Can I Take Cheese Backpacking?

You want to embark on a backpacking or outdoor trip but can’t help taking your favorite cheese with you. Is it entirely safe to take any cheese backpacking? If you must take a cheese backpacking, what variety should it be?

Backpacking is an outdoor activity involving carrying gear on one’s back and hiking for days. Backpacking takes more than a day, and it, therefore, includes camping outside.

Cheese can be a sweet delicacy and a better staple for outdoor trips once a good type of cheese is chosen. However, not all cheese is good for backpacking. The best cheese for a trip depends on how long a trip will take and the weather conditions.

Can I Take Cheese Backpacking?

Yes, cheese can be taken on a backpacking trip. However, not all cheese can be taken on a backpacking trip. Firm and semi-firm cheeses are best for backpacking, while soft and fresh unaged cheeses are a no-go area.

Fresh cheeses are together with ricotta, chevre, or mozzarella, and soft unaged cheeses such as brie and Camembert should be avoided while embarking on a backpacking trip. These cheeses have a higher moisture ability. Subsequently, they are more vulnerable to spoilage. And as a result of their higher moisture ability, they don’t last for too long in heat or backpack.

Hard-aged cheeses are stapled for backpacking journeys. They can adapt to a huge variety of weather conditions. Hard cheese will last from four to five days in cold weather. In hot weather, hard cheeses usually sweat and last for three days.

Hard Cheese like Asiago, Comté, Emmental, Gruyère, Manchego, and even Parmesan have lower moist abilities; hence they can last for days without becoming moldy or sour. The lower the moisture content, the higher the shelf life of cheese.

With this being said, any outdoor enthusiast that is also a lover of cheese willing to take cheese backpacking should opt for firm and semi-firm cheese such as Cheddar, Parmesan, or Asiago.

Is Cheese Good For Backpacking?

The answer is yes! Cheese is a great addition to your backpacking menu. It’s high in protein and can be used as a meal or snack with other foods. The key is to choose the right cheese for your trip and make sure you have some way of keeping it cool.

How Long Will Cheese Last On Backpacking?

Soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, and Feta are portable because they don’t need refrigeration. These cheeses also pack well in a cooler or vacuum-sealed bag with an icepack. However, they don’t keep well at room temperature, so they’re best eaten within two days of purchase.

Hard cheeses like Parmesan and Cheddar will last longer than soft cheeses but still require refrigeration after opening. They’re also much more difficult to transport because they’re harder to pack and heavy than soft cheeses.

Does Cheese Travel Well?

Cheese is a delicious and nutritious snack, but it doesn’t travel well. When you’re traveling, you need to think about keeping your cheese fresh. If you don’t have access to a refrigerator or cooler, your cheese may go bad after a few days.

How Do I Keep Cheese Fresh When Backpacking?

If you like cheese and you’re backpacking, it can be not easy to find a way to keep it fresh. The best way to store cheese is to keep it in an airtight container or zip bag in a cool place away from sunlight.

How Long Can Cheese Sit Out Backpacking?

The main thing is that cheese needs a refrigerator to stay fresh and may last just five days if it’s not kept cool. So, if you don’t have access to an ice chest or cooler, don’t bring any cheese at all!

If you’re going on a long hike or camping trip, keep your cheese refrigerated until you’re ready to pack it up. Then wrap it tightly in foil and place it in an insulated container like a lunchbox with extra ice packs.

Will Cheese Attract Pest To My Tent?

Cheese is made from milk, which attracts mice and other pests. If you are camping in an area with many mice or rats, then yes, again, the cheese will attract them. But if you are staying in a place where there are not many pests at all, then no, the cheese will not attract any pests at all.

Should I Take Cheese When Hiking?

Suppose you’re willing to handle it correctly. Cheese can be a great addition to any hike, providing energy and nutrients that will help keep you going. It also makes for a tasty snack when you get back to camp.

If you’re worried about packing too much weight into your backpack, don’t be. Cheese is light and compact, making it easy to carry on any hiking trip.

How Much Cheese Should I Take For A Three Days Journey?

As much as you can carry. There’s no such thing as too much cheese. A three-day journey will be over before you know it! You’ll have time to rest and recuperate, but not time for a proper meal. Bring along some cheese, fruit, and nuts to tide you over until you can find something better to eat (or someone willing to share).

How Much Cheese Should I Take For A Fourteen Days Trip?

A 5lb block of cheese should suffice for a 14-day trip. When you’re planning a long trip, you need to pack carefully. You can’t just throw everything in a bag and hope for the best. You need to ensure that you have all the gear you need to survive independently.

What To Eat With Cheese When Backpacking?

Cheese can be a great addition to a backpacking trip; It works best when you can pair it with other foods. Cheese tastes great on everything from Salad to bread, nuts, bagel, cracker, beer, and soup.

Does Backpacking Affect Cheese Flavor And Nutrition?

Backpacking does not affect the flavor or nutrient content of cheese. Although, sometimes, it is believed that backpacking enriches the taste of firm-aged cheese. An average backpacking trip that lasts for 10-14 days has no side effect on the cheese, except the cheese is not properly backpacked.

Backpacking can affect cheese flavor and nutrients if the trip is longer than anticipated and in extreme weather conditions. In this case, the shelf life of cheese will be shortened. Some cheese will not cope. Hence, they will begin to spoil or produce bad scents while others with lower moisture content get moldy with time.

It is pertinent to state that on average weather and not-too-long outdoor trips, backpacking has little or no side effect on the cheese’s flavor and nutrition.

Top 10 Best Cheese For Backpacking [Hard, Soft, Everything In Between]

If you’re going on a backpacking trip, chances are you’ll want to bring cheese along with you. It’s a great food that can be eaten almost any day or night. It’s also creamy and delicious, making it one of the best snacks for hiking.

But what kind of cheese should you bring on your next trip? There are so many options, and it cannot be easy to find the right one for your needs. Here are some of the best cheese for backpacking.

1. Cheddar

Cheddar is one of the best cheeses for backpacking. It is a hard cheese with lower moisture content; hence it does not spoil or get moldy easily. It can last for close to 2 weeks under an average temperature and 2-to 4 days at an extreme temperature.

You can pair cheddar with beef jerky, beer, or any wine. With this, cheddar is perceived by most outdoor enthusiasts as the best cheese for backpacking.

2. Gruyere

Second on the list is Switzerland’s Gruyere. It is mild, nutty, sweet, and a little bit salty. It is a hard cheese. Gruyere has a longer shelf life. In other words, it can not spoil easily while on a backpacking trip.

You can eat gruyere however you want, and you can melt it, eat on a cracker, or perhaps you can pair it with any drink of your choice; soft drinks, beer, or wine.

3. Guoda

Gouda is comfortably seated at no.3 for a couple of reasons. First, every gouda cheese usually comes enclosed in wax, making it longer and easier to take backpacking. Second, since Gouda has a wide variety of types, it is a base for interesting flavor combinations.

There is a lot to choose from, but some popular varieties include; black pepper, smoked Gouda, and jalapenos. Gouda can be eaten however you want. But most people prefer eating it by itself or on crackers.

4. Edam

Edam is similar to Gouda, although it does not come with varieties of flavor options like Gouda. It comes encased in a red wax, which unknowingly extends its shelf life and helps it last longer on a trip. It is sweet and a little bit lighter.

Edam can best be eaten with fruits or on crackers. Not that you can’t pair it with your favorite wine or beer, you can pair it with anything; so far, you are cool with the taste and flavor.

5. Parmesan

Parmesan, also known as Parmigiano-Reggiano, is another wonder cheese for backpacking. It is an Italian cheese produced from cow milk and aged for at least 12 months. Parmesan cheese is very versatile. It can be paired with a wide range of food, ranging from desserts to appetizers.

Parmesan flavor can vary depending on the ripening time. Depending on its maturity, it can pair with meals, drinks, fruits, etc.

6. Asiago

Asiago cheese is a semi-hard Italian cheese made from cow’s milk. It is most often used in grated form but can also be sliced or baked. Asiago has a slightly nutty taste and is sometimes described as having hints of hazelnuts and mushrooms. One of the cheeses recommended for high-altitude backpacking is because it doesn’t melt easily when subjected to heat and humidity.

7. Mozzarella

Mozzarella is an easy choice for backpacking cheese because it’s versatile and pairs well with anything. It melts easily and can be used on pizza or grilled cheese sandwiches. Plus, mozzarella stores well in its original packaging at room temperature until opened. Just make sure it doesn’t get too hot! The last thing you want is melted mozzarella all over your baggies!

8. Parmesan

Parmesan is an excellent choice for backpacking, especially if you’re cooking over a campfire. It’s hard and dry, which makes it easy to transport. When you’re ready to eat, grate it onto your food.

Parmesan can be used in various dishes, including pasta and pizza. While the flavor is rich and complex, there are no additional seasonings or additives. It’s also relatively inexpensive compared to other cheeses on this list.

9. Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is soft and spreadable but still has enough texture that it can be crumbled over salads or baked into cookies. It also has a tangy flavor that pairs well with savory foods such as meats and vegetables. You can also crumble goat cheese onto salads or use it as a topping on pizza or pasta.

10. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is probably the easiest type to travel with because it doesn’t require refrigeration (unlike soft cheeses). It is smooth and creamy and makes a great spread for bagels or biscuits. You can also eat it straight out of the package as a snack.

Cheeses are delicious treats for backpackers; taking them on a backpacking trip can be wonderful. However, not all cheese is good for backpacking. Firm, semi-firm, hard, and aged cheeses are best for backpacking, while soft and fresh cheeses are a no-go area.

Cheese happens to be a nice option for backpacking. It can be eaten however you want, as snacks, on crackers, and can be paired with fruits and any of your favorite drinks.