We've got some Heluva Good!® tips for storing and using our Cheeses.

Cheese Cooking and Usage Ideas:  

Cheese Cooking Tips:
• Chill cheese in the freezer for easy grating and shredding. Chill hard cheeses for 30 minutes and soft cheeses for 15 to 20 minutes or until firm.
• If you want to crumble hard cheese, freeze it completely.
• For best results, measure cheese for your recipes by weight. General rule is 4 ounces of cheese equals one cup of shredded cheese. When your recipe calls for two cups of shredded cheese, our 8-ounce block cheeses will be just the right amount.
• Similar types of cheese can be used interchangeably in recipes to give you the flavor you enjoy the most. For instance, when a recipe calls for Sharp Cheddar, you can use Colby-Jack or Mild Cheddar for a lighter flavor. For a bolder flavor, use Extra Sharp Cheddar or Monterey Jack with Jalapeño for an extra kick.
• To save cooking time, shred or cube cheese before adding it to your recipe.
• To prevent cheeses such as Swiss and Mozzarella from becoming stringy during cooking, add a little wine or lemon juice before melting them.
• To avoid lumpy cheese sauce, add a little flour or cornstarch at the start of the recipe (before adding the cheese).
• Avoid using high heat when cooking with cheese; it tends to make the cheese stringy and tough. Use a low temperature for a shorter period of time.

Cheese Storage Tips:
• Cheese should be individually wrapped in plastic wrap for storage.
• Cheese is best stored in the refrigerator as close to the bottom of the appliance as possible – the vegetable compartment is ideal.
• Shredded cheeses are more susceptible to mold and are best when used within three to five days after opening.
• Hard cheese will keep in the freezer, tightly wrapped, for two to three months.
• Thaw cheese slowly in the refrigerator.
• Do not freeze soft cheese; freezing will affect the texture of the cheese.