How to properly store raw milk goat cheese?

Raw goat's milk cheese is a true gastronomic treasure, appreciated for its melting texture and unique taste, which evolves with maturation. However, its richness in flavors and nutritional qualities depend largely on its conservation. Improper conservation can alter its taste, texture and accelerate its aging inappropriately.

Whether you prefer a fresh and creamy cheese or a more mature cheese with developed aromas, it is essential to know the best practices to preserve all its qualities. Find out how to store your raw milk goat cheese optimally in order to fully enjoy it.

Good conservation practices

• Temperature and environment : Ideally, store it in a cool place (8 to 12°C), such as a cellar or the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.
• Suitable packaging : Use greaseproof paper or a perforated airtight container rather than plastic packaging, to allow the cheese to breathe.
• Optimal consumption : Take it out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before tasting to fully reveal its aromas.
• Homemade refining : Some goat cheeses can evolve over time. You can adjust their ripening by keeping them for a longer or shorter time according to your preferences.

Mistakes to avoid

• Never wrap cheese in plastic : This prevents proper air circulation and can cause excess humidity, promoting the growth of unwanted mold.
• Avoid temperature variations : Goat cheese exposed to sudden temperature changes can lose texture and taste.
• Do not store next to strongly smelling foods. : Raw goat's milk cheese tends to absorb surrounding odors, which can alter its original taste.

The impact of conservation on ripening

A goat cheese can be eaten at different stages of ripening, depending on preferences:

• Cream cheese (less than 10 days): Soft and creamy, it keeps well in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
• Semi-mature cheese (2 to 4 weeks): It begins to develop a more pronounced crust and more intense flavors.
• Matured cheese (more than 4 weeks): Drier, it can be kept longer in a cool, slightly humid environment, such as a cheese cellar.

Can you freeze raw milk goat cheese?

Although it is not recommended to preserve its original texture, it is possible to freeze raw milk goat cheese. To do this:

• Vacuum pack it or wrap it tightly in cling film.
• Thaw it slowly in the refrigerator for several hours before tasting.
• Preferably use it in cooking (pies, gratins) after defrosting, as its texture may be slightly altered.

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