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Be careful with cheeses

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Handled incorrectly, it not only loses its aroma, flavor and textures, it can make you sick!

storage

Cheeses generally do not have much danger of contamination, but handled incorrectly not only loses the aroma, flavor and exquisite textures that it may have; It can also cause stomach upset from decomposition.

Many cheeses, to begin with, are fermented from bacteria, which means that they have living organisms that work in favor of their cure, and they are the ones that give them the flavor that we like so much of a blue cheese, or a roquefort, but If you don't store and handle it correctly, those same bacteria, far from being beneficial, can work against you.

 

Here are some practical tips for handling cheeses

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After purchase, keep the cheeses stored in their original wraps, these maintain the freshness of the same and its humidity.

Once you open it, place it in an airtight container, tightly closed to prevent it from drying out.

Try to buy cheeses that say they have been pasteurized, this gives you a certain guarantee of safety and durability in the fridge.

There are cheeses in which, if a small layer of mold appears, you can remove them carefully with a knife. However there are cheeses where you cannot do this, such as cottage.

Don't leave cheeses like ricotta or cottage out of the fridge for more than two hours.

Cured cheeses that are hard in texture can be hermetically wrapped in plastic and frozen for long periods of time, however when thawing their texture varies, so we recommend using them to cook recipes, and not to taste them, if you are a lover. of a good cheese with red wine and bread.

From a nutritional point of view. If you worry about the fat level of the cheeses. Their yellow color is a clear sign of their high content. While white cheeses are low in fat, which is why they are constantly recommended in low-fat diets.

In some countries food administrations have recommended that soft cheeses, which are more susceptible to bacterial contamination, not be consumed by pregnant people, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems.

There are cheeses that by their very nature have a very strong smell and contain fungi as part of their maturation process, such as blue cheese or Roquefort cheese; so in these cases the smell or the presence of fungi is not a sign of its state of decomposition. However, others, by their very nature, must neither smell nor have any trace of fungus or mold. For what they do have, it is preferable to have them and avoid intoxication or stomach upset.

Always remember read labels of the products. Cheese makers generally identify the best consumption date depending on the type you purchased.

It almost goes without saying that if you are lactose intolerantNot only do not eat it, but if you prepare dishes with cheese, ask your friends if they have this condition, because their reactions are almost immediate and very unpleasant for them.

Frequently asked questions from our readers:

You should be careful with soft, unpasteurized cheeses, such as blue cheese, fresh goat cheese, and brie cheese, as they may contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria, which can cause serious illness, especially in pregnant women, older people, and those with weakened immune systems. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/tips/cuidado-con-lo-quesos
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Last modified: March 21, 2024