There's a question we've all asked ourselves at some point: is it possible to store Parmesan outside the fridge? To answer this question, we need to make some preliminary remarks about Parmigiano Reggiano and its characteristics.
Parmesan, as we have often explained, is a cheese characterized by a rather low water content and undergoes medium-long maturation periods, ranging from 12 to 100 months. This means that it is a cheese that can be stored for a long time; it all depends on how it is stored.
How to store freshly cut Parmesan
When we buy a freshly cut piece of Parmesan, or one extracted from a vacuum-sealed package, it is necessary to store it in the refrigerator at a temperature between 4 and 8°C, to preserve its organoleptic properties. In this regard, it is advisable to place it away from other foods whose smell it might absorb, which is why it is recommended to place it in plastic or glass containers. The duration of this type of storage will vary from a couple of weeks to over a month, depending on the degree of maturation.
How to store vacuum-sealed Parmesan
Does vacuum-sealed Parmigiano Reggiano last outside the fridge? Yes, for a few days, but if we want to store it at its best, with all its organoleptic properties intact for a longer period, it is still necessary to place it in the refrigerator between 4 and 8°C. If the packaging is intact and sealed, the cheese can remain in the refrigerator for several months without deteriorating.
There is one condition that allows Parmesan to be stored out of the fridge for a long time: a whole wheel! A wheel of Parmesan remains at a temperature of around 18°C for up to 100 months. But you, most likely, won't have an entire wheel of Parmesan to store in a suitable aging cell :) That's why you should follow our tips to best store your wedges of Parmigiano Reggiano!
