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GENERAL BOARDS => Geographic Type Posts => Thailand => Topic started by: mbox on October 18, 2012, 01:45:37 PM

Title: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: mbox on October 18, 2012, 01:45:37 PM
Hi there, i haven't posted here for a while because i was having a pause on cheesemaking...anyways i recently started it again and here was my start-up cheese a camembert  ...please note the below postings are a flashback .... i will post all these "Flashback" to current day so you can read about me making it in Thailand
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Having tried a few times to make Camembert with  OK outcome but I think it could have been better too….so  I got a good Milk Supply from a local Farming School and made  a new attempt with 8 ltr of Milk which supposed to give 4 x  10cm Camembert  with  about 250gr each .

I still had the appropriate  cultures kept in the freezer which I bought abroad ( http://www.cheesemaking.com (http://www.cheesemaking.com))  I have ordered from them for years and it was always a pleasant experience  ( not affiliated with this company) also the shipping charges have always been normal and not extra  high for more profits.

So this was 2 days ago I started about noon and got my things out and my 2 cheese books as well  I often like to compare the described and do that which makes most sense to me.
The Camembert Recipe which I pretty much followed is here: http://www.cheesemaking.com/Camembert.html (http://www.cheesemaking.com/Camembert.html)  ( you have to scroll down to the section with the blue background)

This recipe is pretty detailed written and in my case I used Flora Danica, both Penicilum Candidum and Geotrichum  Candidum  ( I believe it could be done with penicilum candidum alone too ) . I also added Calcium Chloride and the Rennet I used was Liquid Animal Rennet ( I tried with vegetarian Rennet Tablets but I find he forming of the curds better with liquid animal rennet )

As I was not planning to really report on it I added the starter and cultures as per recipe description but not taking any pics also added the rennet.

 The first picture shows the coagulation with rennet period and the thermometer to ensure the correct temperature ( the pot used is aluminum , it is not the ideal thing to use …maybe sometime later I will invest in a larger stainless steel pot )
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JHGYm4viAJU/UGbRznRfs0I/AAAAAAAACd0/nrXleQLCVYo/s576/20120927_160249.jpg)
This are the Sanitized & prepared cheese molds and cheese-mats:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eUyVNAdnXrs/UGbRQcEeYpI/AAAAAAAACds/qTbmV9vP0dQ/s576/20120927_155956.jpg)

The Curds where firm enough so they were cut into dices and kept them rest further as they will release whey:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Hoic55BiiXI/UGbR8X-OH5I/AAAAAAAACd8/5T0_tqTMGcI/s576/20120927_171706.jpg)
A  gentle stir to prevent them from clotting :
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5QOYQaotVio/UGbVwEs7OnI/AAAAAAAACeM/ZU_OiJJIltw/s576/20120927_172358.jpg)

The Tools I used to remove some whey:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q1FU25n3bC0/UGbWL71T05I/AAAAAAAACeU/rnED3dwYEKU/s576/20120927_174449.jpg) 

Filling the Curds into the Cheese molds:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Zfg9eSG1cVI/UGbWL5OngqI/AAAAAAAACeU/MJDV9ZTnnrQ/s576/20120927_174739.jpg) 

The cheese molds appear full  so needed to wait up a bit until it had set to fill the rest of curds:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_qWTRQRcTCU/UGbWL4LJ0KI/AAAAAAAACeU/EzMXztCm1lA/s576/20120927_175054.jpg) 

Finally, all Curds are in ! :
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ad5pkR1w8sw/UGbWL45sNXI/AAAAAAAACeU/vyFqadEvYUA/s576/20120927_181311.jpg) 

2 hours later it was time to turn them and see how much  smaller they are now…
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-00CvGrNUMFM/UGbWL8qBQfI/AAAAAAAACeU/6ik0IUhRYng/s576/20120927_202848.jpg) 

Lost about 30% of its volume already:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-97bZmJtIg_A/UGbWL4cOMQI/AAAAAAAACeU/7LE2vwmB_9k/s576/20120927_202905.jpg) 

The curds where left at room temperature overnight and they were turned over every couple of hours….this  the Day 1 of making my Camembert
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: mbox on October 18, 2012, 01:47:11 PM
On day #2 I was able to remove the cheese from the Cheese-mold:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-v7FvZUekesA/UGbWL9504iI/AAAAAAAACeU/8pAAo9l-L-g/s576/20120928_175042.jpg)

It was sprinkled and rubbed with Sea-salt :
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0sXesZ4IyYw/UGbWL6ilUkI/AAAAAAAACeU/eJIi9MTInJE/s576/20120928_175736.jpg)
I placed the cheese on a new set of Cheesemat :
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--GgWFZ4w1Z0/UGbWL6a9OlI/AAAAAAAACeU/ZfFtGh5ed7g/s576/20120928_180338.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ISell6fScTg/UGbWL2wRgKI/AAAAAAAACeU/fvavdcEsXk8/s576/20120928_180355.jpg)

And moved it into the ripening box….the ripening Box = a de-tuned fridge ( should have 10-15 degree celsius and some high humidity over 90%) the plastic container with sponge inside is meant to increase humidity
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XaARhr9-DTA/UGbWL8SIi6I/AAAAAAAACeU/X5kXRIUPkj4/s512/20120928_180533.jpg)

After a few hours I checked and found the environment a bit dry so my final ripenin box looked like this and is stored inside the de-tuned fridge :
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6b02JggiWyk/UGbWL9X_pvI/AAAAAAAACeU/Z_IswhlfQiA/s512/20120929_151212.jpg)
And a  look inside :
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--N97Vp4yG7s/UGbWL9mQjrI/AAAAAAAACeU/cwiE3DVTJKw/s512/20120929_151237.jpg)
In the next 7-10 days I shall see some white fine fuzzy mold on the cheese …..and I will flip it over daily and making sure temperature and humidity are in order…so I will report back once this is reached …here the most recent picture done yesterday.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bLoWotdM_C8/UGkcUgnsQWI/AAAAAAAACjE/Z6_YdLujAag/s576/20120930_092434.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TRlhFOwEE_c/UGkcUk24toI/AAAAAAAACjE/0oHnOjWZV4E/s576/20120930_092307.jpg)
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: mbox on October 18, 2012, 01:50:48 PM

I was greeted with the first bit of white mold ( 5th day) , if I read correctly this is the first stage of mold growths , coming from the geotrichum candidum which still should see a second stage later( the penicilum candidum will do its work a bit later ) here some pics…not sure if you can see the spots of white mold , not easy to make photo of something white with a near white background
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TGZa0AQzAYw/UGqq2xUvbPI/AAAAAAAACj8/mo4qF7Zh38k/s800/20121002_145906.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lb1CdvJ0Ylk/UGqq23yhT8I/AAAAAAAACj8/4hUdtFVQFxE/s800/20121002_145841.jpg)
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: mbox on October 18, 2012, 01:52:17 PM
here a look on the cheese on day 9
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IO8_MghbDc0/UHE6C-v9I4I/AAAAAAAADCo/HEpRe1oIWTg/s840/%255BUNSET%255D.jpg)

i will wrap up the cheese tomorrow and let it mature until it becomes soft when touching ( it already has the scent of Camembert due to the Molds when smelling on it...)

Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: mbox on October 18, 2012, 01:54:53 PM
Day 10 my Cheese got packed in Cheesewrap  ..needs to remain in the fridge for a few more weeks to mature....

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nyd4O4z5600/UHIDUIw7djI/AAAAAAAADH0/uSQt6MR312A/s840/20121008_053220.jpg)
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: mbox on October 18, 2012, 01:56:12 PM
It was time to check the progress of the Camembert by cutting one up. It is Day 21

It had a very developed scent already and it became softer too ...but as i can see now it can still mature another 10 days i think.....and the taste ?

I was kinda shocked how great it turned out i took 2 of these chunks (on pics below) and it went down beautifully - Yum


It also made me wonder what do so many Camembert manufacturers wrong( yeah i mean predominately those ones outside of France) ... i used no special alpine milk and just matured it the regular way ( or as good as i could imitate the ideal conditions) . Anyways extremely happy with this outcome :-) here some pics
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tJYNqQ2iPyA/UIABe_J91OI/AAAAAAAADvw/NlGV4j0SCXU/s800/DSCF3921.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y9ctToNPSkU/UIABa1tVDuI/AAAAAAAADvo/bZSmY1APFRg/s800/DSCF3920.JPG)


The above picture is from today .... i wanted to ask if these tiny holes inside the camemberts firmer part are something unusual , or to worry about ? As for taste and smell it is great , just wanted to make sure if things are going the right direction.

thanks a lot,

mbox
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: ayu.rosalie on December 13, 2012, 02:05:44 AM
Your camembert looks really good!!! since your location is in Thailand, do you have any problem with the temperature when leaving it to drain overnight?
I assumed the temperature and humidity in Thailand and Indonesia are quite similar.
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: mbox on December 13, 2012, 02:17:42 AM
Your camembert looks really good!!! since your location is in Thailand, do you have any problem with the temperature when leaving it to drain overnight?
I assumed the temperature and humidity in Thailand and Indonesia are quite similar.

you are right the temperatures we face are quite similar...i have a few fridges and for instance my barfridge i am able to turn it so warm so i can  use it for the "warm cave" ( neessary for when the emmenthal forms the holes) ...this would be already too warm for regular maturing but right temperature for draining the camemberts. . But what i do i have the camembert draining in an area which is cooled by aircon (living room, office whatever rom you cool - if you don't cool use a fridge set to warmest possible) ...so the temperature is appr. there...actually i made camembert last night and it is draining now ...


mbox
 
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: jackbox on October 18, 2013, 04:26:13 PM
Looks really good. I had a failed attempt today due to bad milk. I am going to try again with Umm! brand milk.
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: cheesenoob on December 20, 2014, 12:01:55 PM
That Camenbert looks awesome....exactly like a shop bought one.....could almost smell it  ;)
I was in Big C extra today and the prices they charge are just CRAZY
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: John@PC on December 30, 2014, 09:29:00 PM
Excellent result mbox and thorough description.  ACforU :).
Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: vel2000 on March 03, 2015, 12:32:15 PM
Very interesting.
This thread has inspired me, to try it by myself.
I've researched lot's of cheese-making sites and now, friends from Germany will send me the necessary stuff to start.

Will keep you updated...

Title: Re: My Camembert attempt # xyz
Post by: DavidCNX on September 19, 2016, 05:23:35 AM
Very nice.... I've been having  a go with limited success after a brilliant beginners luck batch!
Have given in and brought the proper cultures so hopefully my results might be a little better/consistent.