How Do You Store Cheese Hampers? A Simple Storage Guide

Knowing how to store cheese hampers properly is important, especially if your hamper is a gift that will be opened later. Good storage helps protect flavour, texture and overall quality so everything can be enjoyed exactly as intended.

You can browse our full range of cheese hampers online if you are ordering a gift or planning ahead.

Storing a cheese hamper when it arrives

When your cheese hamper is delivered, it may include an ice pack to help keep the contents cool in transit. If you are not opening the hamper straight away:

• remove the ice pack once the hamper arrives
• place all cheeses in the fridge as soon as possible
• keep the cheeses wrapped as they were supplied

This is especially important if you are gifting the hamper later, as the ice pack is only designed for delivery, not long-term storage.

Where to store the non-cheese items

Most of the other items you will usually find in a hamper, such as crackers and chutneys, are ambient products. These can normally be stored:

• in a cool, dry place
• away from direct sunlight
• in a cupboard or pantry rather than the fridge

This helps prevent moisture and heat from affecting texture and packaging.

If you would like a reminder of exactly what is usually included, our guide on what goes in a cheese hamper gives a clear overview.

How long can you keep a cheese hamper before gifting it?

If you are giving the hamper as a gift on a later date, always check the use-by dates on the cheeses and store them in the fridge until you are ready to present the hamper.

If you are planning delivery close to an occasion, our guide to cheese hamper delivery in the UK can help you choose the right timing.

How to store cheese after it has been opened

Once the cheese has been opened and enjoyed, correct storage makes a big difference to how long it stays fresh.

• wrap cheese in greaseproof or wax paper rather than cling film
• place wrapped cheese in an airtight container in the fridge
• keep different cheeses separate to avoid flavour transfer

This helps the cheese breathe while preventing it from drying out.

Which cheeses store best after opening?

Some cheeses are naturally more forgiving once opened. Firmer and more mature styles usually keep better than very soft cheeses.

We explain this in more detail in our guide to the best cheese for a cheese hamper.

Storing a cheese hamper that is being given as a gift

If you are preparing a hamper as a gift at home, it is best to:

• keep the cheeses refrigerated until shortly before gifting
• only place the cheeses back into the hamper just before giving it
• store the ambient items separately until presentation

If you are buying specifically as a present, our cheese hamper gift guide offers useful tips on choosing the right style of hamper.

Want the full overview before ordering?

If you would like a complete guide to choosing and enjoying a hamper, our main cheese hamper guide brings everything together in one place.

Summary

If your cheese hamper includes an ice pack, remove it when the hamper arrives and store the cheeses in the fridge. Most other items are ambient and can be kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Once opened, cheeses should be re-wrapped properly and stored in the fridge to maintain flavour and texture for as long as possible.

You can explore our full collection of cheese hampers and choose a gift that is easy to store and enjoy.