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ChuckC
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I once did 8 weeks in the NWT (now Nunavut). We used 2lb blocks of sharp cheddar from Stop & Shop, 2 per 10-day food rotation, 4 paddlers. So the last ones we used were over 6 weeks without refrigeration, and they were fine. As others have said, they get a little squishy and oily, but tasted fine, did not get moldy until you opened the package for a couple days. Those blocks are not the best cheese you can find in the supermarket, but we chose them for their heavy, industrial-strength wrapper. As long as the wrapper isn't compromised, you're good to go for weeks. Keep them out of the sunlight too. Remember, cheese evolved as a long-term storage of calories...
-CHUCK-
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billconner
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Took cheddar and smoked Swiss - both from Cups - and both did fine. Last dinner were quesadillas with leftover tortillas and the smoked Swiss. Yummy.
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andym
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We like to take a variety of very good hard cheeses. A trip to a grocery with an excellent cheese section is an important, pre-trip ritual. We've been eating some at the end of 11 day trips. Agree on all the other advice about ones with wax on them.
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yogi59weedr
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OldFingers57
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We got some cheese from this company. They were pretty good. Had the basil tomato and the chipoltle ones. Just the right size for two of us for lunch. Plus shelf stable. These would only need refrigeration if not completely finished the package.
Northwoods Cheese Co
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Bigbriwi
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We are taking a trip at the beginning of Septmeber and we are doing our meal planning. I see a lot of people bring cheese. What kind of cheese do you guys find packs the best? Not being able to keep it cold, how many days will it last?
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aerosen
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Because we like the convenience, we take a wheel of the Laughing Cow spreadable cheese wedges (8 per container) and 4 - 6 individually wrapped cheese sticks. That is for two of us for about a week. We just toss these in our bear vault and don't worry about keeping the cheese cool. The sticks may get a bit oily, but they still taste fine, and we haven't gotten sick.
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soundguy0918
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Kraft shredded or block cheddar will last 2-3 days in the woods in a ziploc. Any kind of cheese that comes completely sealed in wax will be good unopened almost indefinitely, and several days once sliced. Even then if you get mold on the sliced edge you can cut it off and the rest will be fine. The wrapped cheese sticks are an excellent choice.
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billconner
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Sharp cheddars usually, but have taken parmesan, Gouda, even Swiss and brie once. Just keep in zip locks, in sack at bottom of food pack. It does get soft and oily sometimes but doesn't affect flavor or safety. Been out two weeks in July and have brought some home and used it.
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NotSoFast
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+1 on the cheese sticks.
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OldFingers57
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The harder cheeses like Parmesan and Roman work well. We have taken the cheese sticks and have had them last for 4-5 days without refrigeration. We also use the Laughing Cow cheese which does not need refrigerated. Cheese by type
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OldFingers57
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We take Laughing Cow cheese on a lot of canoe and backpacking trips as they do not need refrigeration. We also take mozz. cheese sticks which usually last a good 4-5 days. Any of the hard cheeses will last longer than the softer ones which tend to get oily after a while. Types of cheese
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fraxinus
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Individually wrapped string cheese keeps well, Sargento makes some sharp cheddar and white cheddar individually wrapped cheese sticks that aren't bad. Not gonna win any prizes but better than generic cheddar. Like others have said, a chunk of hard cheese, like aged cheddar travels well, and waxed cheeses like Gouda are good, one of my favorites in waxed cheese is the Babybel cheeses, small serving maybe the equivalent of 2 slices of cheese, covered in wax, good for a quick lunch at a portage landing. The wax makes a great fire starter too.
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HammerII
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quote Bigbriwi: "We are taking a trip at the beginning of Septmeber and we are doing our meal planning. I see a lot of people bring cheese. What kind of cheese do you guys find packs the best? Not being able to keep it cold, how many days will it last?
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Any of the "hard" cheese with a rind will handle the trip just find. I do like big chuck of cheddar or a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano. I friend who I've camped with wraps his with a cheese cloth that's dampened with vinegar to reduce mold. He once told me that he likes his cheese way to much to scraping any off if it molds......
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AdamXChicago
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+1 on the wheel. If not available in a flavor you like, get a block instead of shredded.
AdamX
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Bigbriwi
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Thanks for the advice guys.
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Savage Voyageur
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Sharp cheddar or any hard cheese will be fine in September.
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Jackfish
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quote Savage Voyageur: "Sharp cheddar or any hard cheese will be fine in September. "
Agreed. Medium cheddar should be fine, too, even in the summer.
One cheese that doesn't travel well, however, is Colby. If it gets warm, it gets VERY soft and oily. It's one of my favorite cheeses, but it just doesn't hold up on canoe trips.
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