Shelf life of cottage cheese in the refrigerator, freezer, at room temperature

Dairy products can be stored for a limited time. The shelf life of cottage cheese in the refrigerator is 72 hours, provided that the required temperature is maintained in the chamber. If it is necessary to preserve the product longer, it is transferred to the freezer. In the freezer it retains its properties for up to 2 months. It is better not to violate the original packaging of a pack of cottage cheese intended for storage. The same rule applies to semi-finished cottage cheese products. At room temperature, cottage cheese has a minimum shelf life of 6 hours.

Shelf life according to GOST

The shelf life of products in the Russian Federation is established according to GOST. Cottage cheese is a lactic acid product. It is obtained by fermenting cow's milk. Due to the processes of oxidation, weathering, and proliferation of microorganisms, the product begins to deteriorate and becomes unfit for consumption.

The shelf life of curd products is regulated by GOST 31453-2013 and is:

• natural cottage cheese – 3 days;
• product that has undergone heat treatment – ​​5 days;
• for baby food – 36 hours;
• cottage cheese dishes – 1 day;
• casseroles – 2 days.

Modern technologies make it possible to extend the shelf life of food products. For example, today in production cottage cheese is often packaged, creating a vacuum. Completely sealed packaging prevents the penetration of oxygen inside, and therefore oxidation processes.

Bacteria do not enter such cottage cheese from the outside during storage. Food manufacturers always indicate expiration dates on the packaging. Before purchasing, you need to study this information and also familiarize yourself with the release date of the product.

Shelf life

The shelf life of a dairy product depends on whether the packaging is opened or not. The temperature at which it will be stored also matters.

In a closed package

Packaging greatly extends the shelf life of the product. On average, cottage cheese can be stored in a vacuum for up to one month. Some manufacturers guarantee their product for 40 days if the packaging is unopened. When the product is placed in a plastic container, foil or parchment, it will retain its properties for up to 14 days. It is better to give preference to vacuum packaging, which ensures complete sealing. The film prevents drying, oxidation and weathering of the product. Pathogenic microbes and mold do not multiply in such cottage cheese.

After opening

If the package is opened, the cottage cheese should be consumed within 2 days. A low-fat product or one with minimal fat content will be stored slightly longer. You can determine whether the cottage cheese has spoiled after opening or not by its appearance and smell. A quality product is white or slightly cream in color.

The yellowness of the top layer indicates oxidation and spoilage. If in doubt, you should break the pack and evaluate the consistency of the cottage cheese. Its structure should be uniform, without the presence of pronounced lumps. Suitable products have a slightly sour milky smell. You can taste a small part of the cottage cheese. A high-quality product will not taste bitter, musty or moldy.

At room temperature

You won't be able to store cottage cheese for long without refrigeration. At room temperature, a fermented milk product will last no more than 6 hours, especially if it is open. You can increase the storage time using the old fashioned method. As you know, before there were no refrigerators and we had to resort to various tricks to keep food of high quality longer.

Salt is a preservative. This property was used by our ancestors. The bottom of the pan should be sprinkled with salt crystals. Place cottage cheese on top. The product is then covered with a clean cotton cloth soaked in saline solution. Cover the pan with a lid and put it in the coolest place in the house. This could be a place near the balcony door, a corner of a room facing north, or a cellar.

In a refrigerator

The best way to store cottage cheese is in the refrigerator. It is important that the temperature in the refrigerator compartment corresponds to the range of +2-8° C. It is advisable not to open the package until consumption. If the cottage cheese is open, it is better to transfer it to a glass or plastic container with a lid. In this case, fermented milk products will not absorb foreign odors and become airy.

Curd products are also stored in the refrigerator:

• pancakes with cottage cheese – 24 hours;
• cottage cheese casserole – 48 hours;
• pie with cottage cheese filling – 24 hours.

It is possible to extend the shelf life, but not for long – for a few hours. In this case, it is better to set the temperature regulator to the minimum position.

On a note! Modern refrigerators with built-in ventilation, which maintains stable temperature and humidity in the chamber, allow you to store fermented milk products for 24 hours longer.

In the freezer

Many people are interested in how long cottage cheese can be stored in the freezer and whether it can be done at all. Most products can be frozen to extend shelf life. And cottage cheese is no exception in this matter. Frozen fermented milk products can be stored for up to 2 months without loss of quality.

In this case, it is necessary to set the deep freezing mode (from -18 to -25 ° C). This rule also applies to semi-finished cottage cheese products - cheesecakes, pancakes, dumplings. Subject to storage conditions, they can also be stored for 60 days. An important clarification – you can defrost products only once. Re-freezing of thawed sour milk is not allowed. Otherwise, the cottage cheese will lose its consistency, taste and most of its benefits.

It is worth considering that frozen curd grains become drier. In the future, it is better to use the cottage cheese for preparing various dishes, rather than eating it in its pure form. A crumbly product with a minimal whey content is more suitable for freezing. When frozen and further thawed, the liquid will disrupt the structure of the cottage cheese.

The curd mass is placed in an even layer in a plastic box, the bottom of which is lined with a cloth napkin. A clean, dry cloth is also placed on top. The container is tightly closed with a lid and provided with a labeled sticker indicating the date of packaging.

The product will require proper defrosting before further use. Cottage cheese should not be thawed at room temperature or in the microwave, but in the refrigerator. The lid of the container is opened slightly and placed on a shelf, where the product will thaw for 12 hours. Thawing is not required for semi-finished cottage cheese products. Dumplings are immediately thrown into boiling water, and cheesecakes are placed in a frying pan.

Shelf life of homemade cottage cheese

Homemade cottage cheese has excellent taste. It is fattier than store-bought and at the same time has a milder taste. It is difficult to maintain sterile conditions in an apartment, so this product should not be stored for a long time. According to sanitary standards, homemade cottage cheese is stored exclusively in the refrigerator and for no more than 5 days. For storage, it is better to use glass or porcelain containers with a lid. Food foil has proven itself well as a wrapper.

If the shelf life has expired, it is better not to take risks by consuming the curd mass raw. The product can be used to prepare various dishes that require heat treatment. For example, make cheesecakes, cheesecakes, dumplings, and casserole from it. If the curd raw material shows signs of spoilage, of course, it cannot be used.

It is better not to buy farm or village cottage cheese from the market in large quantities and use it as quickly as possible. You can reliably protect yourself from food poisoning by heat treating the product. After all, it is unknown what kind of milk was taken for fermentation, and under what conditions the products were produced. If you want to eat farm milk fresh, buy it from trusted suppliers.

Questions and answers

Is it possible to increase the shelf life of homemade cottage cheese using any additives?

It is unlikely that anyone will want to use industrial preservatives. Homemade cottage cheese is valued for the fact that it is a natural product. Additions in the form of a small pinch of salt or sugar will help to slightly extend the shelf life (by 24 hours).

What foods cannot be stored next to cottage cheese products in the refrigerator?

You should not place smoked sausage or fish, pickles, spices, or peeled garlic cloves on the same shelf with fermented milk products. All these products have a pronounced, persistent odor that is easily absorbed by the cottage cheese.

Is storage in a plastic bag allowed?

It is better not to use plastic bags as containers. The film significantly reduces the shelf life of the dairy product. After just 2 days it begins to change color, consistency, and smell.

Cottage cheese is an excellent dietary product suitable for consumption by people of any age. By regularly adding it to the menu, you can improve the condition of bones, teeth, and nails. In addition to calcium, fermented milk contains other valuable minerals and vitamins. However, only high-quality fermented milk products can be beneficial. That is why it is important to comply with the storage conditions and terms of cottage cheese.