Feta cheese is made from sheep’s milk or goat’s milk. Feta cheese is a type of white brined cheese that is often crumbled on salads, dipped in olive oil, or eaten as a dessert with fruit.
Does Feta Cheese Go Bad?
Feta cheese does not spoil easily, but it can go bad due to many factors such as improper storage. The most common cause of going bad is when the feta cheese is exposed to high temperatures, which leads to the growth of bacteria such as listeria and salmonella.
The second most common cause for spoilage is improper storage; feta should always be stored at a temperature under 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius).
How Long Does Feta Cheese Last?
How long your Feta cheese lasts will depend on whether it has been opened and where it’s stored.
For Feta cheese that is opened or unopened, it will last for about two hours when stored at room temperature. After 2 hours, you should discard it. More than likely, the cheese will be contaminated with bacteria.
Feta cheese that has been opened can be stored for 4-6 weeks in the refrigerator. The cheese should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or wax paper and then placed inside a sealed container.
If you want to keep them fresh longer, store them in the freezer. You can keep Feta cheese in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Store Feta Cheese
Feta cheese should always be stored in the fridge or freezer. Never leave the cheese out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. If so, the cheese will need to be thrown away due to bacteria contamination.
In the fridge, the block of feta cheese is typically wrapped in plastic and then placed in a perforated plastic container. The container is designed to allow the cheese to breathe and prevent it from drying out. Cheese should also be stored away from other foods that emit strong odors, such as onions, garlic, and fish.
For freezer storage, keep the cheese in an airtight container or freezer bag. This will prevent air from leaking in and destroying the cheese.
How to Tell If Feta Cheese Is Bad?
No one wants to eat food that has gone bad and it can happen with feta cheese too.
Here are some signs that the feta cheese might be bad:
Smell: Feta should not smell sour or unpleasant, but rather pleasantly tangy.
Appearance: If it starts to look dry, crumbly, or any unusual color that doesn’t look like feta’s usually white, cream, or yellow color then it might be spoiled or old and we should throw it out before consumption
Texture: It starts to get softer and the texture becomes creamy. If the cheese has a watery consistency, it is likely that it has gone bad.
How To Keep Feta Cheese Fresh Longer
Keeping feta cheese fresh longer is not an easy task. But these few things can help you preserve your cheese for a bit more time.
One thing you can do is to keep the cheese away from any moisture or wetness. Try to store it in a dry and cool place like on top of the fridge, in the basement, or in the pantry.
Another thing you can do is to wrap your feta cheese tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap before storing it in the refrigerator. This will help keep moisture out of the cheese and also prevent any bacteria that might grow on it from entering inside.
The third way to keep feta cheese fresh longer is by keeping it in the fridge, which will slow any bacteria growth and decrease spoilage rates.
Related Questions
Can you get sick from spoiled feta cheese?
You can get sick from spoiled feta cheese. If the feta has been sitting in your fridge for a long time and the salt is not enough to preserve it, then you might end up with a foodborne illness.
The same thing goes for any other type of cheese, not just feta.
How long does feta cheese last in water?
In water, feta cheese can last for about 2 weeks if it is kept in an airtight container. The cheese should also be stored in the fridge.