Soft cheese varieties include fontina, brick, washed and dry rind, Limburger, Havarti, muenster, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack. These cheeses are made using whole milk and cream might also be added to it. Skimmed milk is never used for making these products. This makes them creamy and soft textured and they have an amazing melting ability. These semi soft cheese can either be washed rind or dry rind. The first is also called surface-ripened and is treated on the surface using bacterial sear and then washed using a solution that causes the growth of smear. In the latter, there is no curing done using a surface treatment.
The product can be used in multiple ways such as cubed, shredded, or sliced. They melt easily using microwave appliances. They can be browned or broiled too. They are ideal for casseroles, soups, sauces, and roulades. They blend well with other cheeses to be used with pizzas. These products come with a lot of flavor options from herbs to hot peppers, and spices. For sandwiches, this cheese can be sliced too. It is loved by children of all ages and has buttery and mild gourmet appeal. These products are also available in the form of ready-to-use slices and cubes that can be used in a variety of recipes.
Shredded cheese is made when it is processed through a shredder. It is an important ingredient used as a topping in many fast foods. It comes in numerous varieties such as Swiss, Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Cheddar as well as in blended forms. There are numerous options in low-fat variety too, they can be fine or regular shredded. The product should be kept packaged in the refrigerator only. After the package is opened, it should be stored in airtight or resealable bags or containers. If it is properly stored then it can be stored for 5 to 7 days after opening even if the expiry date is farther.
It is not recommended to store these dairy products at room temperature between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This can lead to bacterial growth within 2 hours. To store the product for a longer duration, it should be kept in the freezer. It can be stored for 8 months if packaged properly in a good quality freezer bag. This is recommended for high-quality cheddar cheese only. If the cheese is spoilt then it will have a bad smell and there will be a change in its appearance or flavor. In some cases, even mold may appear. Choose the best quality cheese for your favorite recipe and experience a cheesy burst. Also, you can impress your loved ones by making new recipes each day.