A UK surgeon has shared a clever food storage tip that can help keep your favourite cheeses from going mouldy – and he warns against certain common methods including cling film
A doctor has revealed the secret to keeping your cheese mould-free – and it’s something many of us are getting wrong. UK surgeon Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr Karan Rajan, took to TikTok to share advice on the best way to store cheese in the fridge.
The content creator suggested that many people might be doing it incorrectly by putting it directly into a plastic bag or even wrapping it in cling film. In a video that garnered more than 119,000 views, Dr Rangarajan strongly advised against storing cheese in the plastic packaging it comes in.
He humorously instructed: “Once you finish gobbling your cheese like a hungry little rat, try and avoid putting your cheese in a plastic bag.” The doctor stressed that his trick works on “especially softer cheeses, which have a higher water content, like havarti, mozzarella or Gouda”.
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“This is because the moisture can get trapped by the plastic bag and cover the cheese surface, and this provides a breeding ground for bacteria and mould – and not the tasty kind,” he explained.
This follows a foodie who posts on social media under the username @eatlean, sharing her “two hacks to help keep your cheese fresher for longer once opened”.
In a clip, which has gained more than 6,300 views on TikTok, she was seen opening two common cheese textures before showing fans how to store them properly, reports the Express. The first being a pot of soft cheese, often used as a spread or a dip.
Soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, and ricotta tend to spoil more quickly than blocks. However, they can be saved as the woman explained: “Remove the tin foil film from Eatlean Spreadable and replace it with tight cling film. Place the lid back on top to ensure it is as airtight as possible.”
Echoing Dr Rangarajan’s guidance, she revealed that blocks require different storage methods. “Wrap in parchment paper, secure with tape and write on the date opened,” she added.
Following the clip’s viral success, some TikTok followers questioned whether freezing cheese was safe. In a subsequent video, which has garnered more than 2,700 views, she detailed the optimal method for freezing cheese.
She said: “Grate the cheese! This makes sure the texture of the cheese doesn’t change during the freezing and thawing process! ! Add to a zip lock bag to keep it airtight.”
