can you freeze feta cheese ?- When individuals are in the mood for it, feta cheese is one of their favorite foods. But how long can you keep it if you’ve bought some and the emotion hasn’t taken you as you’d hoped? Continue reading to find out the answer to this question and learn more about this Greek speciality cheese. Feta cheese is typically only available pre-crumbled or in large blocks. When you just use it once in a while, it implies that the majority of it is generally thrown away. It is sometimes available in single servings, although it is rather pricey. So determining whether or not you can freeze feta becomes a bit of a challenge.
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can you freeze feta cheese ?
Feta cheese, both in block and crumbled form, may be frozen. Feta may be frozen for at least 3 months in any situation. Make sure your feta is fresh, then package and freeze it in an airtight container.
If you’re anything like me, you don’t purchase feta very frequently. And Greek cheese may be pricey, especially if purchased at Mediterranean or Greek stores. As a result, you’re undoubtedly eager to get the most out of it.
That means repurposing leftovers rather than letting them rot in the fridge and wind up in the garbage. However, if you don’t feel like cooking with feta anytime soon, freezing may be your only choice.
Let’s look at how to freeze, defrost, and use thawed feta cheese.
How does feta cheese taste?
The distinctive characteristics of feta are its rich salty flavor and crumbly texture. It is thus one of the most popular cheeses in the world. Feta, which is typically prepared from either goat’s or sheep’s milk, is popular throughout Europe and is what gives a Greek salad its name.
If, like me, you bought feta with the intention of eating it all before it went bad, you may have wondered if you could freeze it.
Fortunately, the answer is yes. Not only that, but it is also really easy. I should be aware. I now do it on a regular basis, and I’m going to show you how.
Feta cheese may be frozen to increase its shelf life by up to three months. When you freeze it, as long as you follow the required technique and unfreeze it correctly, neither its flavor nor texture will suffer much.
When added to most foods, it does turn a bit “grainy” and tastes little less salty, but it is still delicious.
freezing feta cheese
Freezing is the preferred method for extending the shelf life of many food goods, including cheese. However, certain cheeses freeze better than others, and their attributes do not diminish much when defrosted, whilst others do not.
Feta may not be the greatest cheese to freeze because its flavor and texture will alter significantly. But it’s not a slam dunk. There are plenty worse things to do than freeze.
The secret is to correctly freeze and unfreeze. If you do it correctly, you will not have to squander any.
But before you go out and buy a bunch of it, you should think about everything. I recommend that you learn everything you can about the changes it will go through before deciding whether or not to proceed. Allow me to be your guiding light.
how to store feta cheese in the freezer ?
As previously stated, feta cheese is often available in two forms: blocks or pre-crumbled.
The freezing method differs slightly based on the variation you wish to freeze. There are step-by-step directions for both sorts below, so you’re covered either way.
freezing feta in blocks
Many fans of authentic Greek feta prefer to get their cheese from Greek markets. These marketplaces often offer their feta in large chunks that have been soaked in one of the liquids indicated before.
If you have feta cheese in blocks, here’s how to keep it in the freezer.
If the feta cheese you purchased was packaged in liquid, drain it. If it is wrapped in a packaging containing brine or another liquid, open it and drain it.
Pat the feta dry with a piece of kitchen paper.
Cut the feta into bite-sized pieces. The size of the pieces will be determined by the sorts of meals to which the cheese will be added, as well as the number of people for whom you will be preparing.
If in doubt, go for a smaller size rather than a larger one.
Now comes the packing. To keep your feta in the best possible shape when frozen, you must wrap it carefully.
Wrap each item individually with cling film. It will assist to keep air out of it and will protect it from freeze-burn. Place the wrapped pieces in a resealable plastic freezer bag and press out any excess air.
If you need to chop the feta into little cubes, place it immediately in a resealable plastic freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible.
When you only need to freeze feta for two or three days, you don’t need to be concerned about how you pack it. Simply store it in a plastic bag, freeze it, and remove it as needed, but do it quickly or the quality will suffer.
Labeling your freezer bags with a description of the contents and the date you first froze it is always a smart idea. Don’t forget to store it in an airtight container for further security.
Feta cheese is only available in large blocks or pre-crumbled. When you just use it once in a while, it implies that the majority of it is generally thrown away.
freezing feta cheese crumbles
Feta cheese can be purchased pre-crumbled. Because it is so adaptable, many people prefer to buy it in this format. It’s ideal for mixing into salads and stuffing preparations.
This is how crumbled feta is prepared and packaged for freezing.
Divide the cheese into individual servings or freeze the entire package. Whatever is most appropriate for your future goals.
When keeping feta in the freezer, keep it in the original container. However, if you do this, cover it in many layers of cling film.
Remember to label and date it.
Feta cheese can be purchased crumbled. Because it is so adaptable, many people prefer to buy it in this format. It’s ideal for mixing into salads and stuffing preparations.
how does freezing affect feta cheese?
When you freeze feta, the flavor changes. Its consistency will also change as a result of the freezing and thawing process. However, it is not the end of the world. It simply means you have to be a little more picky about which recipes you incorporate it in.
Here’s what happens to feta cheese after it’s frozen.
flavor
This Greek cheese is well-known for its delicious, acidic taste. It’s also popular for its somewhat salty flavor and creamy texture. When frozen feta is thawed, the taste loses part of its richness and intensity. It’ll also lose some of its salinity. In other words, if you spend a lot of money on real Greek feta because you enjoy its rich flavor, don’t freeze it. Having said that, it is still preferable to place it in the freezer for later use rather than throwing it out.
texture
In terms of texture, frozen, thawed feta is somewhat crumblier than fresh feta. So if you need it crumbled, you won’t have to worry about it.
When you buy feta cheese in a block, it is usually packed with brine, milk, olive oil, or water. These liquids help the cheese retain its suppleness and creaminess.
When you freeze it, the liquid shifts, causing the feta to dry up slightly. Furthermore, feta may contain up to 56 percent water.
When feta freezes, the water crystallizes and separates from the cheese. This is why it becomes crumblier.
How long can you keep feta cheese in the freezer?
Feta cheese, like all dairy products, has a rather short shelf life.
- When you buy feta cheese, the box will have a “best-used-by” date printed on it. If the cheese is packed in liquid and has not been opened, you can store it for up to a week after the expiration date.
- Its life will be shortened if the box is opened and the liquid is emptied. In around seven days, it will begin to deteriorate.
- If you open your feta carton and leave it in brine in the fridge for up to a month, it will retain its greatest features.
- Olive oil is a natural preservative that may be used to keep feta fresh. It will remain in good condition for the same amount of time as when stored in brine.
- Its shelf life will be extended even more if you store it in the freezer.
- Feta preserved in the freezer will keep its quality for about a month. However, you can keep it for up to two to three months.
- Keep in mind that how well the cheese fares in cold storage is heavily dependent on how well you prepare and pack it.
indications that your feta cheese has gone bad
Even if you do everything correctly while preparing your feta for freezing, it may still go bad for one reason. Knowing what signals to watch for that the cheese has turned is therefore helpful.
If it begins to smell rotten. When dairy spoils, it emits a sour odor. Check for this whether it is opened fresh from the refrigerator or store, or thawed from frozen. If it stinks, don’t eat it.
Some cheeses (especially hard cheeses) can mold if left alone, and you can simply chop away the moldy portions and consume the remainder.
This is not the case with feta cheese. Feta is a soft cheese that easily absorbs mold. So, if you see mold, discard the entire piece of cheese.
how to thaw frozen feta cheese
- Never, ever thaw feta cheese by keeping it at room temperature on your kitchen work surface.
- Instead, take it out of the freezer and place it in the fridge for a few hours before you need it. Depending on the size of the piece, it will take between three and twelve hours to thaw completely.
- I always put frozen feta in the fridge overnight, and it’s fine and ready to use the next day.
- Here’s what to do if you didn’t prepare ahead of time and need to thaw it quickly.
- Remove it from the freezer and set it in a dish of ice water. This method should allow it to defrost in one to two hours.
- The flavor and texture of feta cheese alter when it is frozen and defrosted.
- There are techniques to mitigate these alterations or restore some of its lost tastes.
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