Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wings]

I have a friend coming to visit me to start off her Asia trip, she will be bringing over a whole suitcase of food for me, woo hoo! I would like to get some cheese brought over, but I am a bit curious as to the logistics.

If the cheese is frozen, can I only use it for cooking after that, or will it thaw out and be just like new?

What cheeses could be brought over without the need for some sort of cooling?

Anyone brought cheese on a more than 24 hour journey (with lay overs etc) who could give me some advice?

[kat2]

You can freeze cheese and use it fine. Sometimes, it's a litle more crubly after defrosting, and doesn't slice beautifully, but beggars can't be choosers! I've only frozen more block style cheese like cheddar, colby, gouda, etc. I've never tried it on something softer like brie or blue cheese. I do know people that have taken cheese (and meat actually) on long flights. They still eat it and they're still alive. So, you probably will be too. If you are planning on not freezing it, then I would look for cheese that are more vacuum packed. I know at the airport in Amsterdam they sell a lot of cheese that is packaged to take on airplanes and won't spoil.

[Riddzy]

I had someone bring me cheese (cheddar, stilton etc) from the UK and it was fine. They just put it in a cool bag with some ice and it was still cool after more than 24 hours. I kept it for ages before eating it, no problem.

[Luna]

[littlelisa]

I'd go with a firmer cheese. Do not freeze Brie or Ricotta or anything.. but aged cheese (or any firm cheese, really) will have no problems, some semi-soft cheeses may be more crumbly afterwards, but otherwise fine. Defrost it in your fridge and use it within two months.

For firm cheese, what I do is cut it into whatever portion size I want, then wrap it in plastic wrap and stick it in a freezer bag.
I've successfully frozen fresh mozzarella by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, then putting it in a freezer bag too, so goat's cheese and other similar cheeses should work too.

What cheese are you hoping she'll bring you?

I think that hard cheeses will travel best. I'd go with that. At the cooler temperatures that were having now, there shouldn't be a problem to send it just as it is. 24 hours is fine without refrigeration. She could also pack it with some ice packs to keep it cool, if you really like.

[mistermasan]

real cheese or that vacuum packed Kraft american industrialized stuff? the latter is indestructable.

[mrsquirrel]

Get a freezer bag and a couple of ice blocks.

Put it in there in your main bag not your carry on.

I have brought frozen sausages and haggis with me like this before.

[normalcyispasse]

Can you get cheese in vacuum-sealed packages? That should do fine without much worry.

[sojourner1]

Go with something like Padano or a hard high quality well aged cheddar. As someone mentioned, hard well aged cheeses travel well.

Cheese is something I miss as they only have these tiny eeeeny beeeny packs for too much Won on the Korean market such as at Homeplus.

[rockstarsmooth]

i've done well with soft cheeses being frozen. i brought over chevre, edam, havarti and gouda frozen with no problems. they freeze well and thaw nicely.
in fact the only problem is that i'm down to my last package of chevre!
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