The new Cheese Vault from California company CapaBunga creates a mini cheese cave in the fridge to store hard cheese so it won’t become moldy or dry out ($29 to $36). Made of silicone, both ridged bottom and snug-fitting top direct excess moisture away to create the right environment for cheese to breathe. Store one large wedge or two smaller pieces; a removable divider prevents them from mingling. You can kill cheese by storing it in plastic — which many people do — for it prevents moisture from escaping, causing bacteria to grow. Expensive specialty papers can only be used so many times, and waxed paper requires continual rewrapping. Available in orange, green, white, yellow, and beige, the Vault has one polished side to write the name of the cheese and the date you stored it; just erase for new arrivals. Available at KitchenWares by Blackstones, 215 Newbury St., Boston, 857-366-4237; Bells & Whistles, 68 Leonard St., Belmont, 617- 489-2500; Shubie’s Marketplace, 16 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, 781-631-0149; Kitchen Outfitters, 342 Great Road, Acton, 978-263-1955; or go to www.capabunga.com.
Ann Trieger Kurland can be reached at atrieger@comcast.net.