For lovers of soft pickled cheeses, a note: how, where and how long to store feta cheese?

Brynza is a soft pickled cheese with a delicate salty consistency. Over time, the taste of this product deteriorates, so it is best to eat it fresh.

If the cheese was purchased in large quantities, the question arises about its proper storage. We'll tell you how to store cheese in this article.

Deadlines

GOST regulates the shelf life of soft salted cheese:

• in brine - up to 75 days;
• without brine - up to 30 days.

The manufacturer indicates the exact storage time and temperature for store-bought cheese on the packaging.

Storage at home

Soft, salty cheese cannot be stored:

1. In a metal container. With such storage, the cheese will begin to deteriorate and lose its taste.
2. In water. This is where the cheese will begin to lose its shape. The salt from the cheese will gradually be washed out, and the taste will deteriorate. It is permissible to briefly immerse the cheese in water only before serving if the product is too salty.

Soft cheese can be kept both in the refrigerator and without it. The basic rule is compliance with all storage conditions.

In a refrigerator

The main condition for storing cheese in the refrigerator is the presence of airtight containers. The best option is a container with a tightly covered lid.. Brynza, like other brine cheeses, does not have a crust that would protect it from the environment and further drying.

It is recommended to store cheese on the middle shelf of the refrigerator. Storage conditions in the refrigerator depend on the packaging:

1. Plastic container. In such a container, the cheese will remain fresh for no longer than 3 days at a temperature from +1°C to +5°C.
2. Enameled cookware. It is better to place cheese in it, after wrapping it in foil. The shelf life of the product in this case will be 14 days.
3. Factory packaging. As long as the product is unopened, it can remain in the refrigerator until the expiration date indicated on the package. After opening - no longer than 5 days. It is best to place the package of soft cheese on the middle shelf of the refrigerator.

In such conditions, cheese can be stored in a refrigerator without brine.

At room temperature

If it is not possible to place cheese in the refrigerator, the shelf life of the product is reduced.

The duration of storage depends on the characteristics of the product itself:

• in store packaging - no longer than 24 hours;
• in brine - no longer than 2 days;
• without brine - 6-8 hours.

After purchasing, it is advisable to immediately store the soft cheese in the refrigerator.

In serum fluid

Bryndza in brine retains its taste and benefits longer. Without this liquid, the cheese will quickly begin to crust and spoil. On the shelves of the refrigerator in this solution the product will remain fresh for up to 14 days.

Without a refrigerator, cheese in brine can be stored in a cool place for up to 48 hours. It is best to keep the cheese with the brine in a glass container.

Before serving, soft cheese removed from the brine can be dipped in milk or water for 5 minutes. This method will help remove excess salt from the product.

This video will tell you about storing cheese:

How to prepare brine?

The original whey solution helps the cheese stay fresh longer. Therefore, it is recommended to buy the product in brine. But if this is not possible, you can prepare a healthy liquid yourself.

There are two types of brine for cheese:

1. Raw. You will need enough brine so that the entire piece of cheese is completely covered. Pour salt into prepared boiled water at the rate of 1-2 tsp. for 1 glass of water.
2. With herbs. Prepare a salt solution using the method indicated above. Add dry ingredients to the resulting liquid: garlic, parsley, dill, cumin, red pepper. You can add some mustard seeds and sunflower oil to taste.

Can it be frozen?

If it is not possible to eat all the cheese at once, you can store it on the shelves of the freezer. The product must first be wrapped in foil or cling film.. You can also place the cheese in a vacuum bag.

At temperatures from -15°C, cheese will remain fresh for up to 8 months. But during the freezing process, the product will lose most of its beneficial properties.

The taste of the cheese will also change. Therefore, freezing this fermented milk product is a last resort. It is more appropriate to use the thawed product for preparing salads and other dishes.

Before putting it in the freezer, soft cheese must be divided into portions. and pack into bags. You can also chop it into cubes or strips.

Each package must indicate the start date of freezing. This measure will not allow you to miss the expiration date of the product.

Signs of spoilage, should I use such a product?

When purchasing store-bought cheese, you should pay attention to the expiration dates of the product. All information is contained on the packaging. Deadlines must be observed as carefully as possible. After the expiration date, soft cheese is unfit for consumption.

It is useful to pay attention to the following features:

1. Color. Ideally, it should be smooth and white.
2. The piece should be elastic and soft to the touch.
3. If you cut a piece from soft cheese, the latter will not crumble and stick to the knife. In the cut area, pores and eyes of various shapes will be clearly visible.
4. If the product emits an unpleasant odor, and the piece itself has become slippery to the touch, the product is unsuitable for consumption. A spoiled product will stick to the knife when cutting. Gray or yellow spots and dry areas are observed on the piece.
5. Fresh soft cheese has a salty taste and a sour-milk aroma.

If you buy cheese at the market, you can ask the seller to cut off a piece of the product for testing. A quality product has a pronounced salty-milky taste, without bitterness or sourness.

If a piece of soft, salty cheese shows at least one sign of spoilage, it is better to discard the product. Eating spoiled cheese can be hazardous to health.

If the soft cheese has reached the end of its shelf life and the product has dried out, can be used for baking. When exposed to high temperatures, the bacteria inside the product will die. True, along with them it will lose its main useful qualities.

Before preparing such dishes, it is recommended to soak the product for 30-60 minutes in fresh or sour milk.

Pie with cheese and tomatoes, video recipe:

Conclusion

If you follow all the necessary storage recommendations, the cheese will last longer. To prolong the freshness of the product, it is better to place it in brine. A product wrapped in foil will also not spoil immediately.

Freezing soft cheese should only be used as a last resort.. Negative temperatures spoil the taste of fermented milk products.