H-K-J's Cheddar experiment

[Geodyne]

It's looking good! Is there a reason you're planning to vacuum-bag it rather than leave it to develop a natural rind?

[H-K-J]

Geodyne, that has crossed my mind, (the wife asked me the same thing) so it won't get bagged until it starts to get in the way ;)

[Geodyne]

 ;)

I'll watch with interest, then.

[H-K-J]

Had to bag this one up and move it to the cave my Stilton needs the higher R/H and does not play well with the other cheese ::)

[JeffHamm]

That's a great looking cheddar H-K-J!  Keep an eye on it in the bag, if it looks like any moisture is still coming out, de-bag, dry, and try again.  That's such a nice rind, it would be a shame to lose it to dampness.

- Jeff

[H-K-J]

my thought is just that Jeff
I check it as often a my Stiltons, I am onto that moisture in the bag,
the rind does look good, I hated bagging it, with the limited space I have for controlled ageing, Stilton first :)

[Boofer]

Gorgeous wheel!

How long will it be aging?

-Boofer-

[H-K-J]

Hi Boofer, when I made this my thought was age till Christmas, now as an after thought there will be some Caerphilly cheese made for the holidays,
this one, being an experiment, will be aged as long as I can stand it (would like to see at least 6 month's).
If this one turns out good enough that we want to repeat the make I will then age one much longer.
patients has never been one of my strong points, although the longer I make cheese the more I have, at least for making cheese ;)

[Digitalsmgital]

yes that is a beauty! And your press is impressive!  ;) Very nice work HJK!

[cowboycheese]

Inquiring minds want to know - did this experiment make it out for Christmas snacking? How did the bagged aging go?

[H-K-J]

Well we have decided to let it stay in ageing mode till ?? maybe March or April or February ;)

[GlabrousD]

Well it's nearly April... been tempted to open it yet H-K-J? :)

Cheers, GD.

[H-K-J]

Hi GD,
the first of February it looked like there was moisture in the bag so we opened it to see, it was butter fat.
aired it for 2 or 3 days and re-bagged it,
we are now at 6 months old and counting and the wife has threatened to cut it, me, i can make another Caerphilly ;D

[Ptucker]

H-K-J Nice wheel, I am curious as to the flavor of this cheese with such a mixture of cultures. Keep us updated. Thanks for sharing.

[Matthewcraig]

great looking colour on that good luck on ageing it, can never age mine for that long; just not patient enough.