Cheese Delivery Guide

Everything you need to know about ordering cheese online from The Norfolk Deli — how we cut, pack and dispatch your cheese, when we send it, what to expect from delivery, and what happens if your parcel is delayed.

When you order cheese online from The Norfolk Deli, your cheese is cut fresh to order from our cheese counter in Hunstanton, Norfolk, carefully wrapped and packed before being sent directly to you.

We know that ordering artisan cheese online can raise a few questions. How is it packed? Does it need to remain refrigerated throughout its journey? When will it be dispatched? What happens if the courier is delayed?

This guide answers those questions and explains why cheese is often considerably more resilient in transit than people expect.

 

 When do we dispatch cheese? 

We dispatch cheese orders Monday to Thursday. We deliberately avoid dispatching cheese on Fridays because we don't want parcels unnecessarily sitting within the courier network over the weekend.

Orders are sent using a next-day courier service wherever possible, although courier delivery dates cannot be guaranteed and occasional delays can occur.

 Do you offer next-day cheese delivery? 

We use a next-day courier service for our cheese deliveries and aim to get your order to you as promptly as possible.

However, next-day delivery is a courier service rather than a guarantee. Traffic, weather, depot issues and other circumstances can occasionally cause a parcel to take longer than expected.

If that happens, it doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong with your cheese.

Hard cheese, soft cheese and blue cheese behave differently

Not all cheese responds in the same way.

Hard cheeses are the most resilient. Cheddar, Parmesan-style cheeses, Gruyère, Comté and similar cheeses generally cope very well with short periods outside perfect refrigeration.

Semi-soft and washed-rind cheeses may become smellier or softer in transit, but that does not automatically mean they are unsafe.

Soft cheeses such as Brie-style or Camembert-style cheeses need more care. They may ripen faster if delayed and should be refrigerated promptly on arrival.

Blue cheeses naturally have stronger aromas and visible mould cultures. A powerful smell is often normal, but sour, rancid or unpleasant smells are not

How to judge your cheese on arrival

Use your senses.

Cheese is usually fine if:

  • the packaging is intact
  • the cheese smells like cheese, even if stronger than expected
  • there is no excessive liquid
  • there is no slimy surface
  • there is no sour, rancid or obviously unpleasant smell
  • the cheese looks broadly as expected

Please contact us if:

  • the cheese is warm, wet and visibly deteriorated
  • the packaging has failed
  • the cheese has an unusual sour or rancid smell
  • soft cheese appears collapsed, slimy or leaking excessively
  • you are genuinely unsure

Why we cannot guarantee courier delivery dates

The main thing to remember

A delayed cheese delivery is understandably annoying.

But it is rarely a disaster.

Cheese is a traditional, resilient food. When packed properly and refrigerated on arrival, most delayed cheese parcels arrive in excellent condition and remain perfectly enjoyable.

If your parcel is delayed, please do not panic. Refrigerate the cheese when it arrives, assess it calmly, and contact us if you have any concerns.

 What should I do when my cheese arrives? 

Once your cheese arrives, place it in the refrigerator as soon as practical. If your parcel has experienced a short delay, refrigerate the cheese and allow it to return to its normal chilled condition before assessing it.

How cheese is wrapped and stored can make a significant difference to its condition, flavour and lifespan.

For detailed advice, click below to read our "How to Store Cheese Properly guide" 

How to Store Cheese Properly Guide