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Post by liz on Dec 3, 2008 17:12:11 GMT -5
Since two of my girls just freshened I am awash in milk and making cheese almost daily again. A family illness meant that I didn't take the calves from my other two milkers so for the first time in a couple of years .... I was cheeseless!!! or at least cheesemakingless Wow talk about withdrawal! Anyway I was thinking that if there is any interest and if Olga agrees, maybe we could ask her to create a sub board under this topic and share ideas, trouble shooting etc. What are your thoughts? Liz
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Post by spiritedhawk on Dec 7, 2008 20:00:34 GMT -5
We are interested in learning how. We just got our Dexters this fall, 2 bred heifers one due in spring and another being bred now, one that will be bred in spring, and a young bull. We plan on milking and would love to learn more about cheesemaking! Is there much costs in equipment?
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Post by liz on Dec 8, 2008 18:22:36 GMT -5
Hi Spiritedhawk! Cheesemaking can be as high tech or low tech as you want. I use ordinary kitchen utensils, stock pots/canners for my cheese kettle and very long cake knife, instead of curd cutter; same goes for stirring etc. I chose to invest in presses because they are more consistant. I also chose to invest in direct set cultures because not only are they more consistant and more variety but they are also safer, so for the pennies a batch it costs it is worth it to me. But you can make your own mesophilic culture and yoghurt is made with a thermophilic one, both are basic and both work. The only real investments that I think are necessary are a good cheesemaking thermometer and a good cheesemnaking book. Personally on the latter, I have quite a few and the one that is easiest for most to understand with recipes and still deals with the real how and why of cheesemaking is "Cheesemakers Manual" by Margaret Morris, available at most dairy supply places or at Glengarry Cheese, on line. Morris is not a scientist but a cheesemaker and she gives really good info without bogging down the reader and still the reader will understand how to trouble shoot if something goes wrong. Cheese and Dexters are my passion and I will bet they will both be yours too! liz
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Post by spiritedhawk on Dec 8, 2008 19:16:21 GMT -5
Thanks Liz for the info and book reccomendation! My wife Sarah helped her mother make cheese as a youngster and we have a cheese press passed on to me from my sister. We'll look for that book 4 sure. Sarah is more informed about the process than I am. I chose the Dexter breed partially because of the tri purpose abilities and temperment and Sarah has really fallen for them as have I. With the guidence of a Mennonite fella I know, we also hope in the future to train one or two to pull a cart. That would make a hit at the local parades! Sarah plans on joining this board as soon as she gets a chance. Thanks again! Todd
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