Before We Talk Kombucha Cheese...
The first time I tell people that I make cheese, they inevitably look shocked. "You MAKE cheese?" they say, and look impressed.
The truth is, there is no reason to be impressed. Cheese is easy, and I firmly believe that with a little practice and help, anyone can make it.
Cheese is one of the oldest foods on the planet. The legend is that one ancient day, a shepherd child used a sheep or goat's stomach as a convenient milk pail. The rennet in the stomach caused the milk to curdle, and everyone realized that the resulting curds and whey were delicious.
Most modern cheeses are slightly more complicated than that, but not all of them. There are plenty of quick, simple cheeses that you can make at home, using cultures and equipment that you already have.
The best way to start is with an acid cheese. I like to use kombucha for mine; the flavor is mild, slightly sweet, and delicious. If you don't have any kombucha, that's okay. Acid cheese can be made with vinegar or lemon juice instead.
Recipe: Basic Kombucha Cheese
So as Julia Child would say: don't be afraid! Mistakes and messes are guaranteed, but that's okay. In the world of cheese making, mistakes can almost always be drained, salted, and eaten anyway. Have fun!
Ingredients:
- 1 gallon milk (not UHT pasteurized)
- 1 cup kombucha or raw vinegar (you may not need all of it)
- Sea salt
- Large stockpot
- Wooden spoon
- Cheese or candy thermometer
- Fine colander
- Cheesecloth
Begin checking temperature when steam rises. Check and stir regularly until temperature reaches 190F. Slowly pour in kombucha, stirring gently. Stop pouring when visible curds form and turn off heat.
Just added kombucha! Note the curds beginning to form and the clear, yellowish whey floating to the top. Allow to rest for 15-30 minutes. Drain curds in a colander lined with cheesecloth, and salt to taste.
A neat trick for draining curds. Save the whey for other projects! And that's it! Let us know how it works for you!