Cheese for long shelf life stores?

[jennyjj01]

Reminded in another thread just how little I'm prepared for a post cheese apocalypse.

I've no shelf stable long life cheese reserves and I seek suggestions for something cost effective and practical to store for when my frozen Cheddar stash is consumed.
Cheese wrapped in wax?
Primula in a tube?
Kraft cheese slices?
Tinned Cheese?
Powdered Cheese?

Tinned macaroni cheese has been suggested and I'll try it, but I doubt I'll ever enjoy it..

Who amongst us already has a suitable long term ambient temp store of an acceptable cheese product or substitute?
Anyone care to join me in the quest?

My starting point for this quest will probably be powdered cheese sauce mixes like this.

[pseudonym]

Making cheese from powdered Milk

https://www.instructables.com/Making-So ... ered-Milk/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oiowGAYxL4

[berbie]

Not tried it but.................
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Napolina-Grate ... 7977&psc=1

[NBK2000]

I’ve had some cheese in wax for about four years. Opened one not long ago and it was perfectly fine. As long as the wax is fairly thick and airtight it’ll be fine for a long old while.

[Frnc]

I’ve had some cheese in wax for about four years. Opened one not long ago and it was perfectly fine. As long as the wax is fairly thick and airtight it’ll be fine for a long old while.

Had a look online, and it seems to be only recommended to keep at room temp for a few weeks. Babybels only a few hours. Refrigeration is best.

Of course in a SHTF, a few weeks would still be extremely useful. The only snag seems to be it's expensive, and generally sold in hampers or large quantities.

[grenfell]

Not tried it but.................
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Napolina-Grate ... 7977&psc=1

Not tried that myself and at £4.89 for 50grammes I'm not likely to either but that said having a look around for tinned cheese in the UK there seems to be very little option.

[Arzosah]

Not tried it but.................
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Napolina-Grate ... 7977&psc=1

Not tried that myself and at £4.89 for 50grammes I'm not likely to either but that said having a look around for tinned cheese in the UK there seems to be very little option.

Totally agree, that's way out of my financial league, but the making cheese from powdered (full fat, I presume) milk sounds a bit of a substitute.

I'm wondering about grating cheese and then putting it into the dehydrator? There's a fair number of YT vids on it.

[jennyjj01]

Not tried it but.................
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Napolina-Grate ... 7977&psc=1

Not tried that myself and at £4.89 for 50grammes I'm not likely to either...

Totally agree, that's way out of my financial league, but the making cheese from powdered (full fat, I presume) milk sounds a bit of a substitute.

I did once try a similar grated hard cheese product, but it was pretty dire.

Let the 'speriments begin.
Today I picked up a sachet of Colmans Cheddar Cheese sauce mix in an Asda deal ( 62p).
First experiment will be to try making it up extra thick and applying it as a spread and maybe toasting it as a gesture towards rarebit.
Chose the Colmans brand because unlike other varieties, this had cheese powder as its main ingredient, rather than assorted starch additives.

[Arzosah]

Let the 'speriments begin.
Today I picked up a sachet of Colmans Cheddar Cheese sauce mix in an Asda deal ( 62p).
First experiment will be to try making it up extra thick and applying it as a spread and maybe toasting it as a gesture towards rarebit.
Chose the Colmans brand because unlike other varieties, this had cheese powder as its main ingredient, rather than assorted starch additives.

Good luck with this 'speriment! Choice of Colmans brand sounds excellent.

[ForgeCorvus]

As a cheesophile this is a subject close to my heart, so I'll weigh in with my findings so far.

Waxed cheeses, these are pretty good for mid-term storage but you need to find more traditional (expensive and hard to find) recipes and rotate fairly often..... Due to cost they might not be a viable option.

Tinned Cheese. I like the brand "Laughing Cow" but its hard to find (read, nearly impossible in Norfolk), its a bit on the bland side and has a rubbery texture as its basically processed cheese in a metal jacket. It will slice and grate and is ok for cooking but if you want a strong cheese taste rather then melty cheese texture this is not ideal. I've found "Kraft" and "Tropical Sun" but not tried them (prices are scary especially on mailorder)...... I think tinned cheese is a staple of Afro-Caribbean cuisine so maybe try those retailers if there are any near you.

Dried/powdered Cheese. I'd not tried this until I bought a some in lockdown. The cheddar version is ok, a bit more flavour then old-school powdered parmesan ( but without the hint of "sweaty feet")from the 80's . But the real winner for me was powdered blue cheese, after the small samples (50g I think) I first bought I then ordered extra of the Blue. Half of it sat in a glass clip-seal jar for years because I'd forgotten about it and I recently found it again..... I'm going to have to get more, because it was just as good as it was after the second lockdown.
You can add it by the spoonful to recipes or sprinkle it on pasta dishes...... I've made an acceptable pizza-ish with a piece of toast, tomato powder (from the same source) mixed into paste and a liberal dusting of BCPowder.
Probably the most economical option, its lasts well and you don't need a lot to get that cheese hit. 250g of Blue is about £8.50/ £9. and Cheddar £7/£8