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GENERAL BOARDS => Buying, Storing, & Cheesemongering => Topic started by: mondo on March 30, 2009, 04:29:36 AM

Title: sliced sharp cheddar storage
Post by: mondo on March 30, 2009, 04:29:36 AM

I've recently been buying sliced sharp cheddar from the deli dept. (It's sliced from bulk) after 5 or 6 days I've notice what almost looks like "salt"? all over the slices. Is this truly salt or is it some type of mold growing on the cheese. I keep it in the refrigerator in a ziplock bag. I'm wondering if it is still safe to eat. Can somebody educate me please?

Title: Re: sliced sharp cheddar storage
Post by: makkonen on March 30, 2009, 10:21:06 AM

Those sound like Calcium Lactate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_lactate). They're crystals caused by the lactic acid coming out of solution. If that is, in fact, what they are, they're not harmful, and viewed as a sign of quality in some cheeses.

Ah. Here's a better link, from the glossary here: http://cheeseforum.org/Glossary.htm#Calcium_Lactate_Crystals (http://cheeseforum.org/Glossary.htm#Calcium_Lactate_Crystals)

Title: Re: sliced sharp cheddar storage
Post by: wharris on March 30, 2009, 11:47:20 AM

I think you can actually see some in this (http://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/topic,874.0.html) thread