Feta Cheese In Brine: How Long Does It Last?

Feta cheese is a handy ingredient to have in the fridge, but how long does it last once opened? The answer depends on whether the cheese is stored in brine or not. Feta submerged in brine will last for about a month in the refrigerator, while feta stored without brine will only last for about a week. If you need to extend the shelf life of your feta cheese, freezing is an option, but this may affect the texture and flavour.

Feta cheese in brine lasts 3-6 months unopened

Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in your fridge, but it's important to store it properly to ensure it stays fresh and flavoursome. Feta is typically made from goat or sheep's milk and has a unique flavour, partly because it sits in brine—a combination of salt and water—for its entire shelf life. This means that, when you buy it, feta will likely come packaged in brine.

Once you've opened a package of feta cheese in brine, it will last for about 4 to 6 weeks in the refrigerator. To extend its shelf life, make sure the cheese remains covered in brine. If you need more brine, you can mix one pound of salt (preferably kosher) with one gallon of water.

If you want to extend the shelf life of opened feta cheese in brine even further, you can freeze it. Drain the feta and wrap it tightly in plastic freezer wrap or place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen feta cheese may lose some of its texture and flavour, so it's best suited to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

Once opened, it lasts 4-6 weeks in the fridge

Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in your fridge. It's a unique cheese with a distinct flavour, partly because it sits in brine—a combination of salt and water—for its entire life. This brine helps to preserve the moisture and keep harmful bacteria at bay, as well as contributing to the flavour.

Once opened, feta cheese in brine will last for 4-6 weeks in the refrigerator. To maximise its shelf life, make sure the cheese is covered in brine at all times. If you need to, you can make your own brine by mixing one pound of salt (preferably kosher) with one gallon of water.

If you want to keep feta cheese in brine for even longer, you can freeze it. Drain the cheese, wrap it tightly in plastic freezer wrap, or place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen feta cheese may lose some of its texture and flavour, so it's best suited to cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

Feta can be frozen to extend its life

Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in dishes such as Greek salad and baked pasta. It is an aged cheese that is typically stored in brine, which helps to maintain its freshness, flavour, and texture. However, feta can also be frozen to extend its shelf life.

Freezing feta cheese is a good option if you want to keep it tasting fresh and delicious for longer. According to Richard LaMarita, a chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus, feta "can sour more quickly than other aged cheeses in the refrigerator, so it is a good idea to store it to extend its life, and yes, it can be frozen."

The process of freezing feta cheese involves removing it from the brine, draining it, and then wrapping it tightly in plastic freezer wrap or placing it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. It is important to note that freezing may alter the texture and flavour of the cheese, making it drier and crumblier. For this reason, frozen feta is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles, where the change in texture is less noticeable.

To thaw frozen feta cheese, it is recommended to do so overnight in the refrigerator. Avoid thawing at room temperature to reduce the risk of bacterial growth. When stored properly in the freezer, feta cheese will maintain its best quality for about six months but will remain safe to consume beyond that time.

In summary, freezing is an effective way to extend the life of feta cheese, but it is important to consider the potential changes in texture and flavour, and to use the cheese in cooked dishes rather than fresh salads or toppings.

It can be too salty if stored in homemade brine

Feta cheese is often stored in brine as a common preservation method. However, it can sometimes end up tasting too salty, especially if stored in a homemade brine. This can be due to the brine being more saturated with salt than intended, or the feta taking up more salt during the making process.

If your feta tastes too salty, don't throw it away! There are a few simple methods to reduce the saltiness and salvage your cheese. Firstly, you can rinse the feta under water and then allow it to drain. Then, place the feta in a container with enough room for the cheese and an additional 25% space for liquid. Cover the cheese with fresh milk and leave it in the fridge for 1-2 days. The milk will draw out some of the excess salt from the feta. Check the salt levels after this period, and if it is still too salty, pour out the milk, refill with fresh milk, and leave for another 1-2 days before testing again.

Alternatively, you can soak the feta in a lighter brine solution or plain water for a few hours to a few days. This will also help to reduce the saltiness of the cheese. If you are concerned about the feta becoming too salty, you can remove it from the brine once it reaches your desired level of saltiness and store it in a sealed container or cling film. However, it may not last as long when stored out of the brine.

Another option is to use the salty feta in dishes where the other ingredients can balance out the saltiness. For example, adding salty feta to a fresh salad or starch dishes without additional salt can help to knock down the salt taste and provide a nice contrast of flavours.

It's spoiled if there's mould, discolouration, a strong smell, or texture changes

Feta cheese is a soft cheese, so it's important to be vigilant about signs of spoilage. If you see any mould on your feta cheese, it's time to throw it out. Don't try to salvage it by cutting off the mouldy parts, as this won't work with soft cheeses like feta. The mould can easily spread throughout the entire block, so it's best to be cautious and discard the cheese.

Discolouration is another sign that your feta cheese has gone bad. If you notice any dark spots or areas on the surface of the cheese, it's no longer safe to eat. Feta cheese that is fully immersed in brine may also develop a slimy texture or a sour odour, which are indications of spoilage.

A strong smell is also an indicator that your feta cheese has spoiled. A slightly acidic odour is normal for feta, but if the smell becomes much stronger, the cheese should be discarded. A yeasty aroma, similar to the smell of proofed bread dough, is another sign that your feta has gone bad.

Finally, be on the lookout for texture changes. If your feta block becomes slimy or starts to crumble easily, it's past its prime. Feta cheese that has become dry, firm, or grainy may not be spoiled, but these changes in texture indicate that the cheese has been stored too long or in poor conditions, and it's best to toss it out.

To maximise the shelf life of feta cheese, it's important to store it properly. Feta should always be refrigerated, and if it's not fully submerged in brine, it's best to wrap it tightly or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

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