3rd Stilton

Started by KTownCheese, December 05, 2013, 12:16:25 AM

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KTownCheese

Seeing everyone getting busy with blues made me want to join the party myself.
Not only that, I just recently bought a mini fridge and slick temp and humidity controller.

So the other day I threw together a stilton batch with some 2% and 35% cream after work.
I used Meso II and PR for the cultures.  The recipe I used is from Artisan Cheese making at Home.
The last pic below shows it at 2 days into drying.

Heres hoping It will start looking like some of the other successes posted recently.

Cheers
A

Geodyne

It's looking lovely so far...!

H-K-J

Have you smoothed out the rind yet? looks like you could, looks good though :)
Never hit a man with glasses, use a baseball bat!
http://cocker-spanial-hair-in-my-food.blogspot.com/

Geodyne

Could you share details about this slick temp and humidity controller you bought?

KTownCheese

Got it from Auberins.com.  Its their plug and play unit.  Basically the unit plugs into the wall, your fridge and humidifier or de humidifier plug into the unit and everything has digital controls.  Costs 130$ but is worth IMHO since I will be using it for cheese and curing meats.  Im using it for my stilton right now and it is bang on.  So far it looks like it will give me my best make yet.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37&products_id=377

Geodyne

Thanks for that. I suspect my humidity meters are out of whack (and do plan to check their calibration this weekend), but I've not been able to get the humidity in my cave much above 65% yet. This looks like a great idea.

KTownCheese

just be careful they have a lesser model which is not designed for high humidity and has condensation problems when opening to air.

KTownCheese

Just an update, were a couple weeks in and the stilton is looking (and tasting) fantastic.
Pierced it today and put back in the cave.

just a question to all the cheese heads out there, how long have you typically aged any stilton you may have made?

KTownCheese

Only a couple weeks in and looking really green. 

JeffHamm

Very interesting look.  Sounds like it is coming along nicely.  Just noticed you're from Kingston, Ont!  I did my undergraduate studies at Queens (Grad of 89).  I always liked Kingston. 

- Jeff

Schnecken Slayer

I found mine had developed enough to be edible at just 30 days.
https://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/topic,10476.15.html
-Bill
One day I will add something here...

KTownCheese

thanks for the input guys.  The way its looking, this cheese wont last much more than 30 to 40 days.

Jeff, good to see another Kingston connection on here.  Kingston is a great town but it must pale in comparison to New Zealand.

KTownCheese

Finally I couldn't wait any longer... After a month of waiting I finally cut into my Stilton.  Looked great on the outside but not quite as much marbling on the inside.  I think this is due to too much pressure when I put it into the mold.  Next time I will have to resist the urge to press and let the cheese knit on its own.  Over all it worked out though and the cheese tastes great.  What a difference temperature and humidity control makes!!!!

Digitalsmgital

Glad it turned out delicious!

The recipe I have says controlling humidity is crucial for this type cheese. Part of the process is four days of draining in the mold on a rack, yet no mention of ambient temperature or humidity.  ???

KTownCheese

through my experience you want to maintain a 50 to 55 degree F temperature level.  any warmer and you run the risk of growing PC or developing slip skin.  At the 50 - 55 degrtee mark the rind held tight and PC was no where to be found.
As for humidity, the higher the better for this cheese.