How long will freshly grated parm. cheese last?

Question

I just got one of those parm. cheese dispensers for one of our wedding gifts, and if I shred the cheese myself (in the food processor) how long should it last in a cheese dispenser with no cover (it's one of those one's that are used in pizza restaurants if you know what I mean).

I just don't want to fill it and find that the cheese goes back in a few days!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi !!!
Here is what I found...

When it comes to the best way to store Parmesan, that depends on how you will be using it and how often you will be needing it.

In general, the best place to store shredded or grated hard cheese (such as Parmesan, Asiago, Gruyere, Jarlsberg or Swiss) is in your freezer, not the refrigerator. The California Milk Advisory Board suggests wrapping the cheese tightly in an air-tight, moisture-proof wrapper to prevent evaporation, then to freeze it quickly at 0 degrees F or below. You can keep it in your freezer for up to three months! Let the frozen cheese thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours and then serve as soon as possible.

If you would prefer to store the Parmesan cheese in your refrigerator because you plan to use it often, keep it wrapped loosely or in a plastic container. The cheese needs to "breathe," and if you wrap it tightly, you may cause the oil to separate out or the cheese to get moldy. And, very importantly, store it in the warmest areas of your refrigerator -- which usually means the door or the bottom of the vegetable drawers (crisper).
Finally, even if the cheese does get some mold, all is not lost. In most cases, you can trim off the mold and another 1/2 inch below the moldy portion and use the remainder of the cheese.

Answer 2

I wouldn't have thought it would make much difference; I've been using that green container grated Parmesan for decades, but my wife got a solid block Parmesan on sale. Wow!

Best: keep it in the block until you're ready to eat it, and rasp it directly onto the food.

Better: shred it up, and keep the shaker in the fridge in a zipper bag. It will last months.

OK: shred it up, and keep the shaker at room temperature. If your house has low humidity, it will last for months.

Marginal: buy it already shredded in the green cylinder.

Answer 3

I find that it goes bad fairly fast. Best to just grate it as you need it, in my opinion. Really gross to shake it into your food and then come to a chunk of blue mold, and then you've ruined your dish.