Frederic Melton
Feta cheese is a popular semi-soft Greek cheese made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It has a tangy, slightly salty flavour and a unique, crumbly yet creamy texture. Feta is a versatile ingredient used in various dishes, from salads and soups to dips and sauces. However, due to its high moisture content and specific texture, it can be challenging to store and is susceptible to spoilage. One of the key indicators of spoilage in feta cheese is the presence of mold, but what colour is the mold that indicates feta cheese has gone bad?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color | Dark or greenish |
| Texture | Slimy |
| Odor | Yeasty, sour, or unpleasant |
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What You'll Learn
Feta cheese should be stored in brine
Feta cheese is a tasty addition to countless meals, but it can go bad if not stored properly. The first signs of spoilage are an unpleasant sour-cream smell, discolouration, and a slimy texture. To keep your feta fresh, storing it in brine is essential.
Brine is a combination of water and salt that preserves the cheese and gives it its salty flavour. Feta packed in liquid salt brine can last for up to 6 months if stored correctly, whereas dry-packed feta should be consumed within a week of opening. When purchasing feta, always opt for the variety stored in brine, as this will ensure a longer shelf life and a superior texture and taste.
If you find yourself with feta cheese and no brine, you can easily make your own at home. To make a basic brine, combine 1 teaspoon of kosher salt for every cup of water, ensuring you make enough to completely submerge the feta. For a larger batch, use 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, stirring until the salt dissolves. You can also add ½ cup of whole milk and ½ teaspoon of distilled white vinegar to replicate the calcium and acetic acid in commercial brines.
When storing your feta in brine, seal the container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks. Remember to always use a clean utensil or your hands to remove the cheese from the brine to avoid contamination. Enjoy your perfectly preserved feta!
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How to identify spoiled feta cheese
Feta cheese is a tasty addition to many meals, but it's important to make sure it's still good to eat before consuming it. Here are some ways to identify if your feta cheese has spoiled:
Check for mold
If you notice any spots of greenish or dark mold on the cheese, it's best to throw the whole block away. Mold is a clear sign that the cheese has been contaminated and is no longer safe to eat.
Smell the cheese
Feta cheese should have a mildly tangy and salty aroma. If your feta starts to smell yeasty, like proofed bread dough, or develops an unpleasant odor, it has likely gone bad. Trust your nose—if something smells off, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Taste test
Feta cheese should taste fresh and mildly tangy. If your feta tastes overly sour, bitter, or rancid, it has probably exceeded its shelf life. A harsh or unbalanced flavor is a sign that the cheese is nearing its expiry date or has already expired.
Examine the brine
If your feta cheese is stored in brine, check the condition of the brine solution. The brine should help keep the cheese fresh and moist. If the brine becomes slimy or contaminated, it can affect the quality of the cheese. Always use clean utensils or your hands to remove cheese from the brine to avoid introducing bacteria.
Check the packaging
Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the freshness of feta cheese. Feta packed in liquid brine and stored in its original airtight container can last for up to six months. Dry-packed feta, on the other hand, has a much shorter shelf life and is best consumed within a week of opening. If the packaging is damaged or the cheese is exposed to air for extended periods, it may spoil faster.
In summary, spoiled feta cheese may exhibit signs of mold growth, develop an unpleasant smell or taste, or be past its recommended shelf life. To prolong the life of your feta cheese, ensure it is submerged in brine and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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Freezing feta cheese
Feta cheese is a tasty addition to many meals, but it can be challenging to use it all before it goes bad. Freezing is a good option to prolong its life, but there are some things to keep in mind.
Firstly, freezing feta will affect its texture and taste. According to Sommer, freezing completely ruins the texture of feta cheese, even when it is thawed gently in the refrigerator. Defrosted frozen feta becomes overly crumbly, although this texture might be acceptable as a topping. The freezing process can also alter the taste of feta, making it blander and less salty. If you want to restore some of its original flavour, you can place the cheese in brine once it has thawed.
If you decide to freeze your feta cheese, there are a few steps you should take. Firstly, it is recommended to blot the cheese with a towel to absorb any excess water. Then, cut the feta into appropriate sizes for later use, as it will be difficult to cut precisely once frozen. Wrap the feta in freezer paper and then place it into a resealable freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air from the bag to maintain freshness. Label the bag with the name and date so you can easily identify it in the freezer.
Some people recommend vacuum sealing the cheese, as the acidity level of the feta will change if frozen and defrosted within its original brine. Freezing feta in portions that you will use for one to three meals is also a good idea so you don't thaw too much at once. If you are freezing crumbled feta, make sure to minimise air exposure to prevent bloating and potential bacterial growth.
Feta cheese stored in brine can last three to four weeks in the fridge, but it can last up to three months in the freezer. So, if you have more feta than you can use in a few weeks, freezing is a good option to prolong its life. Just remember that freezing will affect the texture and taste, and you should follow the proper steps for freezing to maintain its freshness.
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Feta cheese shelf life
Feta cheese is a tasty addition to countless meals, but it is important to store it properly to avoid early spoilage. Feta packed in liquid salt brine can last for up to 6 months if stored correctly. It is important to keep the cheese completely submerged in brine and to avoid contamination by using clean utensils when handling the cheese and brine. If you notice that the brine level has dropped, you can top it off with a mixture of milk, water, salt, and vinegar, or with filtered water and salt.
Once the package is opened, it is recommended to consume the feta within one to two weeks. To extend the shelf life, you can store the cheese in olive oil, which can maintain its freshness for up to three weeks. The olive oil creates a barrier around the cheese, protecting it from bacteria, yeast, and other microbes. However, olive oil will alter the taste of the feta, making it more pungent, and it will also affect the texture, making it creamier.
If you notice any spots of greenish or dark mold on the cheese, it is important to discard the entire block. Other signs that your feta has gone bad include a yeasty aroma, harsh or unbalanced flavors, and a crumbly texture. Freezing feta cheese is not recommended as it can negatively affect the texture, making it overly crumbly even after gentle thawing.
To summarize, the shelf life of feta cheese depends on its packaging and storage conditions. Unopened feta in brine can last for up to 6 months, while opened feta should be consumed within one to two weeks. Storing the cheese in olive oil can extend its freshness for up to three weeks. However, it is important to regularly check the cheese for any signs of spoilage and to discard it if mold or other indicators of spoilage are present.
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How to make brine at home
Feta cheese is usually packed in liquid salt brine, which helps to preserve it and prevent the growth of mould. If you notice any spots of greenish mould on the cheese, it's time to throw it out.
Brine is a solution used to preserve food and enhance its flavour. It is commonly used for meat, fish, and cheese. At its most basic, brine is a solution of salt dissolved in water. The ratio of salt to water can vary depending on the type of food being brined and personal preference. For example, a higher concentration of salt (around 10-15%) is used for brining fish to firm its texture, whereas a lower concentration (around 5-7%) is typically used for meat.
- Mix ½ cup of whole milk, ½ cup of water, 1½ teaspoons of table salt, and ½ teaspoon of distilled white vinegar. This combination replicates the calcium and acetic acid in commercial brines, which is particularly suitable for cheese.
- Place the food item in the brine solution, ensuring it is fully submerged.
- Store the brined food in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The duration of brining can vary depending on the type of food and your desired outcome. For smaller cuts of meat, 30 minutes to an hour is usually sufficient. For larger items like a whole turkey, brining can take several hours or even a couple of days.
Some additional tips for making brine at home:
- You can adjust the amount of salt in the brine to control the saltiness of the cheese or meat.
- For extra flavour, you can add herbs, spices, or aromatics to the brine solution.
- Always use clean utensils when handling the food and brine to avoid introducing contaminants.
- Brining is particularly effective for lean meats, such as chicken breasts, pork chops, and turkey, as it helps to retain moisture and enhance flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese that has gone bad will show signs of dark or greenish mold.
Besides the appearance of dark or green mold, other signs of spoilage include an overly slimy texture, a strong sour or unpleasant odor, and noticeable changes in color to a darker or more yellow shade.
Feta cheese is a popular semi-soft brined cheese that originated in Greece. It is typically made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. Feta is known for its tangy, slightly salty flavor and crumbly yet creamy texture.
