Important features, or how long loose cottage cheese is stored in the refrigerator and without
Cottage cheese is one of the healthy fermented milk products that has a rich composition. You can buy it packaged, in the form of desserts or by weight.
The peculiarity of the product is its very limited shelf life, especially for the loose version, which is sold unpackaged.
We will tell you further about how long loose cottage cheese can be stored in the refrigerator and without.
Content
Shelf life of a product sold by weight
A loose product does not have individual packaging, so its shelf life is significantly shorter than that of a packaged and hermetically sealed product.
The shelf life of loose cottage cheese is shorter than that of pasteurized and hermetically packaged cottage cheese at the dairy.
In a refrigerator
Cottage cheese by weight on the refrigerator shelf can lie for up to 5 days, but all factors must be taken into account:
- fat content;
- presence serum;
- freshness;
- package;
- the presence of additives, for example, raisins, etc.
If the refrigerator has a chamber with a temperature of 0? C with low humidity, such conditions are even more suitable for finding the product. But it is important to choose the right container with a lid. If the cottage cheese is purchased not entirely fresh, its shelf life is reduced.
In the freezer
If you do not plan to prepare dishes from loose cottage cheese in the coming days, and it will not be eaten fresh, it can be frozen. This method makes it possible to significantly extend the shelf life.
For easy storage the entire mass of the product is packaged before being sent to the freezer in separate portions without access to oxygen, in ziplock bags or containers.
In order not to forget exactly when the container was placed in the cold, it is advisable to attach labels indicating the date. After defrosting, re-freezing is not permissible.
The lower the temperature in the freezer, the longer the product can remain there:
| Temperature, ?С | Average duration of detention, days. |
| -35 | 30 |
| -25 | 20 |
| -12-18 | 14 |
| -2 | 7 |
In addition to the temperature in the chamber, for the duration of storage affects the original condition of the product:
- fat content,
- freshness,
- presence of serum, etc.
Fattier varieties, which do not contain whey, may last longer than low-fat varieties. Before placing in the cold, all whey must be removed - the drier the product is initially, the better.
This video will tell you about freezing cottage cheese:
At room temperature
You should not leave loose cottage cheese lying at room temperature. At high temperatures it will quickly turn sour. You can simply keep the product on the table for literally a couple of hours. out of direct sunlight and away from heating devices.
How to store it correctly?
Cottage cheese purchased by weight must be immediately placed in the refrigerator. If you plan to freeze the product, it is best to do this while it is fresh, without delaying it for long.
Open
On the refrigerator shelf, the cottage cheese can remain on a plate or in an open container.
This method is suitable when the dish is planned to be served immediately. If there is no packaging and lid, the product will not last longer than 2 days..
If sour cream, fruits, sugar, etc. are added to the curd mass, the shelf life is reduced.
In polyethylene
Cottage cheese is most often poured into a plastic bag at the time of purchase. You can put it in the refrigerator in this form, but it will not be stored for long. This type of packaging cannot be compared with factory packaging.
With such an organization, the cottage cheese will “suffocate” literally in a day, and the next day you can only use it for baking.
In an enamel container
When placed in an enamel (glass) pan with a lid, the product is stored better. It can lie for up to 4-5 days. But it is recommended to eat it fresh within a couple of days.
How can I extend the storage period?
Cottage cheese bought by weight can be kept for a short time in the same bag into which it was poured immediately. But at home it is recommended to transfer it to containers made of glass, ceramics or enamel.
Place a cotton napkin at the bottom of the prepared container.. An airtight, tight-fitting lid is a must.If you don't have it, you can use cling film by pressing it around the perimeter of the container.
It is important to ensure that the cottage cheese does not come into contact with other products and has less contact with air.
Temperature
Cottage cheese by weight can be kept in the refrigerator for several days, at a temperature no higher than 5-7? C. If the conditions are not correct, fermented milk products will quickly deteriorate.
To keep cottage cheese for a long time, it must be frozen. And even then, it will not be able to be stored for more than a few weeks.
Signs of damage
Loose cottage cheese is stored worse than packaged and hermetically sealed cottage cheese and can easily spoil.
The cause of product spoilage may be:
- Improper storage.
- Storage for too long (exceeding the established period).
- Purchasing a low-quality product.
Because the loose cottage cheese began to disappear, may indicate the following signs:
- unpleasant odor;
- color change;
- the appearance of mold;
- change in consistency;
- unpleasant bitter taste.
Conclusion
When buying loose cottage cheese, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the product and its shelf life. A stale product that has already begun to show signs of spoilage is not only not beneficial, but can also be harmful to health.
