Chevre Starter Instructions

You will need:

• stainless steel pot with lid
• non-aluminum spoon
• thermometer
• butter muslin, tight-weave dish towel, or yogurt bag
• colander
• bowl
• raw or pasteurized goat milk (avoid ultra-pasteurized orUHT)
• 1 packet Chevre starter culture (store remaining packets in freezer for future use)
• non-iodized salt

Directions:

1. Slowly heat (on low) 1-4 quarts of milk to 86° F. (heat the milk no faster than 1 degree per minute - this can take 30-40 minutes for a gallon).
2. Add one packet of Chevre starter and mix thoroughly, using an up-and-down motion rather than a stirring motion. Mix no longer than 15 seconds.
3. Place the lid on the pot and allow to culture in a warm spot, 72-77° F, for 12 hours.
4. The Chevre should be set after 12 hours. There may be some separation of the whey-this is normal. Place the colander in a bowl & line the colander with a double layer of butter muslin or dish towel. Spoon the cheese curds into the colander, gather up the comers of the cloth, and tie them together to make a bag ( a yogurt bag can also be used).
5. Hang the Chevre-filled bag over a bowl to drain the whey for 6-12 hours (the whey can be reserved for other uses).
6. Store your finished Chevre in a closed container in the refrigerator for about a week. If freezing, remove as much whey as possible and salt well first.