Storing Feta

I really love feta... And I generally like to get the proper stuff too, which tends to be expensive!

However I would like to find out the best way to store it, without losing flavour etc.

The store I use to get it from use to give a tub of the juice/brine on request but management doesn't like that anymore.

I tried to make a salted water mix and sure, it's keeping the feta, but its drained the creamy-ness and texture as well as made it salty.

I've read that you can use milk.. just milk. And the salt that leeches out keeps it good for some time, any thoughts?

Generally need to store it for about 2-3 weeks, max.

 

couple of options.

Brine as you mentioned. You need to match the saltiness of the brine to the feta. Too salty makes the cheese salty, too watery and it leaches the salt out. Id tend to lean on the salty side. Smell it once a week and if it smells weird, tip the brine and make new. If the cheese comes out too salty, then you can soak it in water or milk to reduce the salt level in the cheese.

Second option is olive oil. Same as marinated, and you can change the oil the same as the water every fortnight.

Any long term storage will affect the flavor, but 2-3 weeks you should be fine.

 

Been able to store it in its juice was best. Kept all the flavour and texture.. mmmm Greek feta <drool>

I am tempted to try the milk method.

 

If you can find a store that sells bigger tubs in brine, buy those.

We've been working our way through a $25 tub, it's been 2 months easily and it's still as good as ever. If you're as big a feta fan as you say, it shouldn't be too hard to go through half a kilo.

I say this because I went through the same as you, one day they stopped doing tubs and put a block into a bag (WTF?). Trying to match the saltiness is too much a PITA, though maybe over a number of months you'd nail the ratio.

 

Yeah I've thought of just doing that.... Might be easier.

 

I reckon it'd probably be ok in the foodsaver bags. Sometimes it's sold in bags like that. You could just repackage up what you aren't going to eat straight away.

 

I gave up and got the 1kg tub lol.

 

Buy a bulk tub from wholesalers/cash and carry. Cheaper per gram and prepared for long-term use.

 

Cheapest I've come across the brand I like is $26 a kilo.

 

I also love feta, Dodoni feta please!

I bought a 1kg tub. But don't get that much of it...

If stored in brine, how long should I change the brine and secondly how long can I store it for?

I would say it would take me a good 2-3 months to finish it off.

 

The brine would last sometime, no idea on how long that 'sometime' is though. More than an month I would say. For me, the 1kg tub should last about a month hehe.

You shouldn't have to keep the feta totally covered in the tub either as you will notice the cheese will still be totally moist. If not, just flip the slices over

Salty brine should last a very long time though.

http://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17174 suggests 3 months once open and in brine.

 

I'm not so much worried about the feta becoming dry, I'm concerned that it will go off unless completely immersed in the brine.

3 months.. well, that's not too bad, just gotta make sure I start eating more of it (not too hard).

Did I mention I love Dodoni Feta?

PS. I bought my 1kg tub from Coles- $20 on special

 

If it's moist, it's going to go off...

edit: I mean.. It's NOT going to go off!