Feta

How to Choose the Best

Feta is a soft to semi-hard cheese traditionally made with whole goat’s milk. These days it is more commonly made with sheep’s milk or a combination of sheep’s and cow’s milk. Feta cheese is cured in brine for 3 to 6 months and has a salty, pungent flavor that ranges from mild to sharp, depending on how long it is aged. Feta is creamy white and most commonly formed into blocks, though it can also be purchased pre-crumbled. Feta has a tendency to dry out when removed from the brine.

Shelf Life and Storage

Store feta cheese in the refrigerator, either in a deli drawer or on a refrigerator shelf. Always check the expiration date when selecting feta cheeses to ensure the product is as fresh as possible. Feta cheese should be stored in its own brine until ready to use. Pre-crumbled feta is not stored in brine and should be used prior to the expiration date.

Freezing

Feta can be frozen, but its texture will change slightly. Wrap loosely drained blocks of feta with plastic wrap and place in airtight containers or resealable plastic freezer bags. When ready to use, defrost feta in the refrigerator. Defrosted feta blocks are best used crumbled.

Preparation Suggestions

Feta cheese is and important ingredient in Greek cuisine. It is excellent with vegetables, in salads, omelets, stuffings, fillings, casseroles, and sauces and sprinkled on pizza and baked potatoes and rice and pasta dishes. Blocks of feta can be crumbled and stored in olive oil to add a different flavor and texture to certain dishes.