The idea of making homemade cheese may seem a little intimidating. That’s probably because cheese is a highly processed food, and you might wonder if you’ll reach some kind of cheese-making pinnacle and end up with a gooey, greenish ball in your hands.
Believe us when we say that making your cheese isn’t as complicated as it sounds. There’s nothing like enjoying a slice of homemade cheese with a quick sandwich or using cheese as the focal point of your favorite recipe.
Here’s how to make homemade cheese in your kitchen. Read on!
Gather the Necessary Equipment
What do you need to make cheese? You will need a reliable thermometer, cheesecloth, a stainless steel pot, a slotted spoon, molds or containers suitable for the cheese shape you wish to make, and a stirring spoon.
Other items that may be useful include a colander, a vegetable rennet, and a cheese press, depending on the type of cheese you are making. Be sure to find ingredients that are dairy-free for vegan cheese recipes.
Make sure your workspace is clean and food safe. Now that you have all the necessary equipment, you are ready for the cheese-making process.
Prepare the Milk for Cheese Making
This can be done using whole or skimmed pasteurized milk. You’ll want to heat it to a temperature of 32-35C without allowing it to boil. You may need to stir the milk while it heats to make sure it doesn’t burn on the bottom.
If you are aiming for a higher-acid cheese, then you will want to cool the milk back down to 21-27C after heating it. Once at the desired temperature, you can add in your starter culture, rennet, and, if desired, flavorings such as herbs, salts, and spices.
You can let the mixture sit for about an hour for the culture to do its work. At this point, you will have achieved the necessary pre-conditions for making homemade cheese.
Add Starter Cultures and Rennet
These cultures will give the cheese its distinctive flavor and help aid in the ripening process. Starter cultures are usually composed of a mixture of mold and lactic acid bacteria that provide the necessary culture for the cheese to ferment.
After the starter culture is added, rennet is used. Rennet is used to coagulate the milk proteins so that curds form. Once the yogurt from Yogurt Cultures and rennet has been added, the milk is heated and stirred before the curds are separated from the whey.
Age and Flavor of the Cheese
Begin by selecting the right container to age the cheese. Consider using something that is food grade, as some materials can transfer flavors or off flavors to the cheese. Then, place your cheese in between 1-3 months in the container.
During this time, the cheese will develop unique flavors and textures. To speed up the aging, cut the cheese into smaller chunks, which allows the cheese to age more quickly.
Make sure to rotate the cheese from the top of the container to the bottom, to ensure it is aging evenly. You can also store the cheese near fruits, which will add additional flavor notes.
Learn to Make the Best Homemade Cheese Starting Today
Making homemade cheese can be simple and fun. Experimenting with different types of cheese and recipes can create unique and delicious products. With the right ingredients and techniques, you, too, can become an at-home cheese maker.
So, what are you waiting for? Try your hand at making homemade cheese today!
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