When it comes to keeping cheese fresh, it’s not just about wrapping it up and popping it in the fridge - something many of us are guilty of doing.

A few simple yet crucial steps can make all the difference in preserving its quality and preventing unwanted bacteria growth.

While it may seem straightforward, improper storage can drastically reduce the shelf life of your favourite cheeses.

One of the main factors in extending cheese's longevity is controlling the environment it’s kept in.

According to Sarah Taylor, a food hygiene expert at HighSpeed Training: “A consistent temperature is important to keep cheese fresh, so placement in your fridge is important.”

Highlighting the importance of positioning, Sarah told Express.co.uk: “Place your cheese at the back of the fridge where the temperature is much more constant, which will prevent bacteria growth.”

Keeping cheese in the warmer areas of your fridge, such as the door, can lead to fluctuating temperatures, which promotes bacterial development and spoils the cheese faster.

The wrapping method also varies depending on the type of cheese. For example, hard cheeses, which are more resilient, can be wrapped in clingfilm to help them stay fresh longer. However, soft cheeses require a different approach.

Sarah explained, "Storing cheese can be tricky, and the best method often depends on the type of cheese.

“Hard cheeses can be wrapped in clingfilm to be kept fresh for longer, whilst doing the same to soft cheeses will cause them to ‘sweat’.”

Soft cheeses should be wrapped in baking paper or waxed cheesecloth to avoid this. This allows them to “breathe” and prevents excess moisture, which can lead to quicker spoilage.

While properly storing cheese can help keep it fresh, the moisture content of soft cheeses also means they spoil more quickly.

Sarah advised: “Soft cheeses should be consumed quickly after opening, as their high moisture content means mould spreads quickly.”

This is where proper storage becomes even more crucial. Keeping soft cheese in an airtight container can help reduce exposure to air, which encourages mould growth.

Finally, the expert pointed out that not all types of cheese are the same when it comes to mould.

While cheeses like Stilton are intentionally mouldy to enhance their flavour, others, like Cheddar, don’t benefit from mould growth.

“Unless it’s a particular type of cheese, dispose of it when you see large amounts of mould,” Sarah advised, as in some cases, mould can lead to illness, so it's better to err on the side of caution.