Buying cheese online — how to choose a good cheese retailer, what ships well, packaging and delivery tips, and how to get the best results.
Buying cheese online opens up a world of artisan and hard-to-find cheeses delivered to your door, but it comes with considerations around freshness, shipping, and choosing a good retailer. Here's what to know about buying cheese online.
Why Buy Cheese Online
Buying cheese online gives you access to a far wider range than most local shops — artisan cheeses, regional specialties, imports, and cheeses from dedicated cheesemongers and producers anywhere. It's convenient, great for gifts, and a way to discover cheeses you couldn't otherwise find. Specialist online cheese retailers often curate excellent selections and provide expert descriptions. With a little care around freshness and shipping, online cheese buying can be reliable and rewarding, expanding your cheese horizons well beyond the local supermarket.
Choosing a Good Retailer
The most important factor is choosing a reputable cheese retailer. Look for specialist cheese shops and cheesemongers (online or with an online arm) rather than generic marketplaces, as they understand cheese, store and ship it properly, and curate quality selections. Read reviews, check that they ship cheese with appropriate cold packaging, and look for detailed cheese descriptions and knowledgeable staff. A good retailer is the foundation of a good online cheese experience — they'll ensure the cheese arrives fresh and as described.
What Ships Well
Some cheeses travel better than others. Hard and semi-hard cheeses (cheddar, Gouda, Alpine cheeses, Parmesan) are robust and ship well, tolerating transit best. Many soft and even some delicate cheeses can ship successfully too, but they require proper cold packaging and fast delivery. Good retailers ship cheese with insulation and ice packs, often via expedited shipping, and may avoid shipping the most fragile cheeses in hot weather. When buying online, consider the cheese type and trust retailers who ship perishable cheese responsibly.
Packaging and Delivery
Pay attention to how the cheese is shipped. Reputable retailers pack cheese in insulated boxes with ice packs or gel packs to keep it cool in transit, and use appropriate (often expedited) shipping to minimize time in transit. Check whether the retailer ships on certain days to avoid cheese sitting in a warehouse over a weekend. When your cheese arrives, unpack and refrigerate it promptly. Good packaging and prompt delivery are essential for cheese to arrive in good condition — a key reason to choose a specialist retailer.
Receiving and Storing
When your online cheese order arrives, inspect it: it should be cool and well-packaged. Refrigerate it promptly, then bring it to room temperature before serving. If a vacuum-sealed cheese smells a little funky on opening, let it breathe — this is usually normal. Store the cheese properly (cheese paper, humid drawer) and eat softer cheeses sooner. A little funkiness or sweat from transit usually recovers with refrigeration. Following good storage ensures your online-bought cheese is at its best when you eat it.
Tips for the Best Experience
To get the most from buying cheese online: choose specialist, reputable retailers; read descriptions and reviews; consider what ships well and the weather; order for delivery when you'll be home to refrigerate it promptly; try curated selections or subscription boxes to discover new cheeses; and buy for occasions where the wider selection adds value. Online cheese buying is excellent for exploring artisan and hard-to-find cheeses and for gifts. With a good retailer and proper handling, it's a reliable way to enjoy great cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy cheese online?
Yes, from reputable specialist retailers who ship cheese with proper cold packaging (insulation and ice packs) and expedited delivery. Choose a good retailer and refrigerate promptly on arrival.
What cheeses ship best?
Hard and semi-hard cheeses (cheddar, Gouda, Parmesan, Alpine cheeses) ship best, being robust. Soft cheeses can ship well too with proper cold packaging and fast delivery.
How should I handle cheese when it arrives?
Inspect that it's cool and well-packaged, refrigerate it promptly, then bring it to room temperature before serving. Let any vacuum-sealed cheese breathe if it smells funky on opening.