Cheese will last longer if you swap plastic wrapper for something else

One staple item that most people have in their fridge is cheese. After all, it's a tasty ingredient that can be used to spruce up all sorts of dishes - from sandwiches to salads to pizzas; however, while we may enjoy eating the food, keeping it fresh isn't such an easy task.

Sometimes it can mould, sweat or even dry out, and this often happens due to incorrect food storage methods. Little you may know, there's something you can do to prevent it though, as ridding the plastic wrapper can go a long way when it comes to trying to keep your cheese fresh.

Mimi Morley, Senior Recipe Developer at HelloFresh, shared her top tips for keeping ingredients fresh. As HelloFresh has over 250,000 followers on Instagram, the recipe expert is someone you'll probably want to listen to.

She said: "Cheese should always be stored in the fridge. Once you've opened it, keep it at its best by wrapping it in baking paper (or cheese paper if you have it), as opposed to clingfilm, which can make the cheese sweat.

"Using baking paper helps your cheese retain moisture, but prevents it from drying out."

If you didn't know, wrapping cheese in parchment paper can help cheese to last longer and stay fresh. This is because the househould item enables the cheese to breathe, prevents moisture building up and also fights against the growth of mould.

As well as this, the paper works to retain moisture, which helps keep the cheese from drying out. It actually serves a really important purpose.

Once you've cut off the cheese you need, all you need to do is wrap up the remaining cheese like a parcel. This should work to keep the staple ingredient fresh.

It may seem a simple swap, but it can really go a long way when it comes to keeping your cheese fresh. In fact, many experts suggest people do it.

Ridding the wrapper and turning to baking paper is viewed as an essential step for keeping it in good condition. It takes no time at all to pull off either.

Why is parchment paper good for cheese?

There are a few reasons why the paper is a good option for storing cheese. Firstly, it allows air circulation, which prevents the cheese from sweating and promotes a healthy environment.

As well as this, it aids in regulating moisture levels, keeping the cheese from drying out or becoming too moist. It also helps to prevent mould growth, as it doesn't trap in any moisture.

Parchment paper is also very versatile, as most people have it in their kitchens, and it can be used for many different cheese types. It's a handy item to have at home for all sorts of reasons.

If you use it, it's important to wrap the cheese up tightly before you place it back in the fridge. For added protection, you could even then place it into a container or a zip bag.

Some people also say using wax paper can work too. This is always good to know if you don't have baking paper.

To keep cheese fresh for longer, you need to store it in a refrigerator. If you can, it's best to keep it in a vegetable drawer, or the central part, where temperature and humidity are most stable.

People are also advised to avoid plastic wrap, as this can promote mould growth by trapping moisture. As well as this, wrapping your parchment paper tightly is also said to be a key step in keeping your cheese fresh.

Always follow the packet instructions when it comes to how long you should keep your cheese for. It's important to check the best before dates, and avoid eating anything that has developed mould.