Feta Cheese Brine: How Long Does It Last?

Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in the fridge, but how long it lasts depends on how it's stored. Most feta comes packaged in a brine, which is a solution of water and salt. This helps to preserve the moisture and keep harmful bacteria at bay, as well as contributing to the flavour. If unopened and stored correctly, feta in brine can last for several months, but once the seal is broken, it will only last a week unless it's returned to the brine.

Feta cheese in brine lasts 3-6 months

Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in your fridge, but how long it lasts depends on how it's stored. Feta is a unique type of cheese, partly because it sits in brine—a combination of salt and water—for its entire life. This brine helps to preserve the moisture, keeping the cheese from drying out, and staving off harmful bacteria. It also contributes to feta's salty flavour.

If you've bought a block of feta, it's likely to come packaged in a small amount of brine. An unopened package will last for several months in the refrigerator, but once the seal is broken, you have about a week before the cheese will turn.

However, if you return the cheese to a brine solution, it will last much longer. Feta cheese in brine can last for 3-6 months if stored correctly. To do this, make sure the block of cheese is completely submerged in brine and avoid any contamination. You can make your own brine by mixing one teaspoon of salt per cup of water used. Make sure the feta is completely covered before putting it in the fridge.

If you're storing crumbled feta, you can do the same thing, but freezing is also an option. Feta will last for up to three months in the freezer, but this may change the flavour and texture of the cheese. Once-frozen cheese is better suited to cooked dishes like omelettes, casseroles, sauces, soups, and more.

Feta without brine lasts 5-7 days

Feta cheese is a handy ingredient to have in the fridge, but it's important to store it properly to make the most of it. Feta without brine will only last 5-7 days, so unless you're certain you'll use it within that time frame, it's better to play it safe and store it in brine.

Feta cheese is typically made from goat and/or sheep's milk, and its unique flavour is partly due to it sitting in salt water, or brine, for its natural life. This brine not only helps to preserve the moisture and keep harmful bacteria at bay, but it also contributes to the flavour.

When buying feta, it's preferable to choose blocks over crumbles as they're easier to keep fresh, and you'll likely pay more for pre-crumbled cheese. Look for feta that comes packaged in brine, as this will stay good for around a month if unopened. However, once the seal is broken, you have no more than a week before the cheese will turn, unless you return it to brine.

If you only need a small amount of feta and are left with leftovers, you can store the remaining cheese in an airtight container. Make a brine by mixing one teaspoon of salt per cup of water, ensuring that the feta is completely covered by the brine before placing it in the fridge. This way, it will stay fresh for up to a month.

If you're working with crumbles, you can do the same, but freezing them also optimises freshness. Feta will last frozen for up to three months, but note that this may change the flavour and texture of the cheese, making it better suited for cooked dishes rather than fresh garnishes.

To summarise, while feta is a versatile and delicious ingredient, it's important to handle it with care. By storing it in brine and following proper storage procedures, you can ensure that your feta lasts for weeks instead of just a few days, making the most of this tasty cheese.

How to make your own brine

Feta cheese is a handy thing to have stocked in the fridge, but it can quickly dry out and spoil. The best way to preserve it is to store it in brine—a solution of salt dissolved in water. This helps to preserve the moisture, stave off harmful bacteria, and also contributes to the flavor.

To make your own brine, combine 1 teaspoon of kosher salt for every cup of water, ensuring you make enough to submerge the feta entirely. The feta must be completely covered by the brine and stored in a tight or airtight container in the refrigerator. This method will keep your feta fresh for up to a month.

If you are short on time, a quicker way to make brine is to mix ½ cup of whole milk, ½ cup of water, 1½ teaspoons of table salt, and ½ teaspoon of distilled white vinegar. Place the feta in this brine in an airtight container and refrigerate for one week.

It is important to note that the quality of your feta can also be affected by the type of container you use. Feta should be stored in an airtight container, and when removing a portion of the cheese from the brine, use tongs, a fork, or some other clean implement to avoid introducing microbes into the feta's environment, which could encourage spoilage.

How to store feta in olive oil

Feta cheese is typically made from goat and/or sheep's milk and has a unique flavour, partly because it sits in salt water for its natural life. This brine helps to preserve the moisture and keep harmful bacteria at bay, as well as contributing to the flavour.

If you want to store feta in olive oil, you can follow these steps:

• Cut the feta into 1/2- to 1-inch cubes.
• Layer the cheese with herbs and lemon zest in a clean jar. A blend of lemon zest and herbs will infuse the olive oil and cheese with flavour. You can use dried Herbes de Provence mixed with fresh rosemary and thyme, but you can also experiment with other combinations.
• Pour olive oil into the jar to completely cover the cheese.
• Let the feta marinate in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours to allow the flavours to develop.
• The marinated feta will keep for several weeks in a covered jar in the refrigerator.

Note that feta stored in olive oil will not last as long as feta stored in brine. While feta stored in brine will last for about a month, feta stored in olive oil will only last for a few weeks.

How to identify spoiled feta

Feta cheese is a staple in many kitchens, but like all perishable foods, it can spoil if not stored and handled correctly. Here are some detailed guidelines on how to identify when feta cheese has gone bad:

Appearance

A change in appearance is one of the first signs of spoiled feta cheese. Fresh feta typically has a bright white, crumbly texture. If you notice any discolouration, such as yellowing, browning, or dark spots, it's an indication that the cheese has spoiled. Common mould colours include white, green, blue, or black.

Smell

Feta cheese typically has a slightly acidic, tangy odour. If this smell becomes much stronger, or if it smells acrid, sour, rancid, or otherwise off-putting, it's likely that the cheese has spoiled. A yeasty aroma is also an indicator of spoilage.

Texture

Fresh feta cheese should have a firm, crumbly texture. If your feta becomes slimy, sticky, or excessively soft, it's likely a sign of bacterial growth and spoilage. If it starts to crumble on its own, it's also likely past its prime.

Taste

If you're unable to identify spoilage using the above indicators, you may carefully taste the cheese. Fresh feta has a slightly salty and tangy flavour. If it tastes overly sour, bitter, or rancid, it has likely been spoiled by bacteria or mould.

Expiry Date

While not a perfect indicator of spoilage, it's important to always check the expiry date printed on the feta cheese package. Consuming feta cheese past its expiry date increases the risk of foodborne illness.

General Tips

When storing feta cheese, it's important to keep it in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped, and submerged in brine if possible. This will help maintain its freshness, flavour, and texture. Feta should also be stored in an airtight container to prevent exposure to air and moisture, and to prevent it from absorbing odours from other foods in the fridge.

Frequently asked questions