Gift Basket Business Blog

Shelf Stable Cheeses in Gift Baskets

March 21st, 2006 at 03:17pm Lorie Obernauer

Many processed and packaged foods are shelf stable, which means they do not require refrigeration until opened. At Apex Gift Foods, we sell an extensive line of shelf stable cheeses. Our customers frequently ask: What makes shelf stable cheese last so long? Why doesn’t it require refrigeration? Why can shelf stable cheeses be stored at room temperature?

Food products are made shelf stable through the manufacturing process. I checked out the US Drug and Food Administration web site and found this information:
“There are numerous techniques that make some foods shelf stable. The primary technique is to lower the water content of the food. Bacteria need water to grow and if there isn’t enough water present, then the bacteria will not grow.”

An alternative method to making food shelf stable is to heat it “to ultra high temperatures, so that it becomes sterile. With this technique, once the food is made sterile, it is hermetically sealed (airtight).”

There are many advantages to using these shelf stable cheeses in gift baskets as opposed to those that require refrigeration. Baskets can be packed ahead of time without concerns about spoiling. When shipping gift baskets that include shelf stable cheeses, there is no need to be concerned about how long shipping might take. Likewise, there is no need to worry about when the gift basket is actually unpacked and when the foods are eaten. As long as the individual packs of cheese are sealed, no refrigeration is necessary.

Apex Gift Food’s line of shelf stable cheese is manufactured by The Wisconsin Cheeseman, located in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Over the years, the packaging of these cheeses has become more and more upscale. Boxes with beautiful graphics, festive tins, and mylar wrappings are used to package a wide variety of flavored cheeses including cheddar, swiss, brie, and gouda. Many new, gourmet flavors have been added to the line: horseradish, cranberry chutney, tomato basil, as well as a selection of wine flavored cheeses.

Go to Apex Gift Foods to see the full selection of shelf stable cheeses. When you order a case of cheese, you will receive a free sample of select cheeses for your tasting pleasure. Just write “CheeseBlog” in the comments section of your order form.

Entry Filed under: Gourmet Gift Foods, Promotions