Feta Cheese: Deli-Bought And Shelf Life Explained

Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in dishes like salads, pastries, and dips. Its tangy flavor and crumbly texture make it a favorite among cooks and chefs. But how long does feta cheese last in the fridge? The answer depends on several factors, including the type of feta, its packaging, and how it's stored.

Feta cheese in brine can last for up to six months

Feta cheese is a versatile dairy product that is often used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese. It has a rich cultural heritage and distinctive culinary attributes. The key to prolonging the life of feta cheese is to store it in brine.

If you are looking for a shorter-term storage option, an opened package of feta cheese will last about five to seven days if refrigerated properly. However, if the feta cheese is submerged in brine, its freshness can be extended up to a month.

For those looking for even longer storage options, freezing is a viable choice. Freezing can significantly extend the life of the cheese, but it may slightly alter the texture. It is always advisable to refer to the "best before" date as a preliminary guide, as the actual shelf life may vary according to storage conditions.

Opened feta cheese should be consumed within five to seven days

Feta cheese is a versatile dairy product with a rich cultural heritage and distinctive culinary attributes. It is praised for its tangy flavour and crumbly texture, and is often used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese. Understanding its shelf life is important for both safety and quality.

If you are storing feta cheese without brine, it is important to keep the cheese in a tightly sealed airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap to minimise exposure to air and moisture. Consume the cheese within five to seven days to prevent spoilage.

It is important to note that the shelf life of feta cheese largely depends on its packaging and storage conditions. Unopened feta cheese packaged in brine remains fresh for up to six months when stored in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature. It is important to keep the cheese in its original sealed packaging to maintain moisture levels and prevent spoilage.

Feta cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life

Feta cheese is an aged cheese with a shelf life of a few months to a year. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days if sealed tightly, or for about a month if submerged in brine. However, if you need to extend its shelf life even further, freezing is an option.

Freezing feta cheese can alter its texture and flavour, making it drier and crumblier. This change may be more noticeable with block feta compared to crumbled feta. Frozen feta is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles, where texture is less important.

To freeze feta cheese, start by blotting the cheese with a towel to absorb any excess water. Then, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. Wrap the cheese tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil, plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Finally, store it in the freezer before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed.

Properly stored, frozen feta cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months but will remain safe beyond that time. It is important to note that freezing feta cheese may not be recommended by some experts due to the potential impact on its texture.

Signs of spoiled feta cheese include a dry or slimy texture

Feta cheese is a soft cheese, so it's important to be vigilant about any signs of spoilage. While it has a long shelf life, it won't last forever. If you're storing feta, it's best to keep it in an airtight container in the fridge, and if you can, submerge it in brine. This will ensure it lasts for a few weeks to a month. If you don't have enough brine, you can make your own with a teaspoon of salt per cup of water.

Now, onto the signs of spoilage. If your feta cheese has a dry or slimy texture, it has likely gone off. Feta should have a creamy and smooth texture. If it's dry, it may have been stored in poor conditions or for too long. If it's slimy, it may have been contaminated. Either way, it's best to discard it.

Other signs of spoilage include:

• Mold. Unlike harder cheeses, soft cheeses like feta are susceptible to mold spores, so it's best to throw out the whole block if you spot any mold.
• Discoloration. Feta should be white, so if it has turned a darker color or developed dark spots, it's time to toss it.
• Off smell. A slightly acidic odor is normal for feta, but if it becomes much stronger or smells yeasty, sour, or unpleasant, it's no longer safe to eat.
• Texture changes. In addition to dryness and sliminess, feta that has become crumbly, firm, or grainy is likely past its prime.
• Harsh or unbalanced flavors. Feta should taste mildly tangy and slightly salty. If it tastes overly piquant, bitter, or rancid, it has likely gone bad.

If you're unsure, it's always better to be safe than sorry and throw the feta out.

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient in dishes like salads and pastries

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in dishes like salads and pastries. It has a salty, tangy, and creamy flavour that pairs well with other ingredients.

Salads

Feta cheese is a common ingredient in many salads, such as the Israeli Salad, which consists of cucumbers, tomatoes, scallions, herbs, and lemon. Feta adds a tangy and creamy element to the salad, making it more flavourful and rich. Similarly, in a watermelon, cucumber, and feta salad, feta adds a salty and tangy edge to the sweet and juicy watermelon. Feta is also used in salads with lentils, chickpeas, beets, kale, pears, quinoa, spinach, strawberries, walnuts, and more.

Pastries

Feta cheese is also used in pastries, such as feta cheese foldovers and feta-spinach puff pastry bites. In the foldovers, feta cheese is blended with green onions and egg, then enclosed in puff pastry and baked. The spinach puff pastry bites are made by mixing feta with spinach, garlic, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper, then baking the mixture inside puff pastry cups.

Storage

When it comes to storing feta cheese, it's important to keep it refrigerated. If you have an unopened package, it can be stored in its original packaging in the fridge. However, once opened, feta cheese should be sealed tightly and refrigerated. It will last 5 to 7 days this way, but if you submerge it in brine, it can last about a month. Alternatively, you can freeze feta cheese to extend its shelf life even further.

Frequently asked questions