Freezing Cheddar Reality?

[jennyjj01]

Practical help please, preferably from experience.

For the last 2 months, for the first time ever, I've been storing frozen (mature) cheddar in my stash. I've actually used some of the early stock and only really noticed degraded texture. Still made awesome welsh rarebit.

But I'm seeing conflicting opinions on freezing cheddar. Mostly I'm warned not to expect great taste and texture after defrosting it. But I'm a prepper, not a restauranteur. Edible and cheesy is all I ask for.
To hell with the detail. How long is frozen cheddar really good for? And by 'good', I mean 'acceptable nourishment' when there is no chance of buying it fresh. I don't frankly care if it becomes on a par with the most rubbish 'fresh' cheddar, so long as it isn't rancid or toxic.
Would storing it for 12 months be too much to hope for? What if my stock was to be consumed progressively over 2 years?

Really better to grate it? Somehow, I see that as inviting freezer burn.
Currently holding one freezer shelf full in 200g lumps. Looking to maybe half a freezer full, 'cos I love my cheese and bacon.

Stay safe, folks.

[jansman]

We freeze it. Its best grated in our experience though. As for life,I don't think a year would be out of order.

[Stonecarver]

Freeze it. If shredded and frozen brand new cheese then according to this site can last year or maybe longer

[Stonecarver]

http://www.eatbydate.com/dairy/cheese/c ... tion-date/

[jennyjj01]

http://www.eatbydate.com/dairy/cheese/c ... tion-date/

Thanks.
It says 8 months past BBE..... So I'll plan to keep some for 4 years

[itsybitsy]

We freeze it. Its best grated in our experience though. As for life,I don't think a year would be out of order.

I agree. Can be frozen but better grated.

[cbp125]

I buy big blocks and devide into 4, wrap in cling film and freeze. I have several shelves and I would happily eat it several years old. Cheese improves with age after all! I defrost overnight into my fridge then I use it just like fresh, grated, sliced or however I want it too. I have never had a problem with it at all. TBH it is one of the more reliable preps. I was originally planning to wax cheese, just for fun, and as an off grid system but never quite got around to it...

[ForgeCorvus]

'Proper' cheese was a way of storing milk long term, I'm not sure why modern cheese doesn't seem to have any kind of life expectancy ?

I tend to only start eating supermarket cheese after the BBE as it might of developed some flavour at that point.... Even the "28 day extra matured" stuff
An Ex- used to buy 25 year old Gouda (more as a treat then as everyday cheese) and I don't remember that ever spoiling.

I'm reading this thread with interest, mainly because I'm a bit of a Ben Gunn and my idea of PAW hell is not having access to cheese

[unsure]

ive frozen cheese before , i also found it better for cooking with rather than putting on bread or salads .
i have some of the cheese slice`s in the freezer some were , they`ve been in for a good while , might have to pull them out and see what state there in .

[Stonecarver]

Has no one ever tried to freeze perishable stuff like cheese butter margarine etc for extended length of time to see if it is actually eatable afterwards?ie 5 years after expiry