can cheese be frozen? what if its pre shredded? any effects to watch for?

Answer 1

Freezing cheese will not make it inedible, however, it may change the taste or texture, depending on what kind of cheese it is and how long you've frozen it for. Typically, hard and semi-hard cheeses freeze better than softer ones and shredded cheese freezes better than blocks.

When freezing cheese, be sure to seal it in an airtight container and use it before the moisture in the cheese starts to crystalise on the container. Usually, you shouldn't freeze cheese for a long time, since the longer you freeze it, the more the taste and texture are affected.

However, most cheeses have a decent shelf life if they haven't been opened yet. It will stay good in your refrigerator until the expiration date on the package.

Answer 2

i have had luck and misfortune in the past in freezing cheese. it all depends on what KIND of cheese u are freezing...

sliced american cheese freezes fine, its the thawing that is bad- it falls apart when you try to remove it from the wrapper- even when fully thawed!

all types of shredded cheeses freeze and thaw fine

block cheeses, like cheddar, etc... you should cut them into cubes or shred before freezing them, because once they thaw, you can not cut or shred them without having serious crumble problems

parmesean and swiss both freeze well, because they have a low moisture content, i think

your more wet cheeses (like whole mozzerella and ricotta) should only be placed into the freezer for a short time - no longer than a month, otherwise they start to lose their flavor

cream cheese freezes and thaws well

cottage cheese does NOT freeze and thaw well at all... it seperates when thawed and tastes nasty!

i think the only one that i have really left out is velveeta spread... because it never lasts long enough to NEED frozen at my house... its gone within a week every time!

susan

Answer 3

Of course you can! I do it all the time. But only shredded cheese, not blocks or slices. Or if you buy blocks, just shred them first (Goddess bless the KitchenAid shredder attachment!).
They have to be firmer cheeses though. Not like feta or brie.

I have cheddar, manchego, Jack, pepper Jack, Swiss, mozz, Parm, Asiago, and romano in my freezer.

Put them in a ziplock and squish the air out. They'll lay flat and won't get air to them. In all honesty, I've never seen freeer burn on them or mold.

Answer 4

Go ahead and freeze it. It will, after a few months start to ''freeze dry''. In other words, the moisture will leave the cheese and cling to the wrapper as ice chrystals. A few more hints, if you freezer is self defrosting keep it as far away from the interior air discharge as possible. Self defrosters send out heated air every 12 hours and can damage the delicate shreds.If you can, remove as much air from the bag as possible as freeze drying require air to be present as a transfer medium.

Answer 5

I have froze cheese before when I realized I had too much. It seemed to be just fine. Well actually it was cheddar cheese and it was more crumbly after I froze it but it still worked out fine for me.

Answer 6

Of course. Look in the frozen pizza section of your grocery store. But why would you want to? It's not necessary.

Answer 7

I freeze it.... I use my food sucker thing and make sure there is no air left in it. I don't think you have to do that though... just but the package in a freezer bag. I have never seen any effects.

Answer 8

I know if you freeze mozzarella cheese, then you try to shred it, it breaks apart in little chunks. Very messy!

Answer 9

Anything can be frozen. Dip something into Liquid Nitrogen and you'll have something... frozen :)

Answer 10

YES as long as it is frozen in freezer bags