Frederic Melton
Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in the fridge, but how do you know when it's gone bad? Feta is typically a goat or sheep's milk cheese that sits in brine for preservation and added flavour. While it's normal for feta to have a strong smell, it shouldn't smell yeasty or like spoiled milk. If it does, it's gone bad. Feta should taste mildly tangy, so any harsh, bitter, or sour flavours indicate it's past its prime.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Feta cheese is expected to have a mild smell. However, if it smells acrid, extra sour, or like spoiled milk, it has gone bad. |
| Taste | Feta cheese should taste like fresh, mildly tangy dairy. Harsh, unbalanced flavors like bitterness indicate that the cheese has gone bad. |
| Texture | Feta cheese should not be slimy or moldy. |
| Packaging | Feta cheese packed in liquid salt brine can last for up to 6 months. Dry-packed versions have a much shorter shelf life. |
| Storage | To extend the shelf life, store feta cheese in an airtight container with a brine solution made of salt and water or milk and vinegar. |
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What You'll Learn
Feta cheese should smell funky, but not spoiled
Feta cheese is typically made from goat and/or sheep's milk and sits in brine—a saltwater solution—for its entire shelf life. This brine not only helps preserve the cheese and prevent bacteria but also contributes to its flavour.
Feta cheese is known for its strong smell, which is normal and expected. However, there is a difference between a funky smell and a spoiled smell. A spoiled feta cheese will have a yeasty, unpleasant odour, similar to spoiled milk or vomit. On the other hand, fresh feta should have a mildly tangy aroma. If your feta smells acrid, sour, or extra tangy, it has likely gone bad.
In addition to smell, there are other ways to tell if your feta cheese has spoiled. One clear sign is the presence of mould. If you see any discolouration or hairy bits on the cheese, it's best to discard it. Another indicator is the texture; spoiled feta may develop a slimy texture. Feta cheese should have a mild, tangy taste, so if it tastes overly bitter, rancid, or unbalanced, it has likely gone bad.
To prolong the freshness of feta cheese, it is important to store it properly. Feta packed in brine can last up to 6 months if stored correctly. Always ensure that the cheese is completely submerged in the brine to prevent contamination. When removing cheese from the brine, use clean utensils to avoid introducing microbes that can encourage spoilage. If you don't have enough brine, you can create your own by mixing milk, water, salt, and vinegar.
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Feta cheese in brine lasts longer
Feta cheese is a handy staple to have in your fridge, but how do you keep it from drying out or spoiling? The answer is brine.
Feta is typically made from goat or sheep's milk, and its unique flavour partly comes from the fact that it sits in brine, or salt water, for its entire life. This brine not only helps to preserve the moisture and keep harmful bacteria at bay, but it also contributes to the flavour.
Most feta cheese comes packaged in a brine. If it doesn't, it's likely to be dry, sour, and crumbly. It's best to buy feta in blocks rather than crumbles, as blocks are easier to keep fresh, and pre-crumbled cheese is usually more expensive.
If you buy feta in a vacuum-sealed package, it will only stay good for around a month. Once the seal is broken, you have about a week before the cheese will turn, unless you return it to a brine. To do this, make a solution of one teaspoon of salt per cup of water, ensuring that the feta is completely covered by the brine. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will last for up to a month. You can also freeze crumbled feta to optimise freshness, although this may change the flavour and texture of the cheese.
If you're buying feta in brine, it's best to buy it in a plastic container rather than vacuum-sealed. This will ensure that the cheese stays smooth and creamy, with a sharp and tangy flavour, and will extend its shelf life from days to weeks.
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Feta cheese can smell like vomit or spoiled milk if it's gone bad
Feta cheese is typically made from goat and/or sheep's milk and is stored in brine to preserve its moisture and keep harmful bacteria at bay. It is supposed to have a unique, tangy flavour. However, if your feta cheese smells like vomit or spoiled milk, it has definitely gone bad.
Feta cheese is known to have a strong smell, but it should not be acrid or sour. If the smell is overpowering and resembles spoiled milk or vomit, it is best to discard the cheese. This strong, unpleasant odour is a clear indicator of spoilage. While mould is often the most obvious sign of spoilage in cheeses, smell is a crucial indicator in the case of feta. If the cheese smells rancid, it is likely to be rotten and unfit for consumption.
Proper storage is essential to prevent feta cheese from spoiling. Feta packed in brine can last for up to six months if stored correctly. It is important to ensure that the cheese is completely submerged in the brine and that the container is airtight. When removing cheese from the brine, use clean utensils to avoid introducing microbes that can encourage spoilage. If you don't have enough brine, you can make your own by mixing milk, water, salt, and vinegar.
Additionally, it is important to check for other signs of spoilage, such as a bitter taste or noticeable mould. If the cheese tastes overly bitter or harsh, it is past its prime and should be discarded. Mould is also a clear indicator that the cheese is no longer safe to consume. If you see any discolouration or mould growth, dispose of the cheese immediately.
In summary, if your feta cheese smells like vomit or spoiled milk, it has gone bad. Proper storage techniques, including the use of brine and airtight containers, can help extend the shelf life of feta cheese and prevent spoilage. However, once the cheese develops an overpowering, unpleasant odour, it is best to discard it and opt for a fresh block.
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Feta cheese is made with the same bacteria found on feet
Feta cheese is a soft, white cheese made from sheep milk or a mixture of sheep and goat milk. It is formed into large blocks and aged in brine, giving it a tangy, salty, and mildly sour taste. Feta is used in a variety of dishes, including salads, pastries, sandwiches, and omelettes.
Now, coming to the question at hand, it is important to understand the process of cheese-making. Cheese is made by coagulating milk, which can be done using lactic acid (naturally present in milk), bacteria, or enzymes. The milk can be from cows, sheep, goats, or buffalo, and the choice of milk and coagulation method contributes to the unique flavour and aroma of the cheese.
Feta cheese, in particular, has a distinct microbial "fingerprint" with a diverse bacterial community dominated by LAB (Lactic Acid Bacteria). These bacteria are crucial for the fermentation process and contribute to the development of flavour and aroma compounds during aging.
Interestingly, some researchers have explored the connection between the bacteria on our bodies and the bacteria in cheese. They found that a molecule called isovaleric acid, which is associated with the smell of stinky locker rooms or sweaty feet, is also present in Swiss cheese. This indicates that there may be a link between the bacteria that live on our bodies and the bacteria that contribute to the smell and flavour of certain cheeses.
In fact, one experiment in creating funky cheese involved using microbes from the feet and armpits of individuals to create cheese. The cheese made from foot bacteria was described as smelling like "yeast, ocean salt, sour old cheese, and feet." This unique scent profile is attributed to the breakdown of fats and proteins by the bacteria, which is similar to what happens in milk during the cheese-making process.
So, while feta cheese is not specifically made with the bacteria found on feet, there is a connection between the bacteria on our bodies and the bacteria in cheese, which can influence the smell and flavour of the final product.
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Feta cheese should taste mildly tangy, not bitter
Feta cheese is typically made from goat and/or sheep's milk and has a unique flavour. This is partly due to the fact that it sits in a brine—a solution of salt water—for its entire shelf life. This brine not only helps to preserve the moisture and keep harmful bacteria at bay, but it also contributes to the flavour.
To keep your feta fresh for longer, it is important to store it correctly. Feta packed in liquid brine can last for up to 6 months if stored properly. Make sure that the block of cheese is completely submerged in the brine to avoid contamination. If you are removing a portion of the cheese from the brine, use a clean utensil such as tongs or a fork to avoid introducing microbes that could cause spoilage.
If you don't have enough brine to fully submerge your feta, you can make your own by mixing ½ cup whole milk, ½ cup water, 1½ teaspoons table salt, and ½ teaspoon distilled white vinegar. Place the feta in this brine in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is supposed to have a mild smell, but it's normal for it to smell a little funky because it's made with bacteria. However, if your feta smells yeasty, like spoiled milk or vomit, or has an acrid or extra sour smell, it's gone bad.
Feta cheese packed in liquid, like brine or oil, can last up to 6 months when stored correctly. Dry feta, on the other hand, only lasts about a week.
Aside from an unpleasant smell, spoiled feta cheese will have a bitter or harsh taste, and you may also see noticeable mold on the cheese.
Feta cheese that has been vacuum-sealed with a small amount of brine may have a stronger smell due to the lack of liquid to dilute the scent.
To keep your feta fresh, make sure it's completely submerged in brine and avoid touching the cheese or brine with your fingers to prevent contamination. You can also create your own brine using milk, water, salt, and vinegar.
