to the Swiss mountaintops where the cows graze on lush alpine pastures to create the rich, flavorful milk for these cheeses. Aged chèvre is always a hit, and don't forget the farmhouse Manchego or crystalline goat Gouda!

Use Formaticum Mini Cheese Knives to cut each cheese into bite-sized pieces to make it easy for guests to enjoy, using our Cut Guide video as a reference. Don't forget to use all edible elements, including garnish, and include things like candied nuts, dried fruits, sliced charcuterie, and local honey. When choosing pairings, consider the "what grows together goes together" rule. Products that come from the same country or region will likely be a great pairing. 

It's also important to follow cheese platter etiquette to make sure everyone can enjoy the spread! If you don't like the Brie rind, we recommend cut a complete piece of Brie off the platter and separate the rind on your own plate, instead of scooping the paste out of the rind on the platter.  

And don't forget to store leftover cheese in Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags to keep it fresh until it's time to make your next platter!

Most importantly, have fun and get creative. Cheers to a delicious and festive New Year's Eve!

Cheese lovers, rejoice! If you've got gift-wrapping burnout and the thought of wrapping cheese is exhausting, we have great news for you. You can now have all the storage benefits of professional cheese paper at home without having to learn the complex wrapping techniques that cheesemongers have mastered.

Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags are made of the same material as our professional cheese paper, and provide the same benefits with none of the stress. Simply put your cheese in the bag, fold the top under the cheese to keep it closed, place in the fridge, and enjoy fresh cheese flavor for weeks after purchase. Cheese Storage Bags allow your cheese to breathe while maintaining optimal humidity, so your cheese stays fresh and flavorful. These bags are a great gift idea for cheese lovers who want to enjoy their favorite cheeses without having to worry about wasting leftovers.

Whether you’re a cheese connoisseur or just a casual cheese lover, Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags are a must-have in your kitchen. Available in Classic, compostable Zero, and Reusable versions, there's a bag out there for everyone!