Frederic Melton
Feta cheese is a staple in many kitchens and is a popular ingredient in various dishes. However, keeping it fresh and preventing it from spoiling can be a challenge. Feta is a white crumbly cheese traditionally made from sheep's or goat's milk and is often cured and stored in brine, a solution of salt dissolved in water. Once opened, feta can dry out or spoil quickly, so it is important to know how to store it properly. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your feta cheese from going bad and lasting as long as possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage Time | 3-4 days if wrapped in a damp paper towel and kept in a container, 5-7 days if sealed tightly and refrigerated, 3-4 weeks if stored in brine, 2 weeks if stored in a milk bath, 3 months if stored in a milk bath or brine in the refrigerator |
| Spoilage Signs | Slimy texture, sour taste |
| Brine | A solution of water and salt, can be made by combining 2 cups of water with 2 tsp. of kosher salt or sea salt, not table salt |
| Milk Bath | Reduces saltiness and keeps cheese moist, creamy, and mild in flavor |
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What You'll Learn
Store feta cheese in brine to extend its shelf life
Feta cheese is a delicious addition to many dishes, but it can be tricky to keep it from drying out and becoming sour. The best way to keep it fresh and extend its shelf life is to store it in brine.
Brine is a simple solution of salt and water. When feta is exposed to air, it starts to dry out and the flavour becomes sharp and sour. However, when stored in brine, the cheese is preserved and maintains its crumbly texture. Feta is often sold in sealed packages with a small amount of brine, but this is usually not enough to submerge the cheese and keep it fresh for long.
To make your own brine, combine 2 cups of water with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, stirring until the salt dissolves. You can adjust the measurements as needed to ensure the cheese is completely covered. Once you have made the brine, simply store your leftover feta in it, ensuring the cheese is fully submerged. This method will keep feta fresh for about a month.
If you find your feta has become too salty, you can reduce the saltiness by submerging it in plain water for a few hours.
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Make your own brine with water and salt or kosher salt
Feta cheese is traditionally made from sheep's or goat's milk and is cured and stored in brine—a solution of salt dissolved in water. The brine is the flavouring agent that gives feta its salty taste and helps preserve the cheese.
If you want to make your own brine to store feta cheese, you can use water and kosher salt or sea salt. Do not use table salt as it will not keep the cheese firm. To make the brine, dissolve 2 teaspoons of kosher salt in 1 cup of water in an airtight container. You can also use 2 cups of water with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, stirring until the salt dissolves. Make sure you have enough brine to completely cover the cheese.
Once you have made the brine, submerge the feta cheese in the solution and seal the container. The feta will stay fresh for up to 3–4 weeks. When you are ready to use the cheese, take the feta cubes out of the brine, rinse them under water, and then use as desired.
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Soak feta in fresh water to reduce saltiness
Feta cheese is often sold in brine, a combination of water and salt that preserves the cheese. However, if you find that your feta cheese has become too salty, you can reduce its saltiness by soaking it in fresh water.
First, check the saltiness of the cheese before starting the water treatment. If your feta is too salty, simply place it in plain water for a few hours or until the desired saltiness is achieved. This will help to draw out some of the excess salt, improving the taste of the cheese.
It is important to note that submerging feta cheese in plain water will not provide the same preservation benefits as brine. Therefore, it is recommended to use this method only temporarily to reduce the saltiness of the cheese. Afterward, you can create your own brine solution by combining one teaspoon of kosher salt for every cup of water, ensuring that the cheese is fully submerged in the solution. This will help to preserve the feta cheese and maintain its crumbly texture.
Additionally, if you are looking to extend the shelf life of your feta cheese, consider freezing it. Freezing is an effective method to prolong the edibility of feta cheese beyond its typical refrigerated storage time of 5 to 7 days.
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Seal feta in an airtight container and refrigerate
Feta cheese is a staple in many kitchens and a favourite for its salty punch. To keep it from going bad, it is important to seal it in an airtight container and refrigerate it.
Feta is a white crumbly cheese, traditionally made from sheep's or goat's milk. It is cured and stored in brine, a solution of salt dissolved in water. When exposed to air, feta dries out and loses flavour. To prevent this, feta should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator.
If you have purchased feta in a block, it is best to cut it into cubes and submerge them in brine. Make sure that the cheese is completely covered by the brine and seal the container. This will keep the cheese fresh for up to a month.
If you are using a store-bought feta that comes in a sealed package with brine, it will last several months in the refrigerator. However, once the package is opened, the feta should be transferred to an airtight container and covered with brine to prevent it from drying out.
You can also make your own brine by dissolving salt in water. It is recommended to use kosher salt or sea salt, rather than table salt, as it helps keep the cheese firm. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in 1 cup of water, or for a larger batch, use 2 cups of water with 2 teaspoons of salt. Completely submerge the feta in the brine, seal the container, and refrigerate.
Storing feta cheese in brine will help it last for several weeks to a month, depending on the source of the cheese.
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Wrap feta in a damp paper towel and store in a container
Wrapping feta in a damp paper towel and storing it in a container is a good way to keep it fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. This method is better than simply keeping it in plastic wrap or a plastic bag.
If you want to store feta for longer, you should use a brine solution. Brine is a combination of water and salt that preserves the cheese and stops it from drying out. You can either use the cloudy liquid that feta is often packaged in or make your own brine by mixing salt and water. The feta must be completely covered by the brine. You can then seal the container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks.
If you want to reduce the saltiness of your feta, you can soak it in fresh water or milk.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese can be stored in a brine solution or a milk bath. Brine is a combination of water and salt and will preserve the cheese for up to a month. A milk bath will make the cheese softer and creamier, and less salty.
Combine 2 cups of water with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt or sea salt, stirring until the salt dissolves. The feta must be completely covered by the brine.
An unopened package of feta lasts for several months in the refrigerator. Once opened, feta will last 5-7 days if sealed tightly and refrigerated. If stored in brine, it will last for about a month.
