Feta cheese is a truly wonderful food that can add flavor to any dish. But, like any cheese, its freshness and flavor can quickly begin to degrade if not stored properly. So, if you’re looking for the best way to store and enjoy feta cheese, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll talk about the different storage options for feta cheese, how to tell if it’s gone bad, and some delicious recipes to use with your fresh feta cheese. Whether you’re a cheese lover or just looking for new ideas for your kitchen, this guide will help you make the most of your feta cheese!
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How do you keep feta cheese fresh longer?
If you want to keep your feta cheese fresh for as long as possible, brining is an excellent solution. Brined feta has a longer shelf-life and will maintain its texture, flavor and color much better than unbrined cheese. Here’s how:
Step 1: Create the brine.
To make the brine, dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in 1 cup of water in an airtight container. Make sure that it is completely dissolved before continuing.
Step 2: Submerge the cheese.
Submerge the feta cheese in the brine, making sure that it is completely covered by the liquid. If you find that you don’t have enough brine to achieve this, no problem – simply add more water!
Step 3: Seal and refrigerate.
- Once the cheese is submerged, seal the container securely so that no air can get in.
- Place it in the refrigerator and allow it to sit overnight or until ready to use.
Brining feta cheese using this method is easy, fast and ensures that your cheese lasts much longer. Just remember to use the brined feta within a few days of making it.
Risking It: Can You Eat Expired Feta?
When it comes to determining the safety of feta cheese after its expiry date, the most important thing to consider is the texture. Feta cheese should be consumed while it’s still soft, creamy and crumbly, not once it becomes dry, hard and gritty.
Fortunately, there are a few signs you can look for if you want to check whether your feta cheese is still safe to eat before you take a bite. Here are some of the most common indicators:
- Expiration date: This should go without saying. While supermarkets usually give a generous shelf life of 3-5 weeks past their production date, no one should risk consuming feta cheese that’s expired.
- Smell: The particular aroma of feta is unmistakable – sour and tangy, not stale and funky. If your feta has an unpleasant odor, throw away immediately as it may have gone bad.
- Texture: Feta cheese is always soft, creamy and crumbly. Anything that has become dry, hard and gritty indicates that the product has gone bad and shouldn’t be consumed.
- Taste: While expired feta may still be safe to eat in some cases, it won’t taste very good. If your feta tastes off in any way (sour or bitter), don’t take the risk – throw out whatever remains from the packet.
Remember – if there’s any doubt about whether your feta has gone bad or not, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard the product!
Frozen Feta? Not the Best Idea
Freezing cheese can have a dramatic effect on its structure, texture, and ripening process. For many types of cheese, it is advised to avoid freezing them. Keep reading to learn why.
When cheese is frozen, ice crystals form which will alter its composition. As a result, the structure of the cheese can be significantly affected. It could become drier, more crumbly, or mealy. This in turn will cause its texture to change.
Furthermore, freezing can halt the natural ripening process of cheeses that have beneficial mold populations.
What are some tips for storing cheese?
The key to maintaining a cheese’s quality is proper storage at room temperature.
- Keep cheese tightly wrapped or in containers.
- Avoid wrapping it in plastic wrap or foil.
- Choose containers that are not airtight since too much moisture can impact the flavor and texture of the cheese.
- Store your cheese away from strong-smelling items such as onions and garlic as they can contaminate the flavor.
If you do choose to freeze your cheese, try to consume it within one month and avoid freezing hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Romano.
Storing Feta for Maximum Freshness
Feta cheese, with its characteristic saltiness and creamy texture, is a favorite among many. But how long can you store it before it goes bad?
If you open a pack of feta cheese crumbles, proper storage is key if you want to maximize its shelf life. The best way to preserve the quality and taste of the cheese is to keep it tightly sealed.
Properly stored, an opened package of feta cheese crumbles will stay good for about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
To keep your feta cheese at its best, here are some tips:
- Keep the package tightly sealed until ready to use.
- Store it on a low shelf in the refrigerator as this preserves air flow and prevents condensation from direct contact with cold surfaces.
- If you don’t plan to go through the entire container at once, divide it into several smaller portions or plastic bags.
- Look for signs of mold growth or off-odors. When in doubt, throw it out!
In short, properly stored feta cheese crumbles will be good for up to 7 days when kept in a sealed package in the refrigerator.
Making the Most of Leftover Feta
Feta cheese is a delicious, salty treat that adds flavor to any meal. It has a unique, creamy texture that pairs perfectly with dishes ranging from soups to salads.
One of the easiest ways to use feta cheese is crumbled over a classic salad. Add a sprinkle of feta crumbles to your favorite romaine lettuce or spinach dish and enjoy the contrast of crisp lettuce and creamy cheese. Feta also pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini. Try tossing your favorite vegetables with a mixture of olive oil and feta flakes, then roasting in the oven.
If you’re looking for something heartier, feta is a great addition to pastas, grains, casseroles, and pies. Try adding some feta cubes to your next macaroni and cheese or pizza and taste the difference! You can also use feta as an ingredient in savory galettes—flaky pastry turnovers filled with cheese and diced vegetables.
For a more traditional Greek appeal, serve feta cubed or crumbled with a plate of olives, peppers, olive oil, and fresh flatbread. This makes for an easy appetizer or side dish that’s sure to please any crowd at your next gathering.
Any leftover feta can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Freezing is also an option; just make sure the cheese is sealed tightly in a plastic bag or wrap.
Whether you’re just learning to cook or are a seasoned pro in the kitchen, feta cheese can be used for all sorts of dishes. Try it out today for yourself and see why it’s one of the most beloved cheeses around!
Does Freezing Change the Taste of Cheese?
Freezing cheese doesn’t adversely affect its flavor much, but it does change the texture of the cheese. This is why it’s best if frozen cheese is melted to make delicious dishes. If you’re willing to work with your ingredients, there are many delicious recipes that can be created by freezing and thawing cheese.
While the flavor of cheese may not change much, the texture certainly does. Cheese that has been frozen will become harder and less malleable. This means that it won’t melt as easily as fresh cheese and may even take on a ‘gritty’ texture when worked. For dishes like mac n’ cheese or nachos, it’s best to use fresh cheese that hasn’t been frozen.
The good news is that if you freeze your cheese in airtight bags or containers, you’ll be able to enjoy it for a few months after thawing. While some microbes will grow in the cheese while it’s frozen, they will not be able to settle in and cause spoilage. This means that when you defrost the cheese, you’ll still get a great tasting product.
When preparing recipes with cheese, think about the texture of the dish before adding the frozen variety. If the dish requires melted and gooey ingredients, opt for fresh (or refrigerated) instead. But if the dish calls for chunks of solid cheese—think pizza toppings or burgers—then frozen would work great!
In conclusion
freezing and thawing can impact the texture of your cheese but not necessarily its flavor. So don’t feel limited by having some frozen blocks of your favorite variety in your freezer – get creative and explore all the tastie recipes you can make with this delicious ingredient!
