If you’re looking for a thoughtful and considerate present for a loved one, consider gifting them an assortment of their favorite cheeses. Perfect for holiday parties or for the friend who always insists on the charcuterie appetizer, cheese is a safe choice in terms of a family-favorite snack. Despite the popularity and deliciousness of cheese, sending it to a loved one far away can be a complicated process. The last thing you want is for this tasty gift idea to fall flat with a box of smelly cheese arriving to your friend or family.
Similar to shipping any perishable item, shipping cheese takes proper planning and appropriate mailing procedures in order to come together nicely. Luckily, there are many packaging strategies that can simplify the cheese shipping process and help you send something that looks classy and professional. This article will explore how to ship cheese and the best ways to ensure that your gift doesn’t get stinky with lack of preparation.
How to Ship Cheese in the Mail
Let’s walk through each stage of shipping cheese in order to send an impressive and ultimately palatable present. Cheese is delicious, but can also be a delicacy and begin to age poorly with even the slightest misstep. Here are our suggested tips for learning how to mail cheese to make sure everything ships smoothly.
Step 1. Gather materials needed for shipping cheese
Shipping cheese requires the sender to not only gather the best cheeses but also gather the appropriate materials for packaging the cheese. In order to make sure the cheese arrives the way you intend, you’ll want to double check that you have your hands on all these suggested materials:
- Insulated Foam Containers
- Insulated Bubble Liners (or Rolls)
- Cold Packs
- Packing Tape
- Corrugated Boxes
Obviously you want your cheese to be held secure in a durable yet nice-looking box to give your gift a good presentation. Choose a corrugated box in a fun color you know your loved one will appreciate and add personalized accents to make your gift extra special. If you’re sending a cheese plate for the holidays, feel free to get a little festive with your box choices!
Step 2. Prepare the cheese for shipping
After you’ve gathered the appropriate materials for shipping cheese, it’s time to prepare them for shipping. There are countless types of cheese that are great for travel, but many cheeses will have unique traits that might bring along specific packaging requirements. For example, some cheeses will melt if not kept in low enough temperatures, while harder cheeses such as cheddar and parmesan can be stored at room temperature and be equally tasty. You’ll want to keep this in mind when choosing your cheese arrangement.
After choosing the cheese, it’s time to determine their packaging needs. Some cheeses might be best delivered in their original packaging, while others would benefit from additional protection and padding that you’d be able to grab beforehand. After each cheese has been individually prepped, you’ll prepare the corrugated box for shipping. Line the bottom of the box with cold packs, then add bubble wrap to the box as a liner for padding. You’ll also use bubble wrap around the cheeses in order to secure them in place. Bubble wrap is best for cheese, as it’s padded enough for the cheese to be protected and avoid breakage during transit.
Step 3. Ship your cheese
After you’ve bubble wrapped your cheese and placed everything inside the corrugated box, it’s time to get ready to ship the cheese to your loved one. There are some important factors to consider before shipping cheese: the type of cheese, time of year, and destination of the delivery. As we covered prior, if your cheese is prone to melting or sweating under certain temperatures, you’re not going to want to send your gift to a friend in Florida in July. Without proper planning in place, this great idea can turn messy real fast.
Some cheeses can be shipped in a few days and still arrive fresh and palatable, while others may require overnight delivery and can go bad if not delivered within a day. Make sure to research the best storage practices for each cheese and prepare based on the cheese chosen. Regardless of the cheese type or shipping time chosen, make sure to mark the package as fragile to ensure extra care is given to your present.
Other Tips for Successfully Shipping Cheese
Shipping cheese doesn’t have to be a daunting task as long as you follow the correct steps for packaging. We’ve included a few extra tips and considerations for shipping cheese so that you can make sure this gift is a success.
Consider the type of cheese before shipping
As we’ve touched on already, so much of the packaging process for cheese will be determined by the type of cheese chosen. Some cheeses are super easy to deliver, while others are close to impossible without amazing packaging and prep. Let’s explore some of the best and worst cheeses for shipping.
Great Cheeses for Shipping:
- Aged Cheddar
- Parmigiano Reggiano
- Aged Gouda
- Pecorino
- Gruyere
- Appenzeller
Bad Cheeses for Shipping:
- Brie
- Goat Cheese
- Blue Cheese
- Most Soft Cheeses
Include cheese accessories for an added surprise
You’ve prepared a beautiful arrangement of cheese for your loved one to enjoy, but how will they enjoy it? You can make this present even better by including some cheese board accessories, such as cheese knives, cheese boards, or even fun napkins and serving plates that you know they’ll love. You’re essentially giving them the amazing present of a picnic in a box, all they’ll need is a hungry stomach to enjoy.
Find the Cheese Shipping Supplies You Need at Paper Mart
Sending a loved one an assortment of delicious cheese is a fun and thoughtful way to show you care and flaunt your amazing taste. Perfect for those that love a quick snack or enjoy a nice picnic in the park, choosing to learn how to ship cheese is a great way to give your friends and family a pick-me-up present that they’re bound to appreciate. Shipping cheese can be a fairly simple task with the appropriate materials and proper planning in place.
Paper Mart has an extensive selection of supplies needed for successfully shipping cheese. From bubble wrap to fun and colorful boxes, we help you guarantee that your gift is packaged appropriately and your cheeses are all gouda to go. Paper Mart has tons of affordable and durable resources to support all cheese shipping aspirations. Shop at Paper Mart today to browse our selection!
