When people tamed cows, buffaloes, they did not always have time to consume the milk received from them within a few hours. Milk quickly turned sour, so primitive women paid attention to the processes of souring, after which sour milk and cottage cheese were obtained. Now cottage cheese is one of the most consumed dairy products, which is consumed in almost all corners of our Earth. But, as in ancient times, cottage cheese remains a perishable product that requires special storage methods. At dairies, preservatives are added to cottage cheese in order to slightly lengthen the implementation time. But in any case, the deadlines for implementation must be on the original packaging. The fact is that cottage cheese is a living product, fermentation processes take place in it, therefore it is so important to maintain the parameters and storage periods so that it does not deteriorate ahead of time.
How to store cottage cheese
The cottage cheese bought in the store should immediately be transferred to an enamel bowl and tightly closed. You can also use plastic dishes, but also closed with a tight lid. In order for high-fat cottage cheese not to spoil ahead of time, you need to put a piece of sugar in it, because fat oxidizes faster. Lean cottage cheese is stored longer than fat, but it also has a shelf life limit.
Storage temperature
Cottage cheese and curd products are best stored at a temperature of +2 - +6 ° C.
Many housewives make cottage cheese at home, but it deteriorates very quickly, so immediately after making such cottage cheese, you need to pack it in foil or parchment paper. In this case, it remains fresh for 2, maximum 3 days, but no more. With longer storage, such cottage cheese is best used for culinary products.
How long to store cottage cheese
Cottage cheese of industrial production is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days. But in the section with the lowest temperature of the refrigerator, cottage cheese can lie without spoiling for up to 4 days, provided that it is properly packaged. In order to keep the cottage cheese for a longer period, it must be put in the freezer compartment. In this case, he retains all his qualities for up to a week. But before using such frozen cottage cheese, you need to transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and defrost for at least 10-12 hours. And if the cottage cheese is intended for cooking, then it can be removed from the freezer and put in the kitchen for five hours.
The industry began to produce vacuum-packed cottage cheese. In this case, the cottage cheese can be stored for up to 30 days, but only if the vacuum bag is not damaged.
Cottage cheese is an essential product of our diet. It is rich in calcium and protein, helps digestion and gives a feeling of satiety for a long time. Not everyone has the opportunity to buy fresh farm cottage cheese for breakfast every day. Fortunately, thanks to such a miracle of technology as a freezer, you can purchase a large batch of the product and keep the cottage cheese tasty and healthy for a long time.
Freeze
It is strongly recommended to freeze cottage cheese only at home, that is, not made at the factory with the addition of preservatives and stabilizers, but pure in composition. Ideally, it should be grainy and with a pleasant sweet-sour fresh aroma. Store-bought cottage cheese, which resembles pasta in consistency, should not be frozen.
As a container for long-term storage of the product, choose plastic or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids. Many are interested in the question of whether it is possible to freeze cottage cheese in cellophane. The answer is no. In packages, cottage cheese will acquire an unappetizing gray color and a musty smell. It is still better to use containers, since tightness is a necessary condition for keeping the curd fresh and healthy. But do not fill them to the very top, leave about 2 cm in reserve. During freezing, the cottage cheese, or rather, the whey contained in it, will increase in volume and fill the entire space. A little advice from experienced chefs: freeze cottage cheese in small portions. This will make it much easier for you to work with it later.
The most suitable for freezing is homemade cottage cheese of a granular texture with a sweetish-sour fresh aroma.
It is necessary to freeze cottage cheese in the quick freezing mode, that is, at a temperature of -30 ° C. For high-quality freezing, 4-6 hours will be enough. After that, store your semi-finished product at a temperature of -18 ° C.
If you wish, you can freeze not cottage cheese separately, but immediately prepared dishes with it and from it, for example, dumplings, cheesecakes, pancakes or casseroles. Freezing in this case is no different from the one described above: first, deep freezing at a low temperature, and then storage under normal freezer conditions.
Defrosting
Cheese should be defrosted slowly. Remove the container from the freezer and place on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for 10-12 hours. Wait until the product is completely thawed, and only after that you can eat it. If you want to use cottage cheese for cooking some kind of dish in a slow cooker, you can defrost it in it at a temperature of +20 ° C.
After defrosting the cottage cheese, it is advisable to squeeze it out a little. Curd liquid is not nutritious whey, but waste with particles of a dairy product. It is better to get rid of it immediately. It is permissible to store defrosted cottage cheese for no more than 2 days. Re-freezing is strictly prohibited: numerous sudden temperature changes adversely affect the quality properties of the product.
Shelf life
Freshly bought farm cottage cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days, the factory-made product will lie a little longer - from 5 days to a week. If you want to use cottage cheese even later, then it is better to freeze it. In home freezers, this fermented milk product can be stored for up to 2 months; in industrial units, the period increases to six months.
Freezing cottage cheese is not an innovation or some unusual procedure. In some countries, for example, in Belarus, Poland, this practice has existed for more than a dozen years. The fact is that in winter, milk production in these territories decreases, due to which dairy products become more expensive. In order not to overpay, wise housewives stock up on cottage cheese in advance and patiently wait for price drops.
Is it possible to freeze cottage cheese? Of course it is possible and even necessary. With such a semi-finished product, you will never have problems preparing breakfast or a healthy dessert for the whole family. The main thing is to follow the rules of freezing and thawing and use suitable containers.
Homemade dairy products spoil quickly and, sometimes, even in the refrigerator it is not possible to keep them fresh. Why this happens and how long you can store cottage cheese in the refrigerator - let's figure it out.
Why can curd go bad?
When purchasing cottage cheese, keep in mind that a fresh product always has a snow-white hue, a crumbly structure without mucus, a neutral smell and taste without acid.
How long homemade cottage cheese is stored in the refrigerator is influenced by a number of factors. More about this in the table:
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Factor 1. Timing and method of obtaining
If the product is purchased, then pay attention to the label and find the date of packaging there - the fresher the cottage cheese, the longer it can be stored. If cottage cheese is homemade, be sure to ask the manufacturer when it is made. And again, consider the principle: "the fresher, the longer." |
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Factor 2. Temperature
Like any fermented milk product, cottage cheese is the result of the work of bacteria, which need warmth and moisture to live. This process can be slowed down by lowering the temperature. The lower the temperature, the longer the product retains its beneficial properties. |
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Factor 3. Humidity
The reason for the effect of moisture on the product is the same as that of temperature - the reproduction of bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to properly regulate the humidity of the air - medium (30–45%) is ideal for cottage cheese. |
Method 1. Natural conditions
There is one more nuance that affects the storage time - what is the best way to store a fermented milk product. The shelf life also depends on the packaging.
You can extend the shelf life of the curd mass by a couple of days with your own hands - add a couple of pieces of sugar to the container. Rafinade will absorb excess moisture
The most common method of storing cottage cheese is keeping it open:
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Method 1. In a container
Best before date: 2–3 days This way of storing cottage cheese is suitable for a large family and those who quickly consume a healthy product. |
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Method 2. In a package
Best before date: 1–1.5 days The fact is that cellophane does not allow moisture and air to pass through, and therefore conditions are created inside in which the curd mass “sweats” and deteriorates. |
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Method 3. In enamelware
Best before date: 4–5 days Such dishes absorb coolness well and give it to the product. It is best when the cottage cheese is not stored open - cover the pan with a lid, and the plate with another plate, then the mass will not dry out. |
Method 2. Freezer
If you buy fermented milk products in large quantities, then you are probably wondering;
- Is it possible to freeze curd mass?
- If possible, how long does cottage cheese last?
Any fermented milk and dairy product can be frozen, including cottage cheese.
At temperatures below -35 ° C, metabolism does not just slow down, but practically stops. Under such conditions, the shelf life of the product is increased to three weeks.
But keep in mind that freezing homemade cottage cheese has one significant drawback - it loses some of its useful properties from temperature changes.
Defrost Rules:
- Take the cottage cheese out of the freezer.
- Put the mass in a bowl and close the lid.
- Put in the refrigerator for 10-12 hours.
- Taste before use. If it sours, it means that mistakes were made during the freezing-thawing and the product deteriorated.
You can defrost the product without a refrigerator - at room temperature. 4-5 hours are enough for this, but the product will lose its original graininess.
Method 3. Airless space
For those who like to stock up in advance, cottage cheese manufacturers have come up with a clever way - to sell it in vacuum packaging. In this form, a favorable atmosphere with low humidity is created in the container.
The safe shelf life of such a product before opening is considered to be 14 days, however, some manufacturers claim that their product can be stored for up to three weeks. After opening the package, the curd mass is saturated with oxygen, and therefore it should be consumed within 3 days.
Summary
Now you know how much and how to store cottage cheese in the refrigerator. If you have any questions or additions, write - I will be glad to help in the comments.
Cottage cheese at home is stored for a short time. It can deteriorate earlier than the shelf life established by GOST, if certain rules are not followed. When purchasing cottage cheese, you need to pay attention to its color, smell and quality of packaging. The shelf life of a fermented milk product is affected by humidity, air temperature and the chosen method: in a refrigerator or freezer, in an open form, in a plastic container or in a plastic bag.
What affects the safety of the product?
Fresh cottage cheese according to GOST must have the following features:
- 1. Snow-white or creamy white color, uniform throughout the mass.
- 2. Crumbly texture with or without perceptible milk protein particles.
- 3. No smell and slime.
- 4. No aftertaste, acid taste.
But it quickly loses its taste if the storage rules are violated. How long you can keep the product in the refrigerator depends on a number of factors:
- Date of issue;
- storage temperature;
- air humidity.
When purchasing cottage cheese in a package, you should pay attention to the label, which indicates the production time and expiration date. The fresher the product, the longer it is stored at home. After opening the package, the contents should be consumed no more than 2 days in advance - if stored in the refrigerator.
If the product is bought by weight, then to determine the freshness it is recommended to pay attention to its color and smell.
Cottage cheese is the result of the work of bacteria, for their vital activity they need heat and moisture. Inhibit the fermentation process by lowering the temperature. The lower it is, the longer the cottage cheese retains freshness and beneficial properties for the human body.
In order for the product to remain fresh for a long time, it is also necessary to maintain a certain humidity. An indicator of 30 to 45% is considered optimal.
Storage Methods
Dairy products can be stored in a variety of ways. The term is affected by the selected dishes and storage location.
Frozen at a temperature of -18 degrees, the product can be stored for up to 3 weeks so that the cottage cheese does not lose its taste.
Rules for storing cottage cheese, depending on the container:
- 1. In a package. Not more than 1-1.5 days, since the plastic bag does not allow moisture and air to pass through, as a result, the product sweats and deteriorates.
- 2. In enamelware. The shelf life in this case is slightly longer and is about 100-120 hours. Enamel-coated cookware retains coolness longer and cools the contents. In order for the fermented milk product not to lose moisture, the pan should be closed with a lid.
- 3. In a container. In this form, the product is stored for no more than 3-4 days.
When storing cottage cheese in the refrigerator in an open form, you can put a couple of pieces of sugar in the container where the product is located. Rafinade absorbs moisture, thereby protecting the cottage cheese from mold. The shelf life in this case is up to 72 hours.
Storage of curd products
The shelf life of fermented milk products is indicated in San Pin 2. 3. 2 / 1324-03.
At air temperatures from -2 to +4 degrees, they are:
- for cottage cheese and curd products - 72 hours;
- for children's cottage cheese - 30 hours;
- for syrniki, dumplings, pies with cottage cheese filling - 24 hours;
- for casseroles and pancakes with cottage cheese - 48 hours.
All natural dairy and sour-milk products spoil rather quickly. But each product has its own shelf life. How much and how can you store cottage cheese?
Despite careful processing with the use of one or another type of preservatives, the process of so-called fermentation (reproduction of starter bacteria) does not stop. You can't stop it, you can only slow it down. In addition, these bacteria are of different types. Some are present in the product initially, others are introduced from the outside during processing and storage.
Shelf life of cottage cheese
Natural cottage cheese is a perishable fermented milk product. The terms of its storage are regulated by sanitary standards. Cottage cheese is stored in the refrigerator from 2 to 14 days, depending on the packaging and pre-treatment.
Pasteurized (closed) cottage cheese can be kept in the refrigerator for 5-7 days at a temperature of 0 °C to + 6 °C. If the package is opened - only 1 day.
Homemade cottage cheese can be stored for no more than 2 days at temperatures from 0 °C to + 3 °C.
There is a long-term storage product, sold in sealed packaging, its shelf life is about 14 days at temperatures from 0 °C to + 6 °C. This is if you do not open the package.
Before placing homemade cottage cheese in the refrigerator, it should be transferred to an enameled container with a tight-fitting lid. It is recommended to place several pieces of sugar together with the product in such a container.
If the cottage cheese has been stored for more than 1 day, it is best to heat it and use it for dumplings, casseroles, cheesecakes, etc. However, its taste may still be quite acceptable.
How to save useful properties?
If cottage cheese is purchased by weight, especially not homemade, then a number of important things should be taken immediately. It is necessary to transfer the product from its original packaging to a plate or bowl. The container for storing the product must be enameled or plastic. It is very important that the dishes in which the product will be stored can be tightly closed with a lid. Before shifting, you need to put a cloth napkin on the bottom of the plate.
Advice from culinary experts: if there is no lid that will tightly close the container, you can use the well-known cling film. If there is a lot of cottage cheese, then it is worth dividing it into small portions.
Of great importance is the fat content of the product. If we compare cottage cheese with a minimum amount of fat and a maximum one, then low-fat cottage cheese will be stored much longer than fatty one.
For long-term storage of fatty cottage cheese, put a piece of sugar on the bottom of the container. Thus, it is possible not only to increase the duration of storage, but also to improve the taste of the product.
Is it possible to freeze cottage cheese?
Freezing dairy products as a way to store them for a long time was known long before the invention of refrigerators. In the Far North, this method of storage is still practiced in specially equipped glaciers. The preservation of almost all nutritional properties in food after defrosting has been proven theoretically and in practice.
It is possible and necessary to freeze cottage cheese if it is not planned to be used in the near future, but this must be done correctly. At a freezing temperature below -12 degrees, its shelf life will reach a month. However, sometimes they keep it longer. When defrosting the product, the taste will remain the same, but there is a high probability of a change in consistency. Frozen cottage cheese will already be curd mass.
How to freeze cottage cheese?
Properly freezing cottage cheese in the freezer is not difficult. But after that, it is important to observe a constant temperature regime - it is impossible to defrost and freeze again. Before cooling, homemade cottage cheese should be divided into portions for single use. Portions can be packaged in freezer containers or cling film bags.
Preference for freezing should be given to granular cottage cheese, and not pasty.
The cottage cheese bought in the package is frozen as is, without opening the package - this way it will be stored longer.
Before eating, you need to take out the portion that will be used and put it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. There is a minimum temperature in the entire refrigeration system. This is necessary in order not to expose the protein to sudden changes in temperature, because in this case its original properties are lost.
If you plan to fry cheesecakes or bake a pie from the frozen cottage cheese of the product, then you can defrost immediately at room temperature. After defrosting the product, it is best to use it immediately. The maximum shelf life after defrosting is one day.
It should be understood that the longer the product is stored in the freezer, the worse its taste and texture will be when defrosted. But, as said earlier, it loses its texture and crumbles when it is thawed.
Subject to the above rules, the cottage cheese will remain fresh for a long time. It will not change its properties if stored fresh and of high quality.
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