Feta Cheese Longevity: Athenos Feta's Surprising Shelf Life

Feta cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient, but how long does it last? The answer depends on a few factors, including the type of feta, how it's stored, and whether it's been opened.

Athenos feta cheese is a popular brand that comes in a variety of forms, including blocks, crumbles, and pre-crumbled.

Feta cheese in brine can last 3-6 months

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient, perfect for jazzing up an omelette or adding to a salad. But how long does it last? Well, it depends on how it's stored.

If you're planning on using your feta within a few days, you can simply wrap the cheese in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Stored like this, feta will last 5-7 days.

For a longer-term option, you can submerge the feta in brine. This will keep the cheese good for about a month or even longer. Make sure the cheese is fully immersed in the brine and keep it in the refrigerator.

If you need even more time, you can freeze leftover feta. Wrap the cheese tightly in plastic freezer wrap or place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen feta will maintain its quality for about 6 months, but the texture and taste may change, so it's best used in cooked dishes.

To maximise the shelf life of feta, always keep it refrigerated and, if possible, fully immersed in brine.

Feta cheese without brine lasts 5-7 days

Feta cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient, but how long does it last without brine? Well, if you've got an open container of feta cheese crumbles or blocks, you can expect it to stay fresh for about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. This assumes that the package is sealed tightly to maximise shelf life.

Without brine, feta will slowly dry out and might become crumbly or grow mould if contaminated. So, if you're not planning on using it within a few days, it's best to make your own brine by dissolving 1-2 teaspoons of salt per cup of water. Simply submerging feta in brine will extend its life by a factor of 4, giving you about a month of storage time.

If you're looking for even more time, you can freeze feta cheese. This will preserve it for up to 6 months, although the taste and texture may change, so it's best to use it in cooked dishes.

So, while feta cheese without brine only lasts 5-7 days, there are plenty of options to keep enjoying this tasty cheese for longer!

Feta cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life

Feta cheese is an aged cheese that can be stored in a few different ways to extend its shelf life. The best way to store feta is in its original packaging, submerged in brine. This can extend the shelf life of feta to up to six months. If you don't have enough brine to submerge your feta, you can make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water.

If you are looking to extend the shelf life of your feta even further, you can freeze it. Freezing feta will alter its texture and taste, making it drier and crumblier. However, this can be perfect for cooked dishes such as casseroles or stews. If you are going to freeze your feta, it is recommended to portion it into meal-sized amounts so you don't end up defrosting too much.

To freeze feta, it is recommended to first drain any brine and then vacuum seal the cheese. This is because the acidity level of the feta will change if frozen and defrosted within its original brine. You can also wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil and place it in a freezer bag.

When it comes to defrosting your feta, it is best to do so overnight in the refrigerator. It is not recommended to defrost feta at room temperature as this increases the risk of bacterial growth. Defrosted feta should be used within a couple of days and only refrozen if initially defrosted in the fridge.

Feta cheese is spoiled when it's mouldy, smells sour, or has changed texture

Feta cheese is a soft cheese, so it's important to be vigilant about the signs of spoilage to avoid getting sick. While feta cheese can last a few weeks to a few months, it's important to discard it if it shows any signs of spoilage.

Feta cheese that smells sour or unpleasant is another sign of spoilage. This sour odour is caused by compounds produced by germs living in the cheese, which break down protein and release gases.

Texture changes can also indicate spoilage. If the feta has become dry, firm, or grainy, it may have been stored in poor conditions or for too long. Crumbling easily is another sign of depreciation in quality. However, feta that tastes too salty is not necessarily spoiled; this can be fixed by submerging the cheese in water for a couple of hours to reduce the saltiness.

Feta cheese is best stored in an airtight container or freezer bag

Storing feta in an airtight container or freezer bag will keep it fresh for a couple of days. However, if you submerge the cheese in brine, it can last for about a month or even longer.

To make your own brine, dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of salt per 1 cup of water. Ensure you make enough brine to cover the cheese entirely in an airtight container.

If you want to store feta for an even longer period, you can freeze it. To freeze feta cheese crumbles, tightly seal the original packaging and place it in the freezer. If freezing for longer than two months, place the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. A block of feta can be wrapped in damp paper towels and wax paper before being placed in a tightly sealed container for freezing.

Frozen feta may lose some of its texture and flavour, so it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

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