Placeholder Content Image

Southern Australia is freezing. How can it be so cold in a warming climate?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-king-103126">Andrew King</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>People living in southern Australia won’t have failed to notice how cold it is. Frosty nights and chilly days have been the weather for many of us since the start of July.</p> <p>As winter continues, we are left wondering how unusual the cold is and whether we can expect several more months of this. Warmer conditions are in the forecast but winter has a long way to go. Further cold snaps could occur.</p> <p>Cold conditions have been in place across southern Australia for the past few days. Temperatures have fallen below zero overnight in many places.</p> <p>It’s not just the nights that have been cold. Maximum temperatures have also been below or well below average across most of the country.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=518&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=518&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/604809/original/file-20240704-20-l50kpt.gif?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=518&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Maximum temperatures have been below average across most of the continent since the last day of June.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/temp/index.jsp">Bureau of Meteorology</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>What’s causing the cold?</h2> <p>A <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/synoptic_col.shtml">persistent and strong high-pressure system</a> has been hanging around over southeast Australia. The atmospheric pressure was so high it approached the Australian record of 1,044.3 hPa set on June 7 1967. An <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-04/australias-highest-air-pressure-recorded-weather/104055462">initial observation</a> of a new record has since been disregarded, but nonetheless this is an exceptional, near-record high-pressure pattern.</p> <p>This high-pressure system has kept the weather dry but clear nights have allowed strong cooling of the land surface. The long nights and short days of early July mean that temperatures struggle to rise during the day and can fall quickly in the evenings.</p> <p>In winter we expect cold weather across most of Australia and occasional cold snaps that bring widespread frosty and icy conditions. However, this current cold weather is pretty unusual and we are seeing some records fall.</p> <p>Notably, Tasmania has had its <a href="https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/tasmanias-2ndcoldest-night-on-record/1889603">lowest July temperature on record</a> and the second-lowest minimum temperature for any time of year with –13.5°C at Liawenee in central Tasmania early on Thursday morning.</p> <p>While Tasmania has produced the most remarkable records, the cold conditions have been unusual elsewhere too. Adelaide recorded its lowest temperature in 18 years on Wednesday morning. And many suburbs of Melbourne experienced a sub-zero night and consecutive nights of <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/frost-and-ice/frost">ground frost</a>.</p> <h2>Winters are warming but cold spells still occur</h2> <p>As the world is warming, it might seem surprising we can still break cold records. Indeed, across Australia <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/change/timeseries.cgi?graph=tmean&amp;area=aus&amp;season=0608&amp;ave_yr=0&amp;ave_period=6190">winters have been warming</a>. The <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/change/extremes/trendmaps.cgi?map=CN05&amp;period=1950">frequency</a> and <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/change/extremes/trendmaps.cgi?map=TNmn&amp;period=1950">intensity</a> of very low temperatures have been decreasing over the past few decades.</p> <p>We also see many more hot records than cold records being set in Australia and around the globe. This is <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-hot-weather-records-continue-to-tumble-worldwide-86158">due to human-caused climate change</a>. However, when we have the right weather conditions, cold records are still occasionally broken locally.</p> <p>As we continue to warm the planet, it’s getting harder for us to find cold records, particularly over larger regions or longer time periods. While we still see record cold temperatures at individual weather stations, we won’t see another cold record in the global average temperature and probably not even in the Australian average temperature.</p> <p>As this week shows, we still occasionally get daily cold records in the current climate. But it’s much harder to get record cold months, and record cold years at a given location are almost impossible.</p> <p>As we average weather conditions across locations or over time, the climate change signal becomes clearer over background weather variability. It makes new cold records much less likely to occur.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=426&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=426&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=426&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=536&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=536&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/605048/original/file-20240704-21-7ep1rt.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=536&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="A graphic showing the increase in annual average temperature for Australia from 1910 to 2023" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">The climate change signal is becoming clearer as Australia’s annual average temperature continues to increase with each decade, widening the difference from the long-term mean.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/aus/#tabs=Temperature">Bureau of Meteorology</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>How much longer will this cold snap last?</h2> <p>Southern Australia is experiencing a cold snap at close to the coldest time of year. It’s not long after the winter solstice, when we experience the longest night of the year. We still have a few more cold days and nights ahead in parts of southeastern Australia.</p> <p>By early next week, the forecast suggests <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/viewer/index.shtml">warmer conditions</a> will return as the high-pressure system moves east and winds turn northerly.</p> <p>The outlook for the rest of winter points firmly to <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/overview/summary">above-average daytime and night-time temperatures</a>. This is partly because a historical average (1981–2018) is used and warming since then means above-average temperatures are going to happen most of the time.</p> <p>In any winter, Australia has cold outbreaks. So, even if the next few months are likely to be warmer than normal, we should expect a few cold days and nights at some point. Learning to live with the cold and improving the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2024/jul/03/why-so-many-australian-homes-are-either-too-hot-or-too-cold">quality of insulation in Australian homes</a> would help make our winter cold snaps seem a lot less harsh.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/233977/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-king-103126"><em>Andrew King</em></a><em>, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/southern-australia-is-freezing-how-can-it-be-so-cold-in-a-warming-climate-233977">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Domestic Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Dog care below freezing − how to keep your pet warm and safe from cold weather, road salt and more this winter

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/erik-christian-olstad-1505284">Erik Christian Olstad</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-california-davis-1312">University of California, Davis</a></em></p> <p>Time outside with your dog in the spring, summer and fall can be lovely. Visiting your favorite downtown café on a cool spring morning, going to a favorite dog park on a clear summer evening or going on walks along a river when the leaves are changing color are all wonderful when the weather is favorable. But in much of the country, when winter rolls around, previously hospitable conditions can <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-winter-miserable-for-wildlife-108734">quickly turn chilly and dangerous</a> for people and pups alike.</p> <p>Winter brings some unique challenges for dog owners, since dogs still need activity and socialization during colder seasons. Studies have shown that dog owners are almost 50% less likely to walk their dogs <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113302">when the weather gets cold</a>. Knowing the basics of winter safety is critical to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your dog.</p> <p>I am an <a href="https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/erik-olstad">assistant professor</a> at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who weathered polar vortexes with my dog while living in Michigan early in my career. While I’ve since moved to sunny California, I’ve seen how quickly frigid temperatures can turn dangerous for pets.</p> <h2>Breed and age differences</h2> <p>Not all dogs have the same abilities to deal with cold weather. A short-coated dog like a Chihuahua is much more susceptible to the dangers of cold weather than a thick-coated husky. When the weather dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), the well-acclimated husky may be comfortable, whereas the Chihuahua would shiver and be at risk of hypothermia.</p> <p>Additionally, if your dog is used to warm weather, but you decide to move to a colder region, the dog will need time to acclimate to that colder weather, even if they have a thick coat.</p> <p>Age also affects cold-weather resilience. Puppies and elderly dogs can’t withstand the chill as well as other dogs, but every dog is unique – each may have individual health conditions or physical attributes that make them more or less resilient to cold weather.</p> <h2>When is my dog too cold?</h2> <p>Pet owners should be able to recognize the symptoms of a dog that is getting too cold. Dogs will shiver, and some may vocalize or whine. Dogs may resist putting their feet down on the cold ground, or burrow, or try to find warmth in their environment when they are uncomfortable.</p> <p>Just like people, <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/frostbite-in-dogs">dogs can get frostbite</a>. And just like people, the signs can take days to appear, making it hard to assess them in the moment. The most common sites for frostbite in dogs are their ears and the tips of their tails. Some of the initial signs of frostbite are skin discoloring, turning paler than normal, or purple, gray or even black; red, blistered skin; swelling; pain at the site; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/ulcer">or ulceration</a>.</p> <p>Other <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/frostbite-in-dogs">serious signs of hypothermia</a> include sluggishness or lethargy, and if you observe them, please visit your veterinarian immediately. A good rule to live by is if it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your dog.</p> <p>Getting your dog a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/pets/best-winter-dog-coats-jackets">sweater or jacket</a> and <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/vets-corner/protect-dogs-paws-snow-ice-salt/">paw covers</a> can provide them with protection from the elements and keep them comfortable. Veterinarians also recommend closely monitoring your dog and limiting their time outside when the temperature nears the freezing point or drops below it.</p> <h2>Road salt dangers</h2> <p>Road salt that treats ice on streets and sidewalks <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/ice-salt-toxic-for-pets-1.5020088">can also harm dogs</a>. When dogs walk on the salt, the sharp, rough edges of the salt crystals can irritate the sensitive skin on their paws.</p> <p>Dogs will often lick their feet when they’re dirty, wet or irritated, and if they ingest any salt doing that, they may face GI upset, dehydration, kidney failure, seizures or even death. Even small amounts of pure salt can <a href="https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-tips/my-dog-ate-road-salt-will-they-be-okay/">disrupt critical body functions</a> in dogs.</p> <p>Some companies make pet-safe salt, but in public it can be hard to tell what type of salt is on the ground. After walking your dog, wash off their feet or boots. You can also keep their paw fur trimmed to prevent snow from balling up or salt collecting in the fur. Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly or <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/how-to-make-your-own-paw-balm-for-winter/">paw pad balm</a> to the skin of the paw pads can also help protect your pet’s paws from irritation.</p> <h2>Antifreeze risks</h2> <p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/antifreeze-chemical-substance">Antifreeze, or ethylene glycol</a>, is in most vehicles to prevent the fluids from freezing when it gets cold out. Some people pour antifreeze into their toilets when away from their home to prevent the water in the toilet from freezing.</p> <p>Antifreeze is an exceptionally dangerous chemical to dogs and cats, as it tastes sweet but can be deadly when ingested. If a pet ingests even a small amount of antifreeze, the substance causes a chemical cascade in their body that results in severe kidney damage. If left untreated, the pet may have <a href="https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owner-blog/antifreeze-poisoning/">permanent kidney damage or die</a>.</p> <p>There are safer antifreeze options on the market that use ingredients other than ethylene glycol. If your dog ingests antifreeze, please see your veterinarian immediately for treatment.</p> <p>When temperatures dip below freezing, the best thing pet owners can do is keep the time spent outside as minimal as possible. Try some <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/great-indoor-games-to-play-with-your-dog/">indoor activities</a>, like hide-and-seek with low-calorie treats, fetch or even an interactive obstacle course. Food puzzles can also keep your dog mentally engaged during indoor time.</p> <p>Although winter presents some unique challenges, it can still be an enjoyable and healthy time for you and your canine companion.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/221709/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/erik-christian-olstad-1505284">Erik Christian Olstad</a>, Health Sciences Assistant Professor of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-california-davis-1312">University of California, Davis</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/dog-care-below-freezing-how-to-keep-your-pet-warm-and-safe-from-cold-weather-road-salt-and-more-this-winter-221709">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

RECALL ALERT: Two popular Woolies cheeses spark listeria concerns

<p>Woolworths stores nationwide are issuing a recall on two popular Camembert cheese brands due to potential listeria contamination.</p> <p>The recall specifically pertains to two 125g Camembert cheese products that have been identified as having potential microbial contamination, specifically Listeria monocytogenes.</p> <p>The affected products are the Unicorn Classic Camembert from Snowbrand Australia, trading under the name Unicorn Cheese, and Community Co's French Style Camembert. Both of these cheeses carry Best Before dates of November 8, 2023.</p> <p>These products were available for purchase not only at Woolworths stores in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania but also at other retail outlets, including Natures Best, V &amp; C Food Distributors, and Bills Cheese and Yoghurts in New South Wales, as well as Our United Food Co in Queensland. Select independent stores, such as IGAs in Victoria and Queensland, also stocked these cheeses.</p> <p>Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women, their unborn babies, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.</p> <p>The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued a statement warning, "Listeria may cause illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly, and people with low immune systems." FSANZ advises any consumers who are concerned about their health in relation to these products to seek medical advice and return the items to the place of purchase for a full refund.</p> <p>The affected Camembert cheese products belong to Batch 123123E Est No 287.</p> <p>Consumers seeking more information can contact Snowbrand Australia (Unicorn Cheese) at 02 4423 1266.</p> <p><em>Images: FSANZ</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Don’t say cheese! Travel destinations where photos are illegal

<p dir="ltr">While many happy travellers love to immortalise their holiday with a collection of photos, there are some places that don’t allow for pics to be taken. </p> <p dir="ltr">In several destinations across the globe, tourists are actually banned from taking selfies and can even get fined for breaking the rules.</p> <p dir="ltr">So before you pull out your camera and strike a pose, you might want to check if what you’re snapping a photo of is legal. </p> <p dir="ltr">Here are just a few places where taking photos isn’t allowed. </p> <p><strong>The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The use of professional cameras and phones is strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel so don't even think about it. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to <a href="https://www.vaticancitytours.it/blog/are-cameras-allowed-in-the-vatican-city/#:~:text=Sistine%20Chapel&amp;text=The%20real%20reason%20for%20the,companies%20to%20fund%20the%20project.">VaticanCityTours,</a> the reason you can't take pictures dates back to 1980 when the chapel was restored due to damage caused by flash photography. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Mecca Pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In Saudi Arabia, it is against the law to take photos of worshippers during Hajj, otherwise known as their pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. </p> <p>This is due to it being disrespectful to snap people while they are on their religious journey. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>The Blue Mosque, Turkey</strong></p> <p>Taking a photo of the outside of the iconic Blue Mosque is totally okay, but snapping any photos of the interior is a big no. </p> <p>Visitors also must follow strict dress codes as well as other rules and regulations.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Anne Frank's House, Amsterdam</strong></p> <p>Taking photos or selfies in the House of Anne Frank is not allowed inside the museum due to its serious nature.</p> <p>There is a very sombre mood within the historical house, making it a time for reflection, not for flash photography. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Palace of Versailles, France</strong></p> <p>Photos of both the Palace and the surrounding gardens are strictly prohibited for all travellers. </p> <p>This is due to concerns about the preservation of artwork and the safety of visitors.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Garoupe Beach, France</strong></p> <p>The famous Garoupe beach in southern France banned holidaymakers from taking selfies during the busy season in the middle of summer.</p> <p dir="ltr">The law was first introduced to stop people from bragging about their holiday and just enjoy the stay rather than show off on social media.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

Why people get brain freeze

<p>It’s never fun when you are enjoying ice cream or a frozen drink, only to encounter a brain freeze. Here’s the biology behind a brain freeze and how you can cut it short next time you experience one.</p> <p><strong>How brain freeze is caused</strong></p> <p>1. Eating too fast: Eating at a fast pace can increase your chances of an ice cream headache. Gulping a frozen drink quickly can also do the same thing. Even if you are thirsty, it is important to remember to slow down when you are enjoying a slushie or smoothie.</p> <p>2. Prone to migraines: Brain freezes can happen to anyone but research shows that they are more common in migraine sufferers.</p> <p><strong>How brain freeze occurs</strong></p> <p>When cold hits the roof and back of your mouth, it is a shock to the system. Blood vessels constrict and limit blood flow and then quickly expand to let blood flow increase.</p> <p>This rapid contraction and expansion is believed to signal to pain receptors in the mouth that there is a problem.</p> <p>Dr Oz explained to <em>Good Housekeeping</em>, “The receptors send a distress signal to the trigeminal nerve, whose job it is to relay sensations in the mouth and face to the brain.”</p> <p>“Your body's favourite "Stop doing that!" signal is pain, and your cold-shocked system delivers that full-on, often to the front of your head or the area around your temples.”</p> <p>Brain freeze can last for a few seconds or a few minutes.</p> <p><strong>How to shorten brain freeze</strong></p> <p>When you have a brain freeze, it is best to warm the roof of your mouth. You can do this by pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth or drinking warm water.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Body

Placeholder Content Image

Can you freeze cheese?

<p>Dairy products are notoriously fussy when it comes to freezing. But when there’s a great sale at the supermarket, it’s hard to resist the siren call of a big discounted brick of cheese. It doesn’t last forever in the refrigerator, but can you freeze cheese?</p> <p>Yes – sometimes! The general rule of thumb is that freezing cheese will likely change its texture. If you do opt to freeze extra cheese, its best use after thawing is for cooking– the texture change becomes a moot point after it’s all melted. You probably don’t want to freeze the fancy stuff you bought for snacking on with homemade crackers, though. But frozen cheese, once thawed, would be perfect in a cheesy bake or casserole recipe.</p> <p><strong>Can you freeze mozzarella?</strong></p> <p>Blocks of mozzarella or shredded mozzarella are fine to freeze, though they tend to have a crumbly texture after freezing. Just avoid freezing fresh mozzarella, as its high water content has a likelihood of forming ice crystals.</p> <p><strong>Can you freeze cottage cheese?</strong></p> <p>Cottage cheese, along with ricotta cheese, can be frozen. However, upon thawing, both cheeses are likely to have a grainier texture. As with most frozen cheeses, thawed cottage and ricotta cheeses are best used in baked or cooked recipes.</p> <p><strong>Can you freeze cheese slices?</strong></p> <p>Yep! For prepackaged sliced cheese, just pop the package into a freezer bag and place it in the freezer. For deli-sliced cheese, place a piece of parchment paper in between each slice of cheese. Then wrap the cheese in freezer paper, tape shut and place the whole package in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.</p> <p><strong>Can you freeze shredded cheese?</strong></p> <p>For prepackaged shredded cheese, place the package in a freezer bag before putting it in the freezer. For cheese you shred or grate yourself, place it in a freezer bag and carefully remove as much air as possible from the bag.</p> <p>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/kitchen-tips/can-you-freeze-cheese-yes-heres-what-you-need-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</p> <p><em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Image: Getty</span></em></p> <p> </p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

Why is cheese so stinky?

<p>For those who partake, cheese can be one of the most delicious, yet sometimes stinky, parts of a good meal. Everything from a charcutier board to a pizza becomes infinitely better with some cheese.</p> <p>But cheese has some deep, dark secrets in its yellow interior – and most of them involve large quantities of mould.</p> <h3>How did we even get cheese in the first place?  </h3> <p>Researchers think that we’ve been eating cheese for a very long time. <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/study-finds-europeans-have-been-eating-cheese-for-at-least-7200-years/">In 2018,</a> archaeologists discovered pieces of ancient pottery in modern day Croatia that had fatty acid residues on it that could have been cheese.  </p> <p>The team suggested that these early farmers could have been eating cheese from at least 7,200 years ago. To put that in perspective, that’s at least three thousand years before the first Egyptian dynasty.</p> <p>Unfortunately, scientists don’t know what that sort of cheese would have been like, but the evidence suggests that many early cheeses were like cottage cheese.</p> <p>According <a href="https://www.idfa.org/history-of-cheese" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to the International Dairy Foods Association</a>, cheese could have been an accidental discovery. Rennet – a group of enzymes located in sheep or cow stomachs – cause milk to curdle. If a cow or sheep’s stomach was used for milk transportation, the rennet will start the process of cheese-making and create curds and whey. This dairy-like substance is heading in the direction of cheese.</p> <h3>How do we make cheese?</h3> <p>Today’s cheese making is pretty similar to how they did it back then – but with a lot more microbes added to the process.</p> <p>Instead of rennet to curdle the milk, today many producers use chymosin – which is the chief enzyme in rennet.  If you genetically engineer the yeast by inserting rennet genes from animals into the yeast genome they’ll happily pump out chymosin for all our cheese making needs. But be warned, you’ll need vats of the stuff.</p> <p>Whey is not really used in cheese making, but the curds are where the cheese process really starts.</p> <p>These blobs of a white, kind of squeaky substance is then processed into different forms to make different cheeses. Mozzarella is stretched and kneaded to its dough-like texture, while cheddar undergoes ‘cheddaring’ – a process where curds are stacked on top of each other to push out moisture and create a harder, denser cheese.</p> <p>For other cheeses, there’s a secret ingredient missing – microbes. Many different varieties need to go through a process of ‘ripening’, where microbes, like fungi and bacteria, are added to the base cheese and then left to sit.</p> <p>Brie and camembert get sprayed with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penicillium_camemberti" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Penicillium camemberti</a> mould and left from four to five weeks to get their white outside and soft squishy interior.</p> <p>Blue cheese, on the other hand is injected with spores from Penicillium roqueforti to be able to create those blue veins of mould.</p> <p>But these moulds all pale in comparison to a particularly stinky type of bacteria called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brevibacterium_linens" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brevibacterium linens</a>. This bacterium is used to ferment particularly funky cheeses like Munster, but it’s also the bacteria which causes human foot odour. Just think about that next time you’re having some cheese on crackers!</p> <h2>Cheese dreams?</h2> <p>It’s a commonly-held belief that eating cheese can give you nightmares.</p> <p>And in fact, <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/explainer-can-cheese-make-you-have-weird-dreams/">scientists have put this to the test.</a> A 2005 study – conducted by the British Cheese Board – asked participants to eat 20 grams of cheese half an hour before going to bed every night for a week. When they woke up, they immediately wrote down any dreams.</p> <p>Participant were assigned a type of cheese: stilton, cheddar, red Leicester, British brie, Lancashire and Cheshire.</p> <p>None of the 200 volunteers reported having nightmares, but delightfully, 83 per cent of the participants that ate red Leicester had pleasant dreams.</p> <p>Cheddar, on the other hand, led to dreams about celebrities, while Cheshire led to no dreams more than half of the time.</p> <p>Although this study is heaps of fun, we can’t comment on the scientific rigor of the British Cheese Board, so you should probably take the story with a grain of salt.</p> <p>If you want even more cheesy facts, find out about raw cheese, and endure plenty of cheese puns, keep an ear out for a whole episode on cheese for the ‘Huh? Science Explained’ podcast on the <a href="https://www.listnr.com/podcasts/huh-science-explained" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LISTNR app</a>, or anywhere you get your podcasts. </p> <p>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/podcast/why-is-cheese-so-stinky-huh-podcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos</a>.</p> <p> </p> <div id="cosmos-link-back" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: halyard-text, sans-serif; scroll-margin-top: 180px; background-color: #ffffff;"></div>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

"It's mad!" Steve Price goes ballistic over Greens rent freeze proposal

<p>Steve Price has clashed with a Greens MP over their party's idea of a rent freeze, calling the proposal "mad".</p> <p>Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather spoke with the <em>The Project</em> on Thursday night to discuss the Greens' proposal, which was met with a frosty reception. </p> <p>Earlier this week, The Greens urged the government to impose a nationwide rent freeze for two years, citing the sharp increases in rent that have outstripped wage rises in recent months.</p> <p>The minor party has also called for future rent increases, beyond the proposed freeze period, to be capped at 2 per cent every two years.</p> <p>When Mr Chandler-Mather explained the proposal to the panel, the questions came flooding in. </p> <p>“Max, this does sound vaguely like socialism, possibly even communism. How would it work in practice?” host Hamish Macdonald asked.</p> <p>“I wouldn’t call it socialism or communism. I’d call it what is being done around the world, and (what has) worked. Victoria froze rents for six months during the pandemic, and what we are saying now is we are in a worse housing crisis even than in the pandemic, and we need an urgent national response," Mr Chandler-Mather replied.</p> <p>“What we’re proposing today is a two-year national rent freeze, because rents are out of control. They’ve increased seven times faster than wages since the pandemic began.”</p> <p>“It is not a crazy proposal ... I think it is a moderate proposal for what is a national crisis," he said. </p> <p>As he went on to cite other global examples of a similar scheme working to protect renters, Steve Price jumped in. </p> <p>“Max, you call it moderate. I call it mad,” he said.</p> <p>“What do you say to landlords who, over the next two years or so, are going to have an increase to their mortgage repayments, council rates are going up, repairs on rental properties are going up, it’s hard to get tradesmen – they are just expected to wear this increase in cost with no rent going up."</p> <p>“They’re going to bail on the market, they’re going to sell their properties, and you’re going to collapse the real estate market. It’s mad, mate!”</p> <p>“Well I don’t think the real estate market collapsed in Victoria when they froze rents for six months,” Mr Chandler-Mather said.</p> <p>“There was a six-month rent freeze in Victoria, but similarly in British Colombia or in New York or Scotland-” said the Greens MP.</p> <p>Price interrupted saying, “We’re not in British Columbia, New York or Scotland, we’re in Australia.”</p> <p>“We’ve got a rental system that works. There are a lot of great landlords. There are even landlords who, during Covid, made the rent cheaper for people because they wanted to look after good tenants. You’re trying to blow up a system that actually works.”</p> <p>“I think you just need to talk to the 2.7 million renters who are in severe rental stress at the moment and ask them if the housing market is working,” countered Mr Chandler-Mather.</p> <p>The pair continued their feisty back and forth before the interview drew to a close, where Macdonald thanked the MP for being “a good sport”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: The Project</em></p>

Real Estate

Placeholder Content Image

The Ultimate Mac and Cheese

<p dir="ltr">The crumbly top is the perfect partner for a decadent cheese sauce. </p> <h2 dir="ltr">Ingredients</h2> <p dir="ltr">• 400g dried macaroni</p> <p dir="ltr">• Melted butter, for greasing</p> <p dir="ltr">• 1 bunch chives, chopped</p> <p dir="ltr">• Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to season</p> <p dir="ltr">• 1 thick slice sourdough</p> <p dir="ltr">• 70g cheddar, grated</p> <p dir="ltr">• 20g butter, melted</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Cheese sauce</p> <p dir="ltr">• 40g butter</p> <p dir="ltr">• 1 brown onion, roughly chopped</p> <p dir="ltr">• 4 rashers (250g) rindless bacon, thinly sliced</p> <p dir="ltr">• ¼ cup plain flour</p> <p dir="ltr">• 3¼ cups milk</p> <p dir="ltr">• 180g cheddar, grated</p> <h2 dir="ltr">Method</h2> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Cook macaroni in a large saucepan of salted boiling water following pack instructions. Drain well, then return macaroni to pan.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease an 8-cup capacity baking dish with melted butter.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">To make cheese sauce, melt butter in a large deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add onion and bacon and cook, stirring, for 5-10 minutes or until onion has softened. Add flour and stir until combined, then cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and gradually add milk, stirring continuously until smooth and combined.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Pour sauce over macaroni, then add chives and stir to combine. Season with salt and white pepper, then transfer macaroni and sauce mixture to prepared dish.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Process sourdough in a food processor until crumbs form. Transfer crumbs to a small bowl, then add cheddar and melted butter. Stir to combine.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Scatter crumb mixture over macaroni and bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately.</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">Cook’s tips</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a7d76719-7fff-5dfd-78a0-e2c24c95b0c4"></span></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Add an adequate amount of salt when to your water when boiling your pasta. Well seasoned pasta is the key to great mac and cheese.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Always opt for smaller varieties of pasta, preferably hollow to hold plenty of that irresistible cheesy sauce. Elbow pasta is the classic choice but other shapes including fusilli, conchiglie or farfalle work as well.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Perfect your bechamel. Remember to constantly stir the sauce and cook off the flour well. Making sure the milk doesn’t boil is vital, and when adding your choice of grated cheese, do it in stages ensuring it melts completely before adding more.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">If you do have some spare cream in the fridge, replace some of the milk with it for a richer and silkier bechamel.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">To elevate the flavour profile of your dish, add some spices or extra ingredients. Try mustard powder, garlic, chilli or nutmeg.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Don’t limit to yourself to one type of cheese, try adding a trio. Whether it’s gruyère, brie or even something stronger like blue or parmesan.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">This recipe already incorporates bacon, but if you want to make it meat-free, try adding sautéed mushrooms, seasonal herbs, caramelised onions or even sundried tomatoes.</p> </li> </ul> <p><em>Image: Better Homes & Gardens</em></p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

10 foods you had no idea you could freeze

<p>Who knew the coldest area of your fridge could house more than just microwavable pizza and leftover bolognaise sauce? Here are 10 surprising freezable foods that will result in a whole lot less food being wasted and a whole lot more money being saved!</p> <p><strong>Egg Whites</strong></p> <p>The essential ingredient behind all manner of meringue-based eats can last up to 12 months within the coldest of your kitchen’s confines. Egg experts maintain these will work the best if thawed within the fridge the night before baking. Thanks, eggsperts!</p> <p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;"><strong>Butter</strong></span></span></p> <p>This kitchen staple is a great food to store in the freezer, especially if you don’t think you’ll use it all by the sell-by date. The original packaging should protect it from freezer burn, but store the butter in a freezer bag if you don’t plan on using it in the immediate future. (This will also protect it from smelly foods.)</p> <p><strong>Buttermilk</strong></p> <p>Pancakes’ delicious DNA lasts slightly longer in a refrigerator than it does in your mouth. Solve that by first freezing buttermilk in ice trays, and then place them in some sort of resealable food storage container. The resulting cow cubes will last for up to three months!</p> <p><strong>Bread</strong></p> <p>Carbs do indeed like the cold. Sliced sandwich bread can last over three months within the ol’ ice box while a baguette can maintain for a month, and subsequently be returned to its former Gallic glory via dousing it with a wee bit of water before it hits the oven. Vive la France!</p> <p><strong>Potato chips &amp; pretzels</strong></p> <p>Are you both a snack enthusiast and a fan of buying in bulk? Do the latter and have no worry about the sell-buy date of the former once you pile your Smith’s and Kettle chips into our freezing friend. Not only does the chill double their sell-by date, but the cold actually adds to their crispy content. Just remember to vacuum your couch cushions when you’re done.</p> <p><strong>Avocados</strong></p> <p>These addictive little guacamole makers aren’t cheap. Freeze your financial addiction to “alligator pears” by, well, freezing them. Cut the fruit in half, peel, then quickly place your hors d’oeuvres ornament within the fridge’s bristly basement for best/future results. <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/osteoarthritis/18-anti-inflammatory-foods-eat-reduce-pain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Along with avocados, find out the best anti-inflammatory foods to eat to reduce pain.</a></p> <p><strong>Corn on the cob </strong></p> <p>Corn on the cob is a culinary staple for summer barbecues and parties, and if you wish you could chow down year round, you’re in luck. You can stock up on fresh sweet corn just as it’s going out of season and freeze it for up to a year. Seal your corn in freezer bags, with the husks and silk still intact, and store immediately after buying it.</p> <p><strong>Herbs</strong></p> <p>Some gardening enthusiasts dry and store herbs until a recipe calls for them, but this method can diminish the flavour. Freezing herbs like basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, or mint (just to name a few) keeps them in prime condition to be added to a meal. Here’s how to do it, courtesy of TasteofHome.com: Chop herbs finely, place in ice cube trays, cover with water or olive oil and freeze. Once frozen, place in a freezer bag. Take out cubes as needed to add to stews, soups and casseroles. However, frozen herbs will be too limp to use as a garnish.</p> <p><strong>Nuts</strong></p> <p>Freezing nuts helps preserve their natural oils. Store in an air-tight container or wrap well in plastic and put in a freezer bag, and they can stay good for up to eight months.</p> <p><strong>Hard Cheese</strong></p> <p>Although previously frozen cheese is perfectly safe to eat, the texture changes and becomes more crumbly, so only do this if you plan on using the cheese in recipes and not as part of a cheese platter. Wrap block cheese in airtight wrapping or put it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. You can also grate the cheese in one or two cup servings and freeze in a bag. It will last for about six months.</p> <p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/kitchen-tips/10-foods-you-had-no-idea-you-could-freeze?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

NATIONAL RECALL: Aldi issues Listeria alert for popular cheese

<p><em>Image: News.com.au</em></p> <p>Aldi has issued an urgent national recall on two of its popular cheese products amid a suspected disease outbreak that could lead to illness in pregnant women.</p> <p>The popular supermarket chain announced a recall on Snackers Market Little Pickers Cubed Tasty Cheese and Mini Crackers (35g), and Little Pickers Cubed Tasty Cheese and Pretzels (40g) due to a suspected Listeria infection.</p> <p>Food Standards Australia and New Zealand said the cheese had been sold at Aldi stores nationwide, with the recall applying to all products marked with the use by dates up to the 3rd of February 2022.</p> <p>“Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund,” Aldi said in its recall notice.</p> <p>This is the second cheese recall this week announced by FSA, with consumers being urged to avoid eating the Good To Go brand Tasty Cheese Salami and Cabanossi products from a range of IGA and Woolworths supermarkets and featuring certain use-by dates.</p> <p>A suspected Listeria infection is also at fault.</p> <p>Manassen Foods Australia said the Mild Salami Bite use-by dates of concern are December 21, 24, and January 13, while the Cabanossi dates are December 15 and 23.</p> <p>The products have been available for sale at Woolworths and independent grocery stores including IGAs in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, SA and WA.</p> <p>Monta Foods last week recalled its YBC Picola Strawberry 58.8g product because of an undeclared egg allergen.</p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

Rejoice! The local Aussie businesses returning home

<p>After more than a decade of foreign ownership, many iconic Australian brands are returning home.</p> <p>This is due to Bega Cheese Limited completing its acquisition of Lion Dairy and Drinks which has iconic brands such as Dairy Farmers, Farmers Union, Yoplait, Big M and Daily Juice.</p> <p>"We are delighted to bring many Australian iconic brands to the Bega Cheese family," Executive Chairman Barry Irvin told<span> </span><em>A Current Affair</em>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">After more than a decade of foreign ownership, a group of iconic local products are being returned to Australian shores. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9ACA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9ACA</a><a href="https://t.co/rrLOCuUKZk">https://t.co/rrLOCuUKZk</a></p> — A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACurrentAffair9/status/1354126960369274888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2021</a></blockquote> <p>"Dairy Farmers and Farmers Union were founded before federation, some 120 years ago, and some dairy farming families that have supplied dairy farmers for that entire period of time."</p> <p>Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith was also thrilled with the news</p> <p>"It's absolutely fantastic to think that all these brands that were foreign-owned and bought by big American companies and European companies are now coming back to Australian hands," entrepreneur of Australian products, Dick Smith said.</p> <p>"People talk about Australian made and that's good, but Australian made and owned is important because the profits stay here, the wealth stays here."</p> <p>The $534 million dollar deal will result in Bega doubling in size as a company, with an estimated $3 billion in revenue.</p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

Iconic Coon cheese unveils new name after racism claims

<p>The makers of Coon Cheese have rebranded after bowing to public pressure amid racism claims.</p> <p>The cheese was originally named "Coon" after American cheese pioneer Edward William Coon, but the word is also a racist slur against people of colour.</p> <p>The 85-year-old dairy product will now be known as "Cheer cheese" from July, a decision that was made six months ago in response to growing criticisms of racism.</p> <p>“The name Cheer has the significance of pleasure and joy,’ Saputo chief executive Lino A. Saputo said.</p> <p>“We took some time to think about this, we wanted to do the proper due diligence and consulted with different focus groups and we narrowed it down to three to five names and resoundingly consumers thought this was the right reflection of what we’re bringing for families."</p> <p>“CHEER Cheese is a cheese for everyone, and we trust our valued consumers and those who are new to our products will embrace this new name.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839455/coon-hero-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/63fa2e0e265449e9a8203b0e193c4cec" /></p> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>The company announced the decision six months ago as the Black Lives Movement gained momentum around the globe.</p> <p>“At Saputo, one of our basic principles as an organisation is to treat people with respect and without discrimination and we will not condone behaviour that goes against this,” the company said in a statement.</p> <p>Despite the cheerful name change, there was an outpouring of anger on social media after the name change was announced.</p> <p>One person said: “Absolutely bulls..t. I won’t ever call it that.”</p> <p>“I’m an Aussie and our Coon cheese is getting a name change to cheer cheese – another Aussie icon name gone,” another said.</p> <p>“How ridiculous. It may well be a racist slur, but was the gentleman’s surname. Cheer cheese? I mean, really?” one woman wrote.</p> <p>The new products will be on supermarket shelves nationwide from July 2021.</p> </div>

Food & Wine

Our Partners