If you are like many and wondering if it's safe to freeze cheese, this guide will explain the best practices for that process. Not all cheeses freeze well, but with the proper procedure nearly any cheese can safely be frozen and used later. This guide explains how to freeze cheese including how to freeze, defrost and use all types of cheeses.

As food prices continue to rise, many look for ways to save money on their grocery bills by purchasing items in bulk and freezing them until they are needed. Just like meat, purchasing cheese in large quantities can save a great deal of money. For instance, purchasing a large block of cheese, freezing what you don't need, then shredding and using the remaining portion later can save money compared to purchasing a packet of pre-shredded cheese.

It's important to know which cheeses freeze well and the proper process for freezing and thawing then using cheese. Hard cheeses freeze the best, while soft cheeses, such as cream cheese and ricotta, may suffer considerably in texture and taste. Similarly, after freezing cheese, the shelf life, or time it can sit in a refrigerator, will be reduced almost in half. However freezing cheese can extend its total life by several months, allowing it to be used in numerous recipes much longer than leaving it be.

Softer and cream cheeses, like ricotta, cottage cheese and cream cheese, are slightly more tricky to freeze than hard or semi-hard cheeses, with some even recommending that softer cheeses never be frozen.http://lancaster.unl.edu/food/ciqo.shtml It's safe to freeze softer cheeses, however the texture will suffer considerably, making the cheese grainy. If you are baking the cheese however, you should not notice much of a difference.http://tipnut.com/freeze-cheese/

1. If possible, leave the cheese in it's original, unopened packaging when freezing. Larger portions can be divided up based on what will be used at any given time.
2. Each portion should be placed in an air-tight container, removing as much of the air, or filling the container, as much as possible.http://www.momsbudget.com/freezercooking/freezecheese.html
3. Label each container with the type of cheese inside as well as the date it was frozen.
4. Place the portions in the freezer and leave it there from one to three months.
5. When ready to use, remove the cheese from the freezer and place in the refrigerator. Allow it to defrost for 24 hours or longer, stirring it occasionally.
6. If liquid appears on the surface of the cheese, do not discard it, rather stir it back into the cheese. This will help return the cheese to the original consistency.
7. Once it's defrosted, use the soft or cream cheeses within three or four days. Anything left in the refrigerator after four days should be discarded.http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21851078.tip.html

While nearly any cheese can be frozen, hard cheeses far much better than soft cheeses. Each cheese will suffer slightly when freezing, including in texture and sometimes taste, so knowing the pros and cons of freezing cheese will allow you to make the best decision as to if it's a good idea for you.

Benefits of Freezing Cheese

1. By purchasing a large block of cheese, the price per pound or ounce will likely be significantly less, especially if it's purchased on sale. By purchasing a large amount and freezing it, you can save money compared to purchasing smaller quantities.
2. For those living in remote locations, often exotic varieties of cheeses will be available only at limited times. By purchasing a large quantity of the cheese and freezing it until needed, they can enjoy the cheese around the year.
3. Frozen cheese can be held for up to six months before use, extending its life considerably.http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21851078.tip.html

Downfalls of Freezing Cheese

1. Each cheese will lose a bit of texture after its frozen and defrosted. You may not see that much of a change if the cheese is being cooked or baked, but frozen cheese is not a great choice for eating alone, such as in cheese and crackers.
2. Soft cheeses, like cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and cream cheese, will lose much of its texture during the freezing process and can become grainy.
3. The shelf life of the thawed cheese will be reduced to about half the original time. Usually frozen and thawed cheeses should be used within one week after it's defrosted.http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21851078.tip.html

Hard and semi-hard cheeses freeze perhaps the best, with a minimum of texture loss when they are defrosted to use. These include cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, swiss, provolone and muenster, among others.http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21851078.tip.html

1. Blocks of cheese can be cut into portions, sliced or shredded before freezing. Large blocks can be frozen as-is, but will need to be defrosted and used as one portion later.http://tipnut.com/freeze-cheese/
2. Blocks or slices should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or wax paper. Shredded portions, blocks and slices should also be placed in an air-tight container or zipper freezer bag as well. If possible, leaving the cheese in its original, unopened packaging is recommended.
3. Before freezing, write the date of freezing on the package. This is important when freezing multiple portions at different times to know how long each can safely stay in the freezer. Typically this is about six months, with best quality remaining in the first month.
4. When you are ready to use the cheese, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator to defrost. Thawing the cheese may take 24 hours or more, so plan ahead. Do not defrost the cheese on a countertop or microwave.http://tipnut.com/freeze-cheese/
5. If desired, grate the cheese while still frozen. This works well for harder cheeses like Parmesan and Romano.
6. Once the cheese is thawed, use it as soon as possible. Generally after one week in the refrigerator the cheese should be used or discarded.http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21851078.tip.html