Tomme # 1

[Boofer]

Boofer's done a fair number of cheeses with PLA so he can give you a better description of the wash schedule, but in short, you should wash the stinky feet! :)

I would agree with Jeff. The PLA has two variations of linens and likes to be washed a bit and aired out a bit.

-Boofer-

[CWREBEL]

3% brine with more PLA in the wash? Mycodore too?

[Boofer]

Just keep washing with your brine every other day. Remember to take it out and let it have half an hour or so every day or two.

-Boofer-

[CWREBEL]

Well, after a week of regular washing, b. linens has decided to join the party. The rind is wrinkling up a little bit, but isn't wet or tacky, just slightly moist and clammy. I'll probably back off the wash schedule to a couple times a week.

[JeffHamm]

Ooooo!  Looking good!

- Jeff

[CWREBEL]

The little petri dish is smelling good too!

Watching the rind develop is pretty fascinating. At this point how much am I controlling and manipulating what the final cheese will become?

Hypothetically, if I were to stop washing completely and drop the humidity could I expect another culture to bloom? Thus changing the profile of the cheese again? Or have I already decided it's fate by washing and inviting b. linens?

[CWREBEL]

At 5 weeks old, the rind is really coming along  O0. I stopped washing a week ago and the geo has come back with a vengeance. So far I'm happy with the progress.

At this stage should I be brushing the geo off on occasion or let it run wild?

[CWREBEL]

Here's a pic of the flipside.

[JeffHamm]

Hi,

Looks good.  I think I would brush the geo back every so often myself, but you might want to wait until some of the more experienced complex rind gardeners developers have a chance to make some suggestions.

- Jeff

[Boofer]

I'd rub it or brush it down. You're not trying to make a Cam or Brie here, right? ;)

-Boofer-

[CWREBEL]

Nope, just hoping to get a natural rind of some sort. Being my first aged cheese, I just wanted a little input from the experts!  :)

[hoeklijn]

As far as I can see this on is turning out to be a success. A cheese for you for this result so far...

[CWREBEL]

Thanks Herman.

[CWREBEL]

According to Pav, what I have described as geo growth is most likely mycodore, in his opinion. It seems to be happy and self sustaining at this time.  I will probably begin to brush it back on occasion, and maybe even wash every once in a while, but for the most part, I think I'm going to let this little guy do his thing. They grow up so fast...  :'( .... ;D

[CWREBEL]

Here are the results of brushing a couple times over the past week. Seems to be keeping things in check nicely.