Cheese Care & Storage
Simple guidance for receiving, refrigerating, wrapping, serving and enjoying Wisconsin cheese at its best.
When Your Cheese Arrives
1. Bring the package inside promptly.
Do not leave cheese in direct sun, a hot vehicle or an outdoor delivery area.
2. Open and inspect the shipment.
Check the package and follow any product-specific instructions included with your order.
3. Refrigerate the cheese.
Even when a firm cheese arrives warmer than refrigerator temperature, place it in the refrigerator so its quality and texture can recover.
4. Contact us if anything seems wrong.
Keep the packaging and take clear photographs when reporting a delivery concern.
Storage Guidance by Cheese Style
Moisture, age and rind all affect how cheese should be handled. Product-specific directions always take priority.
Fresh and high-moisture cheeses
Fresh and very soft cheeses are the most perishable. Keep them consistently refrigerated, tightly covered and separated from foods with strong odors. Follow the use-by guidance on the product and do not leave them at room temperature longer than necessary for serving.
Soft-ripened and washed-rind cheeses
Keep these cheeses refrigerated in their original wrap or in suitable cheese paper. Because aromas can be pronounced, place the wrapped cheese in a container with some breathing room. Bring only the amount you plan to serve to room temperature.
Blue and semi-soft cheeses
Refrigerate blue and semi-soft cheese and keep it well wrapped to protect moisture and prevent flavors from transferring to nearby foods. Use a clean knife each time you cut the cheese.
Firm, hard and aged cheeses
Firm aged cheeses generally tolerate travel and brief temperature changes better than fresh cheese, but refrigeration remains the best choice for preserving flavor, texture and shelf life after delivery.
Wrap Cheese to Protect Flavor
After opening, rewrap cheese so the cut surface is protected without trapping excessive moisture. Cheese paper or parchment with a loose outer layer works well for many styles. If using plastic wrap, replace it when it becomes wet or loose.
Store cheese in a stable part of the refrigerator—not against a freezing vent—and keep strongly aromatic cheeses separated. Label opened packages with the date so you can monitor freshness.
Warm on Arrival Does Not Always Mean Spoiled
Cheese styles respond differently to time and temperature. The lower moisture, acidity, salt and aging of many firm cheeses can make them more resilient during transportation than fresh dairy products. That does not mean every cheese is shelf-stable or should be stored warm.
Refrigerate the shipment after delivery and evaluate the cheese using its product instructions, packaging condition, appearance and aroma. When you are uncertain—especially with fresh or soft cheese—contact us before eating it.
Why Cheese Handles Temperature Differently
Cheese is a fermented food, and its behavior depends on several factors working together: moisture, acidity, salt, active cultures, heat treatment and aging. Research reviewed by the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research found that many properly manufactured hard and semi-hard cheeses do not support pathogen growth in the same way high-moisture foods can.
The research is cheese-specific. Fresh, soft and high-moisture cheeses require more careful temperature control, while firm aged cheeses are generally more tolerant of short shipping exposures. Refrigeration is still recommended at home to preserve quality.
Cheese Care Questions
Quick answers for common storage, serving and delivery concerns.
My cheese arrived warm. What should I do?
Bring it inside, inspect the package and refrigerate it promptly. A firm aged cheese being warm to the touch does not automatically indicate spoilage. If the packaging is damaged, the cheese has an unexpected appearance or odor, or you remain concerned, contact our Shipping Department before consuming it.
Should I freeze cheese?
Freezing can change texture, especially in softer cheese. It may be acceptable for firm cheese that will later be cooked or grated, but refrigeration is generally better for cheese you plan to serve as-is.
How long should cheese sit out before serving?
Many cheeses show more aroma and flavor when they lose their refrigerator chill. Remove only the portion you plan to serve and return unused cheese to refrigeration promptly. Fresh and soft cheeses need more careful time control than firm aged styles.
Is surface mold always a reason to discard cheese?
Some cheeses are intentionally made with edible mold or rind. Unexpected mold should be handled differently depending on the cheese style. Do not simply trim mold from fresh, shredded, sliced or soft cheese; when uncertain, discard the product or contact us for guidance.
Who should I contact about a shipped order?
Call the Wisconsin Cheese Masters Shipping Department at (920) 363-2995. Have your order number, delivery date and photographs available when reporting a concern.
Questions About Your Cheese?
Tell us the cheese name, when it arrived and what you noticed. Our team will help you with storage, serving or shipping concerns.