An important component of a healthy diet: how long does homemade cottage cheese last in the refrigerator and without?

Fermented milk products, including homemade cottage cheese, are an important component of a healthy diet, have a pleasant taste, and can be used both fresh and for preparing various dishes.

But such a product is quite demanding in terms of maintenance conditions. We will tell you further how long homemade cottage cheese can be stored in the refrigerator and without.

Storage duration

Homemade cottage cheese is perishable. It can remain fresh for no more than 5 days, and only if the storage rules are strictly followed. The duration of storage depends largely on the processing method.

The duration of detention is influenced by the following factors:

• temperature;
• container;
• air access;
• fat content;
• presence/absence serum;
• grain;
• presence/absence of additives;
• quality and characteristics of the milk from which curd products were produced.

How long can it be kept in the refrigerator?

In a refrigerator at a temperature from +1 to +7? C, homemade cottage cheese can last up to 5 days.

A prerequisite is to cover the container with a lid.so that it does not become chapped, and no contact with other products, including fermented milk.

When stored in an open container, the product will become unusable very quickly, literally within a day.

What's the best way to keep it fresh at room temperature?

Dairy and fermented milk products should not be stored without a refrigerator. The maximum time spent at room temperature for homemade cottage cheese is no more than 6 hours, in hot weather it is even less.

And even in this case, the following requirements must be met:

• Pre-cooling is desirable;
• the lid should not be used;
• the whey, if any, should be drained, and the curd should be squeezed out;
• a loose product lies better than a wet and compressed one;
• Do not keep the dish in direct sunlight.

Alternatively, you can do the following:

1. Place a teaspoon of salt on the bottom of a clay (or glass) container.
2. Cover the inner surface with a piece of natural light cotton or linen.
3. Place cottage cheese on top of the fabric.
4. Cover the container with a cloth previously soaked in saline solution.

For the storage method in fabric, use non-fading material that does not contain synthetic impurities.

Which is correct?

If purchased without sealed packaging, cottage cheese has a short shelf life. Weighed, farm and village, made not on industrial equipment, it must initially have certain characteristics that distinguish a quality product:

• uniform, natural shade;
• soft plastic texture;
• pleasant taste and color.

Store cottage cheese adhering to the following rules:

• being in a cool place;
• avoiding contact with other products;
• different types are stored separately;
• Cottage cheese purchased at different times is stored separately;
• the packaging must be intended for contact with food products and have a lid.

For low-fat cottage cheese, the presence of a certain amount of whey is considered normal.

How to increase shelf life for a long time?

Correctly selected packaging and storage in the refrigerator can increase shelf life:

If the refrigerator has an antibacterial system, the shelf life increases, taking into account the type of packaging, by another day.

It is almost impossible to significantly extend the shelf life without freezing. The duration of stay without loss of its qualities is:

• 1 month at a temperature of -18? C;
• 2 months at a temperature of -35? C.

Despite the possibility of extending the shelf life of the product, nutritionists recommend using fresh homemade cottage cheese as quickly as possible. When exposed to low temperatures, it becomes drier and changes its taste.

The product must be defrosted gradually. The best option is to transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator so that it slowly thaws. Once thawed, cottage cheese cannot be re-frozen.

The freezing method is more suitable for cases where the product is planned to be used as a component in the preparation of other dishes (cottage cheese, casseroles, etc.), rather than fresh. If you plan to prepare the cottage cheese for long-term storage, then this must be done immediately.There is no point in putting stale food in the freezer.

If fruits, sour cream or other ingredients have been added to the cottage cheese, its shelf life is reduced.

Recommendations for freezing can be found in the video:

Signs of damage

The condition of a product can be determined by several factors. The fact that the product has disappeared and cannot be used for food may be indicated by:

• unpleasant odor (moldy, rotten, sour, etc.);
• unpleasant bitter taste;
• change in appearance (appearance of mucus, mold, change in color and consistency).

Conclusion

Homemade cottage cheese is a nutritious, healthy product that can be used in dietary and baby food. But even it can cause poisoning and indigestion if stored improperly. Homemade cottage cheese You can not only buy ready-made at the farmers market, but also cook it yourself.