Cheese Tip
Select sharp cheddar when using packaged shredded cheese for recipes that you'd like to have a bolder flavor. If you will be shredding cheese at home from bulk cheddar, you can choose from mild, medium, sharp and extra sharp.
When buying bulk cheese, 4 ounces equals 1 cup shredded.
Store cheese in an airtight containers, plastic bags or plastic wrap in the refrigerator (about 4 months for soft cheeses and 6 months or hard cheeses).
Cheese can be frozen for longer storage time. Because the freezing process changes the cheese's texture slightly, it is best to use it in cooking or baking.
When cooking with natural unprocessed cheese, melt at low temperatures to keep the cheese from turning tough and stringy.
When adding cheese to a soup or sauce, stir in the cheese at the end of cooking to avoid over-heating. Shredding the cheese allows it to melt faster with a minimum of heating.