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Though food will be safe indefinitely at 0° F, quality will decrease the longer the food is in the freezer.” While freezing does not kill most bacteria, it does stop bacteria from growing. Food & Drug Administration has determined that “food that is properly handled and stored in the freezer at 0° F (-18° C) will remain safe. Studies Show Super-Chilling Is Best For Shredded Cheese In contrast, a quick temperature drop allows for small crystals and less of a worry about these detrimental changes. “One of the dangers of freezing cheese is the formation of large ice crystals, which can result in damage to the cheese texture and ultimately impact functionality and sensory acceptance.” The reason you need a flash freeze shredded parmesan cheese is to control the size of the ice crystals that form on the product. Ideally, thawing takes place under refrigeration and best to allow around a week to allow the moisture in the cheese to re-equilibrate back into the cheese matrix (although some companies only allow a couple of days).” Scientists at the Center For Dairy Research (CDR) have determined that “the general rule of thumb for freezing cheese is to freeze the cheese as quickly as possible and thaw the cheese as slowly as possible. The main factor that plays a role in conserving the texture and flavor components of this product is the speed that you conduct freezing and defrosting. It also makes it a less desirable cheese to freeze. This characteristic makes it harder for this cheese to melt. This compares to mozzarella and cheddar, but is less acidic than soft cheeses like cottage cheese and feta. This means that it is more acidic than its more water heavy counterparts. Parmesan cheese is lower on the pH scale (5.1 to 5.4). University of Florida’s food experts note that “after freezing, cheese may become crumbly and mealy, but it will retain its flavor.” Why Changes Occur When You Freeze Shredded Parmesan Cheese
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It is important to note that while you can easily store parmesan at room temperatures for short periods of time or in the freezer for half a year, both options will change the texture, flavor and aromatic qualities of this distinct cheese.
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This will allow it to last for up to six months. If you want to elongate your parmesan’s shelf life, freezing is the best option.
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