First Cloth Bound Cheddar

[MAK]

Just wrapped my first cloth bound cheddar.  I'm looking forward to watch this cheese develope.

I wrapped this cheese right from the press.  My other cheeses I let dry for a few days and then vacuumed sealed.  I hope I didn't make a mistake by wrapping this cheese right away.

Dave

[hoeklijn]

Looks nice! It's a challenge that I once will try myself....
What kind of cloth are you using?

[Andrew Marshallsay]

A beautiful looking cheese and one that's on my list of things to do (not to be cofused with my wife's list of things for me to do). Good luck with it and let us know how it turns out.

[jwalker]

Never tried a cloth bound cheese myself either.

That looks very nice , what did you coat it with , Lard ?

Keep us posted.

[MAK]

Never tried a cloth bound cheese myself either.

That looks very nice , what did you coat it with , Lard ?

Keep us posted.

I used a 60 count cheese cloth and coated with Lard.  I put two layers.

I wanted to put the first layer of cloth on the cheese and put it back in the press, but it was to tight.  The cloth kept rolling up.  I think I have a solution for this and will try it next week. 

I will post pictures of this cheese as it develops.

Dave

[Scott Wallen]

very good looking cheese, I long to make an aged cheddar but what is the reason you would wrap it in cheese cloth?

[Matthewcraig]

Looks really nice good luck with ageing it

[MAK]

16 days in the cave and the cheese is starting to get some mold on the cloth.  I thought I would share some images.  I have been brushing it with a soft brush to evenly spread the mold. 

My children think I care more for my cheese then them.

Dave

[MAK]

You can notice in one of the pictures that there is a little fraying. 
Is it ok to take a little more lard and press them down?

[jwalker]

You can notice in one of the pictures that there is a little fraying. 
Is it ok to take a little more lard and press them down?

I've never done a bandaged cheese , but I think it would be wise to lard it down some more , as the loose strands may act as wicks and dry the cheese out .

Just my two cents worth. 

It looks good !

[hoeklijn]

I recently watched Will Stud's video about traditional English cheeses and saw several maturing cloth banded cheeses that also had some "loose ends", so I guess you don't have to worry too much...

[MAK]

I recently watched Will Stud's video about traditional English cheeses and saw several maturing cloth banded cheeses that also had some "loose ends", so I guess you don't have to worry too much...

Thanks for the advise.  My cheese does have two layers of cloth.  I'm not that concerned. 

[John@PC]

My children think I care more for my cheese then them.

Well, it is your "baby".  Maybe (if they're young enough) they would like to do some of the brushing? 

I recently watched Will Stud's video about traditional English cheeses and saw several maturing cloth banded cheeses that also had some "loose ends", so I guess you don't have to worry too much...

I've only got one of his videos but loved it and want to eventually buy buy all the episodes.  I think I bought mine from cheesemaking.com but he discounts his older episodes on his cheeseslices website so you can save some money if you're interested (haven't looked on youtube to see if there are some free-bees out there ).

(Getting back to the main subject) It's a great looking cheese  Mak even with the little bit of mold.  You deserve credit for going the traditional route.

[DrChile]

Nice!
A cheese for you!

When I bandaged my cheese (yes my n of 1) I had some fraying...  I don't think it would hurt to re-lard it.

Trent

[MAK]

Updated photos.

I'm really happy on how this cheese is developing.