A cheese rind is actually a very useful part of a wheel of cheese. As the outer layer of the cheese, the rind begins to develop into a harder exterior crust that helps to hold in the moisture and flavor of the remainder of the cheese. While the cheese rind is harder than the remainder of the cheese wheel, it is still easily cut with a cheese knife or any sharp object.

Cheese rinds typically are not considered to be particularly good for eating. Part of the issue is that the outer edges of cheese wheels are much dryer than the interior sections. Also, as the cheese rind develops and toughens, it also loses some of the flavor inherent in the cheese. Many people do not think in terms of doing anything with the cheese rind, other than removing it and tossing it away.

However, a cheese rind actually can be a great addition to various recipes. By taking the time to cut the cheese rind into sections and allow it to finish drying, the rind can easily be ground into fine particles. These particles can easily be used as a way to add seasoning to different types of dishes. For example, the ground cheese rind can be sprinkled into hot soups, giving them a slight hint of cheese flavor.

Sprinkling the ground sections of cheese rind onto the tops of casseroles or as an extra topping along with French fried onions can add an unexpected bit of zip to the dish. As a way to season dried beans during the slow cooking process, the cheese rind will help bring out the natural flavor of the beans, requiring less in the way of seasonings with meat drippings.

Storing the hardened rind is not difficult at all. The easiest way is to take the sections of cheese rind, cut the sections into manageable sized pieces and slip them into an airtight bag. If you do not plan on using them soon, place the bag of cheese rind pieces into the freezer for later. An alternative is to allow the cheese rind to completely dry and then process the pieces in your hand chopper. For a finer texture, use a food processor and get as close to a powder consistency as possible. Again, store in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. The cheese rind powder will be ready for use at any time, and will stay fresh for several months.