Feta Cheese: How Long Does It Last?

Feta cheese is a beloved staple in Greek cuisine, known for its salty, tangy flavour and crumbly texture. Président® Feta Crumbles, for example, are marketed as the ultimate cheese for salads, with a creamy texture and salty flavour. But how long does feta cheese last once the package has been opened?

Feta in brine can last up to six months unopened

Feta cheese is a versatile and popular ingredient, but it's important to store it correctly to ensure it stays fresh. Feta in brine can last up to six months if unopened and stored in the refrigerator. This is because the brine, a mixture of salt and water, helps to preserve the cheese's moisture and flavour, as well as inhibiting bacterial growth.

If you're planning to store feta cheese for a long period of time, it's best to buy it in blocks rather than crumbles, as blocks are easier to keep fresh. It's also important to make sure the feta is in its original sealed packaging, whether that's brine or vacuum-sealed plastic wrap, to maintain moisture levels and prevent spoilage.

Once the feta cheese is opened, its shelf life decreases significantly. If it's not stored in brine, feta will only last around five to seven days in the refrigerator. However, if you submerge the cheese in brine, its freshness can be extended to up to a month.

If you need to keep the feta for even longer, freezing is an option. Feta can be frozen for up to six months, although this may alter its texture and flavour. It's important to note that freezing feta in brine is not recommended, as the salt content can affect the freezing process.

Opened feta should be consumed within a week

Feta cheese is a beloved staple in Greek cuisine, widely cherished for its salty, tangy flavor and crumbly texture. However, once opened, its shelf life becomes limited. To ensure food safety and maintain the best quality, it is recommended to consume opened feta cheese within a week.

The shelf life of opened feta cheese largely depends on storage conditions. Proper storage methods can significantly extend the lifespan of feta cheese. It is crucial to refrigerate feta cheese at all times, as it is perishable and prone to spoilage at room temperature. When storing opened feta cheese, it is essential to seal the package tightly or transfer the cheese to an airtight container. This prevents air exposure, which can accelerate spoilage.

Additionally, brine immersion is a traditional and effective method for preserving feta cheese. Traditional feta cheese is often stored in a brine solution, which helps maintain its flavor and texture. Brine, a solution of salt and water, acts as a preservative and can greatly extend the shelf life of feta cheese. If the original packaging does not contain enough brine to submerge the cheese, creating a homemade brine solution is a simple and effective solution. To make a basic brine solution, dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 1 cup of cold water. Submerging the feta cheese in this solution will significantly prolong its freshness.

While feta cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life, it is generally not recommended. Freezing can alter the texture and taste of the cheese, making it overly crumbly. However, if freezing is desired, it is crucial to wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap or place it in freezer-safe bags. Frozen feta cheese is best suited for cooked dishes, as the freezing process can affect its texture and flavor.

It is important to regularly inspect feta cheese for any signs of spoilage. Mold growth, discoloration, a slimy texture, and off-odors indicate that the cheese should be discarded. Proper storage methods, including refrigeration, airtight sealing, and brine immersion, can help maximize the shelf life of opened feta cheese, ensuring it remains consumable within a week.

Freezing feta is not recommended

Feta cheese is a beloved staple in Greek cuisine, widely cherished for its salty, tangy flavour and crumbly texture. Freezing feta cheese is not recommended, and here are several reasons why:

Firstly, freezing feta cheese can alter its appearance, texture, and taste. Feta can lose its signature salty flavour and become more crumbly after being frozen. This change in texture is described by Dean Sommer, a cheese and food technologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Dairy Research, as "over the top crumbly". While this texture may be acceptable as a topping, it is not ideal for those who prefer the original texture of feta cheese.

Secondly, freezing feta cheese in brine is not advised due to the salt content affecting the freezing process. The high salt content of feta cheese in brine can interfere with the freezing process, leading to undesirable results.

Thirdly, freezing and thawing feta cheese can introduce unwanted bacteria. Once feta cheese is thawed, it should be consumed within 72 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Additionally, it is crucial to never refreeze feta cheese, as this promotes bacteria growth and could potentially cause food poisoning.

Lastly, freezing feta cheese may not be the best option for long-term storage. While freezing can extend the shelf life of feta cheese, it is recommended to use frozen feta within one month to avoid significant flavour and texture deterioration.

In conclusion, freezing feta cheese is not recommended due to the potential changes in appearance, texture, and taste, as well as the risk of bacterial growth and the limited freezer storage time. Alternative storage methods, such as refrigeration, vacuum sealing, or oil or brine immersion, may be more suitable for maintaining the quality and freshness of feta cheese.

Feta can be stored in olive oil to extend its shelf life

Feta cheese is a beloved staple in Greek cuisine, widely cherished for its salty, tangy flavour and crumbly texture. However, once opened, its shelf life can be quite short, typically lasting only 5-7 days in the refrigerator. Fortunately, there is a simple and delectable solution to extend its lifespan: storing it in olive oil.

Olive oil is a remarkable preservative and has been traditionally used to store vegetables, herbs, and cheeses, especially in the Mediterranean region. By submerging feta cheese in olive oil, you can significantly prolong its shelf life. This method ensures that the cheese remains moist, maintaining its signature salty flavour and crumbly texture. With proper storage, your feta cheese can last for about two to three weeks in the refrigerator when stored in olive oil, a considerable improvement over its brief shelf life otherwise.

To store your feta cheese in olive oil, follow these simple steps:

• Cut the feta cheese into 1-inch or 1 ½-inch chunks.
• Prepare a sterilised jar and add your favourite herbs and spices. Some popular options include rosemary, oregano, thyme, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon zest, peppercorns, and chilli peppers.
• Layer the feta cheese chunks and herbs/spices in the jar, ensuring they are evenly dispersed.
• Pour extra virgin olive oil into the jar until the cheese and herbs are completely submerged. It is crucial that everything in the jar is covered by oil to prevent spoilage.
• Seal the jar tightly and store it in the refrigerator.

In addition to prolonging the shelf life of feta cheese, storing it in olive oil also enhances its flavour. The olive oil imparts additional flavours to the cheese, creating a delightful symphony of tastes. The leftover olive oil after consuming the cheese can also be used to make delicious salad dressings.

However, it is important to note that when storing feta cheese in olive oil, the mixture should not be kept at room temperature due to the risk of botulism, a serious foodborne illness. Therefore, it is recommended to always store the feta cheese and olive oil mixture in the refrigerator to ensure food safety.

Feta is spoiled when it has mould, a yeasty aroma, or harsh flavours

Feta cheese is a beloved staple in Greek cuisine, widely enjoyed for its salty, tangy flavour and crumbly texture. However, it's important to be vigilant about the freshness of feta cheese, as consuming spoiled feta can lead to an unpleasant dining experience or even health risks.

One of the most obvious signs that feta cheese has gone bad is the presence of mould. Unlike harder cheeses, where mould can be scraped off, soft cheeses like feta should be discarded if any amount of mould is detected. The moist nature of feta allows mould to spread quickly and easily throughout the cheese.

Another indication of spoilage is a noticeable change in aroma. Feta cheese typically has a slightly acidic odour, but if this scent becomes overwhelmingly strong or takes on a yeasty or sour character, it's best to discard the cheese.

In addition to mould and off-odours, spoilage can also manifest as harsh or unpleasant flavours. A good rule of thumb is that if the feta tastes too strong or has developed bitter or otherwise unpalatable notes, it's no longer safe to consume.

It's worth noting that feta cheese can sometimes taste too salty, especially if it has been stored in brine for an extended period. This issue can often be remedied by submerging the feta in plain water for a few hours to draw out some of the excess salt. However, if the saltiness is accompanied by other signs of spoilage, such as mould or a yeasty aroma, it's best to discard the cheese.

To summarise, feta cheese should be discarded if it exhibits any of the following characteristics: visible mould, a strong yeasty or sour aroma, or harsh and unpleasant flavours. By heeding these warning signs, consumers can ensure they're enjoying fresh, high-quality feta cheese that hasn't spoiled.

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