How is kashk stored and preserved?
Dried kashk, hard salted balls of Iranian fermented dairy, keeps for a year or more without refrigeration if it stays fully dry. Liquid kashk from a jar needs the fridge once opened. Keep dried kashk airtight and dry, and discard it if moldy.
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In this article
What is kashk?
Kashk is a salty, sour dried dairy product in Iranian cooking. It is made from fermented milk: the sour liquid left after churning butter is drained in a cloth bag, and the solids are salted, shaped into walnut-sized balls and sun-dried until rock hard. A modern liquid kashk is made by grinding dried kashk, mixing it with water and salt, and pasteurizing it for jars.
How to store dried kashk
- Keep it completely dry. Dryness is what preserves it. Under-dried pieces can go moldy.
- Use an airtight container or a cloth bag in a cool, dry place. Moisture and humidity are the main enemies.
- How long? A year or more at room temperature is reported for properly dried kashk, which is why nomads relied on it. Exact life depends on how dry it is and your climate.
How to store liquid kashk
- Unopened, pasteurized jars follow the date on the label.
- After opening, keep it refrigerated in a clean airtight jar. Check the label for how long to keep it after opening.
- Separation of liquid and solids is normal; stir or shake before use.
Safety tips
- Buy packaged, pasteurized liquid kashk rather than loose kashk from open sacks.
- If making liquid kashk at home from dried balls, boil it for about 20 minutes before eating.
- Throw out any kashk with mold, a rotten smell or a soft, damp texture.
How is stored kashk used?
Dried balls are dissolved in water to use as a sour seasoning. Liquid kashk is drizzled over dishes like ash reshteh and kashk-e bademjan, the eggplant appetizer. Add it at the end, because it curdles when boiled.
People also ask
How long does dried kashk last?
A year or more without refrigeration if it is fully dry and kept in a dry place.
Does kashk need refrigeration?
Dried kashk does not. Opened liquid kashk does; follow the label.
How can I tell kashk has gone bad?
Mold, a rotten smell or soft, damp texture in dried kashk means throw it out.
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