Bushra Griffith
Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in many dishes, from salads to quiches. Its distinctive salty taste is due to the brine, a combination of water and salt, that it is packaged in. The brine not only flavours the cheese but also preserves it, preventing it from drying out and becoming sour. However, some people may find the saltiness of feta cheese too intense. One way to reduce the salt content is to rinse the cheese with water before consumption. This practice is especially useful for those who are sensitive to salt or have lactose intolerance. By rinsing the cheese, individuals can decrease the saltiness while still enjoying the unique flavour and texture of feta.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rinse feta cheese to | Make it less salty |
| Rinse feta cheese before storing it in | Olive oil |
| Rinse feta cheese if it's been in | Sour brine |
| Rinse feta cheese under | Very cold water |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Rinsing feta cheese to reduce saltiness
Feta cheese is often packaged in brine, a combination of water and salt that flavours and preserves the cheese. The brine gives feta its characteristic salty punch. If you find the cheese too salty, there are a few methods to reduce its saltiness.
One way is to rinse the cheese with water before eating it. You can run the feta under very cold water for about 10 seconds to clear away any brine. However, some people advise against rinsing feta cheese as the salt is there to preserve it. Instead, they suggest only rinsing or desalinating the portion you intend to eat.
Another method to reduce the saltiness of feta cheese is to soak it in milk for up to 24 hours before using it. This method is recommended by several cheesemakers.
If you want to reduce the saltiness of feta cheese without rinsing or soaking, you can store it in plain water. This will help maintain the crumbly texture of the cheese without adding extra flavour. Additionally, when storing feta cheese, you can make your brine by combining water with a lower concentration of salt. A lighter brine will result in less salty feta cheese.
Feta Cheese: Healthy or Not?
You may want to see also
Storing feta cheese in brine
Feta cheese is traditionally made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk. It is cured and stored in brine—a solution of salt dissolved in water. The brine both flavours and preserves the cheese, giving it a salty taste.
If your feta cheese comes packaged in brine, it can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week after the expiration date. If you wish to store it for longer, you can make your own brine. To do this, dissolve 2 teaspoons of kosher salt in 1 cup of water in an airtight container, then submerge the cheese in the water, ensuring that the cheese is completely covered. Seal the container and refrigerate it. The feta will keep for up to 3–4 weeks.
If you prefer your feta less salty, you can store it in plain water instead of brine. This will pull out some of the salt from the feta, reducing its salinity. You can also store feta in a milk bath, which will make the cheese creamier and less salty, although it will not preserve it for as long as brine.
Feta Cheese: A Healthy, Flavorful Choice
You may want to see also
Making your own brine
Feta cheese is a perishable good with a limited shelf life, even when properly stored. To preserve it, you can make your own brine by mixing water and salt.
Firstly, it is important to use the right type of salt. It is recommended to use kosher salt or sea salt when making brine. Table salt does not have the same effect and will not keep the cheese firm.
Secondly, the ratio of salt to water is important. A brine solution is typically around 7-8% salinated water by weight, which means 70-80 grams of salt for every 1 kilogram of water. If you are measuring in cups, you can dissolve 2 teaspoons of kosher salt in 1 cup of water. If you want to make a larger batch, you can double or triple the amount of water and salt.
The water should be at room temperature when mixing the brine. If you find it difficult to dissolve the salt, you can heat half of the water, dissolve the salt in it, and then combine it with cold water. Make sure the brine is no longer warm before using it.
Once you have made the brine, cut the leftover feta cheese into cubes and place them in the brine, ensuring that all pieces of cheese are covered well. Seal the container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks. When you are ready to use the feta, take the cubes out of the brine, rinse them under water, and then use as desired.
Whipping Feta Cheese: Easy, Quick, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Rinsing feta cheese before crumbling
Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in dishes like salads, pasta, and sandwiches. It is often crumbled or mashed and added to various recipes. While feta cheese is a versatile and tasty ingredient, it can be a little tricky to handle due to its salty flavour and crumbly texture.
When it comes to rinsing feta cheese before crumbling it, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to understand the role of brine in storing feta cheese. Brine, a combination of water and salt, is the liquid that feta cheese is often packaged in. It serves as a flavouring agent, giving feta its distinctive salty taste, and also helps to preserve the cheese.
If you find the feta cheese too salty, rinsing it before crumbling can be a good idea. Running the cheese under very cold water for about 5 to 10 seconds can help remove excess salt and brine, reducing the sodium content slightly. This technique is especially useful if you plan to use the feta in dishes where you want to control the saltiness, such as salads or recipes that require smaller pieces of cheese.
However, it is essential to note that brine also plays a crucial role in preserving the cheese. If you rinse the feta cheese, it is recommended to return it to the brine solution or make your own brine by combining water and salt. This will help maintain the freshness and safety of the cheese. Simply place the cheese back in the brine and store it in the refrigerator.
Additionally, there are alternative methods to crumbling feta cheese. Instead of rinsing, you can cut the desired amount of cheese from the block and crumble it using a fork or your hands. Another option is to place the sliced cheese in a freezer bag and break it into pieces with your fingers, which is convenient when you need a larger amount of crumbled feta.
In summary, rinsing feta cheese before crumbling can be done to reduce saltiness, but it should be followed by proper storage in brine to ensure the cheese stays fresh and safe for consumption. Alternatively, you can crumble the cheese without rinsing and adjust the seasoning in your recipes accordingly.
Sheep's Feta Cheese: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Soaking feta in milk
Feta cheese is stored and cultured in a whey brine—a combination of water and salt—which gives it its distinctive salty taste. If you find the saltiness too strong, you can rinse the cheese with water or soak it in milk.
To soak feta in milk, first rinse the cheese under a cold tap for about a minute, then tip the rinsed feta into a bowl. Pour milk into the bowl on top of the feta cheese, ensuring that the milk covers all of the cheese. You can soak the feta in milk for up to 24 hours before using it. This technique is especially useful if you are sensitive to salt.
If you wish to store feta cheese for a long period without increasing its saltiness, you can use a milk bath. Place the feta into an airtight container and cover it with milk. Cover the container with a lid and store it in the refrigerator. This method will keep the feta fresh for up to three months.
Storing Feta Cheese: Best Practices for Longevity
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can rinse feta cheese before eating it, especially if you find it too salty. Rinsing it with water or soaking it in milk for up to 24 hours can reduce its salt content.
If you want to rinse feta cheese, cut a slice and run it under very cold water for about 10 seconds. This will wash away any brine and firm up the cheese, making it easier to crumble.
Feta cheese is often packaged in brine, a combination of water and salt that preserves the cheese and gives it a salty taste. Rinsing the cheese removes the excess salt, which may be preferable for those sensitive to salt or who find the cheese too salty.
Feta brine can be used in cooking to add a salty kick to dishes. You can splash it into a salad or salad dressing, use it as a marinade for meat or vegetables, or drizzle it over food after grilling or roasting.
