for the curing process, i believe you are supposed to have them sealed tightly in a very clean jar. . if you can open up the jar 3-4 times a day and move the buds around to get some air that would be very good. . you should atleast do it twice a day. . ide say 1-2 weeks for my cures, longer would be better im sure.. i can never wait and start smokin little nugs little by little until my cure is done. . as far as the smell, i think it will come back, maybe when your cure is done and you break open a nug it will smell cheezy once again. . eventhough i think ive heard that the cheese has a sort of fruity smell inside..