How Do You Store Feta Cheese? | Store It Right & Make It Last

How Do You Store Feta Cheese: The Key to Keeping it Fresh and Flavorful

Feta cheese – that salty, crumbly staple of Mediterranean dishes – brings a burst of unique flavor to salads, dips, and so many other recipes! But with its tendency to dry out quickly, how do you keep your feta fresh and tasty? Good news: there are several great ways to do just that!

Understanding Feta

Before we dive into storage, a quick feta refresher:

• It’s traditionally made from sheep or goat milk. This gives it that characteristic tangy flavor
• Brine is its friend. The cheese is usually sold in containers packed with salty water to keep it moist and delicious.

Storage Method 1: The Original Brine

The easiest way to store feta is to keep it in its original brine! Here’s how:

1. Don’t throw it away! The brine in that container is super helpful.
2. Tightly sealed container. Make sure your container has an airtight lid – a glass jar works well.
3. Refrigerate and enjoy. Stored this way, your feta should last for several weeks!

Storage Method 2: Make Your Own Brine

Lost the original brine or bought your feta in a block? No worries, making your own brine is super easy!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of salt

Instructions:

1. Dissolve the salt. Stir the salt into the water until fully dissolved.
2. Submerge the cheese. Put your feta in an airtight container and cover it completely with the brine.
3. Refrigerate. Your feta will be happy in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Storage Method 3: Olive Oil Bath

Want a flavor infusion with your storage? Try an olive oil bath!

1. Cut your feta. Smaller pieces work best – think cubes or slices.
2. Find a container. Use a jar or a container with a tight-fitting lid.
3. Layer it up. Layer feta and add olive oil until the cheese is covered. You can add herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.
4. Store in the fridge! This method keeps your feta flavorful for up to a month.

Table 1: Feta Cheese Storage Methods

Method	Pros	Cons
Original Brine	Easy & maintains flavor	Brine can become too salty over time
Homemade Brine	Customizable salinity	Requires extra steps
Olive Oil	Adds flavor infusion	Can be messy

Important Tips:

• Refrigeration is your friend! Regardless of your chosen storage method, feta cheese should always be kept in the refrigerator.
• Look for signs of spoilage. Before using stored feta, check for mold, discoloration, or a bad smell.
• Change things up! If your brine gets too salty, replace it with fresh brine. Don’t want too much oil? You can always remove the feta from the oil and store it with brine instead.

Alright, let’s explore some more ways to keep your feta fresh and delicious!

Storage Method 4: Milk It!

For a milder flavor, consider storing your feta in milk:

1. Slice or crumble. It depends on how you’ll use the feta later.
2. Submerge. Place the cheese in an airtight container and cover completely with milk.
3. Chill out. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Storage Method 5: Wax Paper Wrap

Want to avoid liquids altogether? Wax paper is a simple solution:

1. Dry the feta. Pat the cheese with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
2. Wrap it up! Wrap the cheese tightly in wax paper.
3. Seal and refrigerate. Place the wrapped feta in an airtight container or resealable bag and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Table 2: More Feta Storage Techniques

Method	Pros	Cons
Milk	Milder flavor	Shorter shelf life
Wax Paper	No liquid, easy to use	Dries out faster than other methods

Additional Tips for Storing Feta Cheese:

• Smaller is better. For longer storage, cut your feta into smaller pieces. This reduces the surface area exposed to air, keeping it fresher.
• The coldest part is key. Store your feta in the coldest part of your refrigerator (usually the back) for maximum freshness.
• Fresh is best. While storing methods can prolong the life of feta, it’s always best to use it as fresh as possible for optimal flavor and texture.

Freezing Feta: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can freeze feta, but there’s a catch: the texture will change.

Here’s how to freeze feta and what to expect:

1. Drain and cut. Remove any brine or liquid, and pat the cheese dry. Cut it into smaller pieces.
2. Tightly wrap. Use plastic wrap or a freezer-safe bag to tightly wrap the cheese.
3. Freeze! Label your feta with the date and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
4. Understand the tradeoff. Frozen feta will become more crumbly and lose some of its tangy flavor, but it’s still perfectly safe to use.

Table 3: When to Freeze Feta

Ideal Situations	Not Ideal Situations
Crumbling into salads or cooked dishes	Eating as is, where the original texture is desired

In Conclusion- How Do You Store Feta Cheese?

Storing feta cheese doesn’t have to be a hassle. By using the right storage methods like brine, olive oil, or milk, you can keep your feta fresh and delicious for significantly longer. Remember, proper refrigeration is essential for all storage methods!