Does cheese stored in Formaticum products need to be refrigerated?  
Yes. Storing your cheese wrapped in Formaticum paper in the fridge is the safest way to extend your cheese’s life and keep it as healthy as possible for as long as possible. We recommend storing your cheese in a drawer or other area of your fridge where it will not be as susceptible to temperature fluctuations from opening and closing the door. 

Are Formaticum products only for cheese storage?
No! Our bags and paper are perfect for storing all kinds of food products to preserve their flavor and extend shelf life. Here are some of our favorite uses for our products:

• We use Cheese Storage Paper for charcuterie and sandwiches.
• We use Cheese Storage Bags for sandwiches, sausages, and snacks.
• Our Reusable Cheese Storage bags and sheets are perfect for storing fruits and vegetables, including lettuce, mushrooms, and fresh herbs. They’re also great for keeping those pesky avocado halves green for the next meal!

Which side of the paper comes in contact with the cheese? 
The printed side is the outside, and the shiny side is the inside that should be touching the cheese. 

How long will my cheese last in my fridge in Formaticum paper or bags?
This is a big question. Cheese is a living, breathing product, and its shelf life depends on several factors. While our products will significantly extend the shelf life of your cheese when used properly, cheese is unfortunately not immortal. When a wheel of cheese is cut and the rind is broken, the clock starts ticking since the rind of the cheese is its original packaging that protects the cheese while aging.

Factors that will affect the shelf life of your cheese include:

How long ago the piece was cut from the wheel

• Place your cheese in the fridge as soon as possible after buying it
• If you bought cheese wrapped in plastic at the store, remove the plastic as soon as you get home and re-wrap it in our Cheese Storage Bags or Sheets before placing it in the fridge
• Choose cheese like you would produce - select good-looking, fresh pieces with even color, no condensation inside the plastic wrap, and no rips or tears in the wrapping
• Avoid buying cheese from ambient displays - select pieces that have been stored in refrigeration 
• Look at pack dates in the store (if possible) to ensure you are buying a piece of cheese that was most recently cut and has not been sitting in plastic for days
• If you are re-wrapping cheese after it has been sitting out at room temperature, be sure to scrape any excess moisture or butterfat off the surface of the cheese before placing it back into the fridge. 

Here are our guidelines for how long each type of cheese will stay fresh in your fridge, wrapped in Formaticum paper or bags. Remember, these are not hard and fast rules, so we always recommend using your best judgment and your senses of smell and taste.

• Fresh cheeses (mozzarella, ricotta, etc.) - keep these in their original packaging (including any liquid) and consume within 3-5 days, but as soon as possible
• Semi-fresh cheeses (chevre, low moisture mozzarella, ricotta salata, etc) - 5-7 days, but be on the lookout for any surface mold 
• Soft cheeses with bloomy or washed rinds (Brie, Camembert, Taleggio, Robiola, etc.) - 1-2 weeks
• Semi-soft cheeses (Tomme, young Manchego, young Gouda, Drunken Goat) - 2-3 weeks 
• Hard cheeses (aged Manchego, aged Gouda, Comte, Gruyere) - 3-4 weeks
• Grating/Grana-style cheeses (Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, Sbrinz) - 4-5 weeks

Oops! You accidentally forgot about your cheese in the fridge for longer than recommended. Here are some things you can do instead of throwing it out:

• If your cheese has surface mold, cut ¼-½ inch off the affected side(s) of the cheese and taste to determine if you would still enjoy eating it.
• If the cheese is slightly less than fresh, you can grate and cook with it. Use it for grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, fondue, lasagna, frittatas, omelets, gratins, and anything else made better with melted cheese. 

 

CLASSIC CHEESE STORAGE BAGS 

• Best for all cheese types, but soft cheeses can make a mess if too gooey.
• This product is manufactured in France. 
• This material is made with polyethylene, the most common type of plastic used for food packaging. Polyethylene is not treated with chemicals that will alter or otherwise contaminate the flavor of your cheese. 
• Classic Cheese Storage Bags do not contain PFAs, BPAs, or BPH. 
• Classic Cheese Storage Bags are reusable for the same type of cheese - simply wipe off the inside with a damp paper towel in between cheeses. Once you notice butterfat stains in the paper, it's time for a new bag. 
• It is not necessary to fully seal the bag - simply place the cheese in the bag, fold the bag opening under the cheese, and place the bag in the fridge opening-side-down to secure it. Watch how in this video. 
• Each package contains 15 Cheese Storage Bags measuring 6.25" x 11" each. 

 

CLASSIC CHEESE STORAGE SHEETS 

• Best for drier, aged cheeses. 
• This product is manufactured in France. 
• This material is made with polyethylene, the most common type of plastic used for food packaging. Polyethylene is not treated with chemicals that will alter or otherwise contaminate the flavor of your cheese. 
• Classic Cheese Storage Sheets do not contain PFAs, BPAs or BPH. 
• Classic Cheese Storage Sheets are reusable for the same type of cheese - simply wipe off the shiny side with a damp paper towel in between cheeses. Once you notice butterfat stains in the paper, it's time for a new sheet. 
• Our classic Cheese Storage Sheets come with a sticker to seal the wrap - learn how to wrap cheese like a pro in this video. 
• Each package contains 15 sheets measuring 11" x 14" each and 15 adhesive labels.

 

ZERO CHEESE STORAGE BAGS

• Best for drier, aged cheeses. 
• This product is manufactured in France. 
• Zero Cheese Storage Bags are plastic-free and made of greaseproof paper and vegetable-based wax.
• Zero Cheese Storage Bags are recyclable and commercially compostable. 
• Zero Cheese Storage Bags do not contain PFAs, BPAs, or BPH.
• Zero Cheese Storage Bags are reusable for the same type of cheese - simply wipe off the inside with a damp paper towel in between cheeses. Once you notice butterfat stains in the paper, it's time for a new bag. 
• It is not necessary to fully seal the bag - simply place the cheese in the bag, fold the bag opening under the cheese, and place the bag in the fridge opening-side-down to secure it. Watch how in this video. 
• Each package contains 10 Zero Cheese Storage Bags measuring 6” x 14” each. 

 

ZERO CHEESE STORAGE SHEETS

• Best for drier, aged cheeses. 
• This product is manufactured in France. 
• Zero Cheese Storage Sheets are plastic-free and made of greaseproof paper and vegetable-based wax.
• Zero Cheese Storage Sheets are recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable. 
• Zero Cheese Storage Sheets do not contain PFAs, BPAs, or BPH. 
• Zero Cheese Storage Sheets are reusable for the same type of cheese - simply wipe off the inside with a damp paper towel in between cheeses. Once you notice butterfat stains in the paper, it's time for a new sheet.
• Each package contains 15 sheets measuring 9.85” x 13.75” each.
• Learn how to wrap cheese like a pro in this video.

 

REUSABLE CHEESE STORAGE BAGS

• Best for all cheese types and is especially great for blue cheese, butter, and charcuterie.
• This product is manufactured in Germany.
• Reusable Cheese Storage Bags comprise 40% calcium carbonate and 60% polyethylene, using 40% less plastic than other plastic-based materials. 
• Reusable Cheese Storage Bags are recyclable. 
• Reusable Cheese Storage Bags do not contain PFAs, BPAs, or BPH. 
• Reusable Cheese Storage Bags can be hand-washed, air-dried, and reused again and again for all types of cheese. 
• It is not necessary to fully seal the bag - simply place the cheese in the bag, fold the bag opening under the cheese, and place the bag in the fridge opening-side-down to secure it. Watch how in this video. 
• Each package contains 10 Reusable Cheese Storage Bags measuring 5" x 11" each. 

 

REUSABLE CHEESE STORAGE SHEETS

• Best for all cheese types and is especially great for blue cheese, butter, and charcuterie.
• This product is manufactured in Germany.
• Reusable Cheese Storage Sheets comprise 40% calcium carbonate and 60% polyethylene, using 40% less plastic than other plastic-based materials. 
• Reusable Cheese Storage Sheets are recyclable. 
• Reusable Cheese Storage Sheets do not contain PFAs, BPAs, or BPH. 
• Reusable Cheese Storage Sheets can be hand-washed, air-dried, and reused again and again for all types of cheese. 
• Each package contains 10 sheets measuring 9" x 14" each.
• Learn how to wrap cheese like a pro in this video.

 

CHEESE KNIFE FAQ

• Formaticum Professional Cheese Knives and Mini Cheese Knives are handmade in Italy with stainless steel blades and Italian walnut wooden handles. 
• Our knives should always be hand-washed with warm, soapy water and never put in the dishwasher. 
• After washing, gently wipe the knives with a towel and let the wooden handles air-dry. 
• Rub the wooden handles with food-safe mineral oil as needed to keep them looking good and feeling smooth.  

 

CHEESE BOARD LINERS FAQ

• Ideal for all cheese types, but especially great for blue cheese, butter, and charcuterie.
• This product is manufactured in France.
• Board Liners are plastic-free. They are made of wax-coated parchment paper and printed with soy-based inks to make them food safe and biodegradable.
• Board Liners do not contain PFAs, BPAs, or BPH.
• Board Liners can be reused by gently wiping them clean with a damp paper towel.
• Small liners measure 4" x 5", Large liners measure 7" x 7".
• Each package contains 20 Board Liners.