What are the conditions and temperature for storing cottage cheese?

Compliance with the temperature regime is mandatory when storing cottage cheese.

When temperatures rise or change, this product begins to deteriorate and lose its beneficial properties.

Compliance with the storage conditions and temperature of cottage cheese will keep it fresh for a long time.

Requirements according to GOST and SanPiN

It is recommended to store cottage cheese in the refrigerator for no more than 7 days at a temperature from 0 °C to 8 °C. The product should not be exposed to temperature changes. Otherwise, the consistency of the product will change.

The shelf life of cottage cheese depends on the temperature and storage location of the product:

1. Room temperature. At temperatures from + 18°C ​​to +25°C, the fermented milk product will spoil in 4-6 hours. Therefore, it is recommended to remove small portions of the product from the refrigerator.

   The rest should be sent back to the refrigerator. Fermented milk products should not be left in direct sunlight or near heating appliances.

2. In a refrigerator. In the refrigerator compartment, the product remains fresh at a temperature from +2°C to +4°C for a period of 1 to 5 days.
3. In the freezer. At temperatures from -18°C to -35°C, cottage cheese can be stored for up to 60 days. From 0°C to -15°C – 7-14 days. After freezing, the product will not lose its beneficial qualities, but will change consistency.The defrosted product will not be crumbly, but will resemble a curd mass.

How to store it?

Different types of cottage cheese have different shelf life. Even if these products are stored at the same temperature, high-fat cottage cheese will spoil faster than low-fat cottage cheese.

In a closed package

The maximum storage time for store-bought cottage cheese in sealed packaging is 14 days at temperatures from 0°C to 6°C. A pasteurized product in a closed package remains fresh for 5-7 days at the same temperature. The product sealed in vacuum packaging will remain fresh for a month.

After opening

Once the package is opened, this perishable product can be stored for more than 24 hours. And only on refrigerator shelves at temperatures from 0 °C to 6 °C. If you transfer the cottage cheese from a store-bought package into an enamel bowl or plastic box, the shelf life increases to 2 days.

Home

This fermented milk product considered the most useful, because it is made by hand without adding preservatives.

But it is the absence of preservatives and heat treatment that reduces the shelf life of this product.

The maximum shelf life of homemade treats is 72 hours.. But it is better to consume it within 24 hours from the moment of preparation.

Natural

The more natural the product, the sooner it will begin to deteriorate. Without heat treatment and preservatives, natural cottage cheese is not stored for long. Just like children's cottage cheese, the natural product cannot be stored for longer than 72 hours at temperatures from 0 °C to 8 °C.

To extend the shelf life of natural and homemade cottage cheese, It is recommended to wrap the product in foil or parchment. On the shelves of the refrigerator, such a product will remain fresh for 4-5 days.

Goat

The storage temperature for cottage cheese made from goat milk varies from 4 °C to 8 °C. Under these conditions, the product will remain fresh for 72 hours.

Curd whey

Liquid drained during the preparation of cottage cheese - whey, used for gastronomic and cosmetic purposes. Its shelf life depends on the type of liquid product:

1. Fresh natural Curd whey without adding preservatives is stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
2. Store-bought serum. The expiration date of a store-bought product in a closed package is indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer. After opening the package, it is better to pour the remaining whey into a glass jar. Cover the container tightly with a lid and place it on the middle shelf of the refrigerator. Here the product can remain for up to 72 hours at a temperature not exceeding 5 °C.

At room temperature, the serum is stored for no longer than 2 days. The air temperature in the room should not exceed 15 °C. Homemade whey can be stored on the balcony or in the cellar.

Frozen product remains fresh for up to six months. Expired serum cannot be drunk, but can be used for cosmetic purposes.

Low fat

It is prepared from milk that has undergone a separation process, that is, removal of cream. The low-fat product remains fresh longer than other types of fermented milk products. It can be stored for up to 5 days at temperatures from 0 °C to 8 °C.

Fatty

Made from whole milk. Cottage cheese with a fat content of 19% or more spoils faster than other varieties. At temperatures from 0 °C to 5 °C, such products remain fresh for up to 24 hours.

Fermented milk products

The maximum shelf life for curd dishes is 72 hours. But it is most beneficial to eat them within 24 hours after preparation.

Storage duration of dishes with curd filling:

• pie - up to 1 day;
• pancakes - up to 12 hours;
• cheesecakes, casserole - up to 1 day;
• desserts, cakes with curd cream - until 18 hours.

Conclusion

Compliance with the temperature regime and the correct storage location are the main requirements for storing cottage cheese. On the shelves of the refrigerator, this product does not lose its taste and benefits for several days.

Fermented milk products can be frozen. It is better not to store perishable products at room temperature.