National treasure of Cyprus: how to store and can halloumi cheese be frozen?
Halloumi is a semi-hard brined cheese made from a mixture of goat's milk and sheep's milk. In industrial production, cow's milk is often used for its preparation.
The product is considered a national treasure of Cyprus and is widely used in Greek, Israeli and Jordanian cuisine. As of 2021, the EU has granted Cyprus the exclusive right to produce halloumi.
We'll talk about storing and freezing halloumi cheese in this article.
Content
Product Features
Due to its high melting point, halloumi cheese is most often used for frying or grilling. There is no need to be afraid that the product will melt and lose its original shape.
Among the unique characteristics of the product Cheesemakers call the following properties:
salty-creamy taste with spicy notes of mint;- elastic layered, fairly dense texture;
- lack of a characteristic crust, which is associated with storage in brine;
- high refractoriness;
- rich in organic and fatty acids, amino acids;
- contains retinol, choline, minerals and even ascorbic acid (which is not typical for fermented milk products).
This product:
- has antimicrobial properties,
- reduces blood glucose levels,
- improves the functions of the body's immune system.
Calorie content and dietary fat content may vary depending on the manufacturer and brand, but these differences are usually insignificant.
| Calorie content per 100 g of product | Squirrels | Fats | Carbohydrates |
| 316-352 kcal | 23 g | 26 g | 2 g |
Halloumi, made from cow's milk, is a more dietary cheese compared to its counterpart made from goat's and sheep's milk. Its fat content does not exceed 25%, whereas for a product made from formula milk it is almost 47%.
The product is unlikely to be suitable for supporters of the vegan food system., because when preparing it, cheese makers use rennet of animal origin.
How to make fried halloumi cheese, video recipe:
Shelf life and storage in the refrigerator and freezer
Halloumi is usually packed in a vacuum bag and box. Airtight packaging is necessary to ensure that the cheese is always in brine and remains fresh. However, the longer the cheese is stored, the denser its structure will become.
The shelf life of a product depends on the form in which and at what temperature you store it.:
| In the refrigerator (0-6? C) | In the freezer (from -14 to -16? C) | |
| Closed halloumi | 8-12 months | 6-9 months |
| Open halloumi | 3-5 days | 4-6 months |
| Cooked halloumi | 10-14 days | 4-6 months |
Spices in cheese are not only a way to diversify its taste. Manufacturers claim that this is an additional opportunity to extend shelf life.
Some cheese connoisseurs advise storing it in olive oil. The only thing is that this method can hardly be called budgetary.
Is freezing allowed?
Unique production technology and semi-solid texture allow the product to be frozen without loss of taste. Most cheeses are stored in the freezer for up to six months, after which their taste changes for the worse.
The situation with halloumi is different - the cheese lasts longer and remains just as tasty. Its texture may become a little denser, but these changes are insignificant. It is recommended to freeze not chopped cheese, but the entire block in an airtight package.
Moreover, you can even freeze a cooked (fried) product. However, be prepared for the cheese to lose its crispness and become softer.
How to freeze correctly?
Freezing technology halloumi cheese is not particularly complex:
- Wrap the block of cheese in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight bag specially designed for freezing. It is important that the chosen packaging is moisture resistant. The product in its original production container does not need to be additionally packaged.
- Put the freezing date on each container to make it easier to navigate the shelf life later.
- Select the driest place in the freezer for storage where there is no risk of possible ice formation.
- Store the cheese for no more than 6-9 months so that it does not subsequently lose its unique taste.
Conclusion
Halloumi is a lightly salted brine cheese with a high degree of refractoriness. Used in cooking raw, baked or fried. The product is rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Shelf life depends on the air temperature and whether the packaging is sealed or not.. Cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life.
