Andy Montoya
Feta cheese is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, known for its crumbly texture and tangy taste. It is typically made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep and goat's milk. Proper storage of feta cheese is essential to maintain its quality and extend its shelf life. Feta has a high moisture content and unique composition, making it more susceptible to spoilage compared to harder cheeses. When stored in brine, feta can last for several months. However, if left unrefrigerated and without brine, it will only last a few weeks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Refrigeration | Feta cheese should be refrigerated. |
| Shelf Life | Feta cheese has a shelf life of a few months to a year. |
| Unopened Feta | An unopened container or block can retain quality for a few weeks beyond the printed expiry date. |
| Opened Feta | Leftover feta blocks and crumbles last 5 to 7 days if sealed tightly and refrigerated. |
| Extending Shelf Life | Submerging feta in brine can extend its shelf life by a few months. |
| Freezing | Freezing feta is not recommended as it can destroy the texture of the cheese. |
| Spoilage Indicators | Spoiled feta may exhibit mold growth, discoloration, a sour or rancid smell, or a slimy or overly hard texture. |
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What You'll Learn
- Feta cheese can be stored in brine for up to 6 months
- Without brine, feta will go bad in a few weeks, even in a fridge
- Feta can be frozen, but it will become crumbly
- Feta should be discarded if there is mould growth, discolouration, or a rancid smell
- Unopened feta can be stored at room temperature for a few weeks beyond the printed date
Feta cheese can be stored in brine for up to 6 months
Feta cheese is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, known for its crumbly texture and tangy taste. It is typically made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep and goat's milk. Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the quality and safety of feta cheese. Feta has a high moisture content and unique composition, making it more susceptible to spoilage compared to harder cheeses.
Feta cheese can be stored in brine to extend its shelf life. Brine is a solution of salt and water, and as long as the feta is submerged in brine, it will last a long time. Feta is often packaged in blocks with brine, or crumbled and ready to use. If you have leftover feta, you can submerge the block or crumbles in brine, and they will stay good for about a month.
To make your own brine, add one teaspoon of salt to one cup of water. You can also create a brine with milk and vinegar to replicate the calcium and acetic acid in commercial brines. To do this, mix 1/2 cup of whole milk, 1/2 cup of water, 1-1/2 teaspoons of table salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of distilled white vinegar. Place the feta in this brine in an airtight container and refrigerate for one week.
Feta cheese packed in liquid salt brine can last for up to 6 months if stored correctly. It is important to ensure that the block of feta is completely submerged in brine and that care is taken to avoid contamination. However, it is worth noting that freezing feta is not recommended as it can destroy the texture of the cheese, making it overly crumbly.
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Without brine, feta will go bad in a few weeks, even in a fridge
Feta cheese is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and is known for its distinct crumbly texture and tangy taste. It is typically made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep and goat's milk. Feta has a high moisture content and a unique composition, making it more susceptible to spoilage compared to harder cheeses.
Proper storage of feta in the refrigerator is essential to maintain its quality and extend its shelf life. Feta is often stored in brine, which helps preserve its flavour and moisture. Brine is a solution of salt and water, and as long as the feta is submerged in brine, it will last a long time. Feta packed in liquid salt brine can last for as long as 6 months if stored correctly.
However, without brine, feta will only last a few weeks, even if it is stored in a fridge. If feta is left in the refrigerator without being submerged in brine, it will only last about 5 to 7 days. During this period, the cheese will slowly dry out, become more crumbly, and may even grow mould if contaminated.
Therefore, it is recommended to store feta in brine to extend its shelf life. If you don't have enough brine to submerge your feta, you can make your own. by mixing 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup water, 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt, and 1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar. Place the feta in this brine in an airtight container and refrigerate for one week.
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Feta can be frozen, but it will become crumbly
Feta cheese is a popular dairy product that originated in Greece. It is made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep's and goat's milk and is brined to impart a distinct tangy flavor and crumbly texture. This process of brining is a type of curing wherein the feta is submerged in a brine solution (heavy saltwater) to extend its shelf life.
Feta cheese is known for its crumbly texture, and freezing it will only enhance this quality. Freezing feta is a good way to extend its shelf life, but it will become even more crumbly. Feta freezes better than many other cheeses, and it can be frozen in its brine or dry. It is important to minimize air exposure by vacuum sealing the cheese or lining a sheet tray with parchment paper and wrapping the cheese tightly in plastic. Freezing feta in this manner will give it a shelf life of 45-60 days before freezer burn sets in.
Feta cheese can also be frozen in portions in Ziploc bags or heavy-duty freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. If the cheese is dry enough, it will not become a single block of ice but will stay as separate curdles, making it easy to scoop out the desired amount. Freezing feta is a good option if you have too much, as it is better than letting it go bad.
It is important to note that freezing and thawing feta multiple times should be avoided, as this will affect the cheese's texture and flavor. Additionally, feta should not be microwaved to speed up the thawing process, but rather left to thaw overnight in the fridge.
In summary, feta cheese can be frozen, but it will become crumbly, and proper storage methods should be followed to ensure the best quality and shelf life.
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Feta should be discarded if there is mould growth, discolouration, or a rancid smell
Feta cheese is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and is known for its distinctive crumbly texture and tangy taste. It is typically made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep and goat's milk. Proper storage of feta is crucial to maintaining its quality and safety. Feta has a high moisture content and unique composition, making it more susceptible to spoilage compared to harder cheeses.
When it comes to storing feta cheese, the refrigerator is the ideal place. An unopened block of feta is fine in its original packaging. However, once the block is cut open, the cheese needs to be wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container or freezer bag if expected to be consumed within a few days. If longer storage is desired, submerging the feta in brine is recommended. Brine is a solution of salt and water, and it effectively preserves the flavour and moisture of the cheese.
However, it is important to discard feta cheese if there is any mould growth, discolouration, or a rancid smell. These are key indicators that the feta has gone bad and is unsafe to consume. Mould growth can occur if the feta is contaminated, and during spoilage, the cheese may also develop an overly hard or slimy texture. Therefore, it is essential to inspect the feta for these visual and textural changes to ensure food safety and avoid foodborne illnesses.
Additionally, feta cheese should be avoided if it exhibits harsh, unbalanced flavours. While fresh feta should have a mildly tangy taste, spoiled feta may taste overly piquant, bitter, or rancid. A yeasty aroma is another sign of spoilage, indicating the growth of acid and salt-tolerant yeasts. Thus, when feta cheese develops mould, discolouration, rancid smells, or abnormal textures and flavours, it should be discarded.
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Unopened feta can be stored at room temperature for a few weeks beyond the printed date
Feta cheese is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and is known for its distinctive flavour and crumbly texture. It is typically made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep and goat's milk. Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the quality and safety of feta cheese.
Feta is an aged cheese with a shelf life of a few months to a year. An unopened container or block can retain its quality for a couple of weeks beyond the printed date. If you need to store feta for a longer period, it is recommended to prepare enough brine to completely cover the cheese and then refrigerate it. Brine is a solution of salt and water, and as long as the feta is submerged in brine, it will last for a long time. Feta packed in liquid salt brine can last for up to 6 months if stored correctly.
If you do not have enough brine to submerge your feta, you can create your own brine by mixing ½ cup whole milk, ½ cup 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 feta cheese is highly susceptible to spoilage compared to harder cheeses due to its high moisture content. If feta cheese is not stored properly, it can develop mould, a sour or rancid smell, and a slimy or overly hard texture. Therefore, it is recommended to store feta cheese in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness, flavour, and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese lasts 5 to 7 days if sealed tightly and refrigerated.
Feta cheese will go bad in a few weeks if not refrigerated.
Feta cheese can be stored in brine for up to 6 months if stored correctly.
Brine is a solution of salt and water.
Feta cheese has gone bad if you notice mold growth, discoloration, a sour or rancid smell, or a slimy or overly hard texture.
