Cheese Making Supplies
Making cheese at home will require the purchase of a few necessary ingredients and tools. These supplies may be bought individually or collectively in a cheese making kit that will contain all that is needed to make cheese. These kits are available online from several online sources. You may also acquire a cheese making kit at kitchen supply stores and stores that sell beer brewing equipment. The basic supplies needed for cheesing making will be highlighted below. However you must remember that some extra products may be used dependent on the cheese recipe that you wish to follow.
- A large pot will be essential preferably one that is stainless steel. A stainless steal pot guarantees that the metal in the pot will not react with the ingredients. The pot should be capable of holding at the very least four to six gallons of the mixture.
- A large spoon to mix the ingredients is needed, this, like the pot, should be stainless steal. A slotted stainless steal spoon is consequently the more advantageous option. The slotted design is ideal as it will be very effective when scooping the curds out of the pot, some excessive liquid will also drain from the spoon in the process.
- A cheesecloth is an essential that will be used to drain the whey from the curd.
- A curd knife will be needed, it is a flat, long knife used for cutting curds. If you are making a small amount of cheese then a butter knife may be used instead.
- A thermometer that is able to read up to two hundred and twenty five degrees Fahrenheit and that can be attached to the side of the pot to gauge the temperature of the milk while it is being heated should also be purchased.
- For the best quality cheese buy whole milk. Do not use ultra-pasteurized milk. You can obtain regular pasteurized milk in any supermarket or grocery store. You can also use freshly squeezed, raw milk or goat’s milk, this may be purchased at a health food store or gourmet grocery store.
- Starter cultures will be needed to help flavour the cheese and begin the acidification of the milk. The type of culture used will depend on the cheese that is being made.
- Rennet which is an enzyme that thickens the milk is vital to the process. Rennet is often obtained from animals, but it is also possible to acquire a vegetable based rennet. It may be purchased in tablet or liquid form.
- Citric acid will be used to increase the acidity of the cheese and separate the curd from the whey. It will be sold as a powder.
- Another enzyme may be bought known as lipase powder. It will give the particular type of cheese its own unique flavour. Cheeses like Mozzarella, Blue Cheese and Parmesan all derive their special taste from this enzyme.
- A specialized salt specifically manufactured for cheese making will have to be bought. It will not contain any iodine. This is because iodine will react with lactic bacteria unfavourably.
- Calcium chloride will be used to re-stabilize the milk structure of homogenized milk. This simply means the milk will thicken as is needed for cheese making. Milk found in grocery stores are generally exposed to homogenized processing.
Online Stores That Sell Cheese Making Supplies
The following are online stores that specialize in the sale of cheese making supplies and/or recipe books that will assist you in making cheese.