Does Halloumi Go Bad?

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Halloumi is a staple of the Mediterranean diet. It has a mildly salty, meaty flavor. Its texture is firm but bendy, just like cheese curd or paneer.

It is made from a mixture of milk from goats, sheep, and sometimes cows; halloumi doesn’t melt the way other cheeses do, so it is perfect for grilling or frying.

You can stick it on a bar-b-que just like a piece of chicken. It can also be used as a vegetarian option for salads. It is used to improve the taste of many savory dishes.

So the question must pop up in your mind that this barbecue-friendly cheese goes bad?

Yes, it does. Like other cheese, it can go bad. Bacterial and fungal growth make it bad. Fungal growth leads to blue or green mold formation, making it unsuitable for eating.

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How to store halloumi?

Halloumi usually has the best before date printed on its packaging. If you want to extend its shelf life, you need to know the essential tips to make halloumi last longer.

This article will provide you all information about halloumi, so read on.

Making food last longer is directly related to how you store it. Storing plays a pivotal role in increasing the shelf life of any food.

The same goes for halloumi. Following are the ways you can adapt to store halloumi.

Refrigerating unopened halloumi cheese

After bringing halloumi from the store and if you have no plans to use it. The best way to store it is to keep halloumi in the refrigerator.

Unopened halloumi can last up to a year in the refrigerator. It is not recommended to store it at room temperature for a more extended period.

Apart from the fact it has a high melting point and doesn’t melt at room temperature, it is more prone to environmental changes at room temperature, so you need to put halloumi in the refrigerator.

Storing opened halloumi in airtight jars.

In case you have grated halloumi on pasta or have paired it up with fruit or in an omelet, and now you are thinking how to store the leftover.

You don’t need to worry as this article will give you all knowledge that you want to know about halloumi. There are three different ways to store leftover halloumi.

First, you need to take it out of the pack put it in airtight plastic container. If you want halloumi a little bit less salty, you can store it with a little bit of milk.

This will help to leach some of the salt out of it. It would be best if you put that container in the refrigerator.

The next way to store halloumi is storing it with extra virgin olive oil; that’s an old Greek way to store it. Olive oil has been used as a preservative for a very long time.

It’s the most traditional and way to store halloumi. Halloumi can last for a more extended period even without a refrigerator through this method.

The third way to store it is to find it in a supermarket, put halloumi in a container, and pour some of the brine over this.

This will not decrease the amount of salt because brine itself is salty, but it will help to make it last longer.

Can you freeze halloumi?

If you want to make halloumi last for a more extended period, another good way is freezing. You can freeze both opened and unopened halloumi.

Freezing helps in stretching halloumi life from months to a year. You can directly put unopened halloumi in the freezer.

In case of opening one, avoid placing directly into the freezer. First, it is suggested to put open halloumi in vacuum-sealed freezer-friendly bags and then into the freezer.

It is more convenient to slice halloumi into chunks and then freeze it as you don’t have to thaw the whole halloumi block.

How long does halloumi last?

Halloumi, just like any other food, needs to be stored properly to make it last longer. If you want to enjoy halloumi for a more extended period, you have to take care of it by applying precise storage methods.

Unopened halloumi can easily last for a year in a refrigerator. Opened halloumi can stay good in the refrigerator for two weeks.

Keep opened halloumi in a brine solution that is a salt solution and make it last longer for up to three weeks in the fridge.

You can also increase its shelf life by freezing but make sure you wrap halloumi properly before placing it in the freezer.

Avoid placing halloumi in the pantry or at room temperature for long. It’s best to store it in the refrigerator.

How to tell if halloumi is bad?

Figuring out whether halloumi is good to go or not is relatively easy. Usually, if stored well, halloumi doesn’t go rancid quickly but still, if you see any of the following signs, avoid using such halloumi.

Suppose you spot any green or blue color mold on halloumi. It is commonly known that it is safe to cut off the moldy part and eat the rest. But it is better to get yourself a new halloumi block rather than risking your health.
Another sign that halloumi has gone bad is the smell or taste of spoiled sour milk. If it tastes like spoiled milk, that a significant sign that halloumi has gone off.