Making cheese is a fascinating process. It is a metamorphosis of fluid milk into a solid food full of sophisticated flavor. Cheese used to be made in many farm kitchens across the United States sixty to eighty years ago. Even the “Little House On the Prairie Cookbook” contains a description of how Ma Ingalls made hard cheese on the open prairie while Laura watched. Sadly, today it is a lost art.
Numerous websites currently exist to help a person get a grasp of the cheese making process. The following links supply excellent information on making cheese at home. Many of the websites have photographs illustrating each step. Some include video clips as a teaching aid. Rather than duplicating their efforts, we will simply list them below with a brief description.
David Fankhauser is a science professor. His website takes you step by step through the process with video clips. You can learn to make hard cheeses with equipment you have in your own home.
Making mozzarella is easy. In just 30 minutes, you can have a wonderful fresh cheese for any Italian dish. Ricki Carroll gives illustrated instructions on how to make mozzarella at home. She also sells cheese making supplies.
Leeners Cheesemaking website gives a comprehensive overview of cheese making. They also supply books and supplies for cheese makers.
Jack Schmidling’s website offers a good overview of basic cheese making. He also sells a simple cheese press.
Rick Robinson does a fabulous job of teaching cheese making on his website. He includes pictures and video clips. He also has a forum available to answer common questions about making cheese.
Cheese making is an art form. Many of the nuances of cheese making have been lost. Be patient and expect failures. In no time you can share your cheese with friends and family. When they comment on the wonderful taste, you can causually share you made it in your own kitchen.