What Kind of Cheese Can You Take Backpacking?

By Alice Nichols

When it comes to backpacking, cheese isn’t always the first snack that comes to mind. But, believe it or not, cheese is an excellent snack choice for any outdoor enthusiast.

Not only does it provide a great source of protein and calcium, but it can also be a delicious way to break up the monotony of snacking on crackers and trail mix. With so many different types of cheese available, choosing the right one for your trip can seem overwhelming. To make things easier, here’s what you need to know about taking cheese backpacking.

Types of Cheese

When choosing a cheese for backpacking, there are a few things to consider. First, you’ll want to select a type that won’t spoil quickly in the heat.

Hard cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss and Parmesan are all good options as they can stand up to higher temperatures without going bad. Soft cheeses like Brie and Feta should be avoided as they don’t last long in warm weather.

Packaging

When packing cheese for your trip, you’ll want to look for vacuum-sealed packages that can be resealed after opening. This will help keep the cheese fresh for longer and reduce the risk of contamination from dust or dirt on the trail. You can also get pre-sliced packages of some types of cheese which make them easy to portion out and pack away.

Storage

When storing your cheese while backpacking, you should try to keep it away from direct sunlight and sources of heat such as engine exhaust pipes or campfires. The best way to do this is by wrapping it in an insulated pack liner or placing it inside a cooler if you have access to one.

This will help keep the temperature more consistent and reduce the risk of spoilage.

Conclusion:

For backpacking trips, hard cheeses like cheddar and Swiss are ideal due to their ability to withstand higher temperatures without going bad quickly. Be sure to purchase vacuum sealed packages that can be resealed after opening, and store them away from direct sunlight or sources of heat when out on the trail for best results.