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CHEESE TYPE BOARDS (for Cheese Lovers and Cheese Makers) => RENNET COAGULATED - Hard Cheddared (Normally Stacked & Milled) => Topic started by: h4ppy-chris on January 03, 2014, 03:21:57 PM

Title: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: h4ppy-chris on January 03, 2014, 03:21:57 PM
Really good fun, can't wait to make more. :)

I will be making a press but , use this setup for this.
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: GlennK on January 03, 2014, 04:32:26 PM
Looks like it pressed out nice with what you have.  What are your aging plans? 
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: h4ppy-chris on January 04, 2014, 12:31:30 PM
Today is day 3 and its quite dry on the outside so, vac pack it and in to the fridge for 30 days. I think that is what i am suppose to do?
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: jwalker on January 04, 2014, 02:49:40 PM
Looks like your press and mold worked out OK.

30 days is pretty young for a cheddar , I age mine for 6 months or more.

Good luck with your cheese.
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: h4ppy-chris on January 04, 2014, 03:18:20 PM
Thank you JW, will it be okay to cut in half in 30 days and re-vac half? i am diying to try it now.
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: jwalker on January 04, 2014, 06:48:59 PM
I know what it's like , the hardest part is waiting , especially when you first start.

I now try to make some blue , brie or other mold ripened cheeses to eat while the others are aging , as they're faster to mature.

It won't hurt to cut it and try it at 30 days , just repackage both halves if you don't feel it's ready and continue aging it til next time you want to try it.

My Blues are usually ready in 5 or 6 weeks.

I finally have a few cheeses that are nearing the one year mark.
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: Spoons on January 04, 2014, 10:15:51 PM
Congrats on the first cheddar H4ppy!

There's nothing wrong with opening a cheese too early when you're learning. Give it a shot if you will, but it won't taste good and you'll be disappointed. As jwalker suggests, try waiting 6 months to at least get a mild cheddar.
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: h4ppy-chris on January 05, 2014, 11:52:56 AM
Thanks for the info guys, do i still need to turn it with it being vac packed?
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: Spoons on January 05, 2014, 05:52:45 PM
Yes. turn it once a day for the first month or so. Then once or twice a week afterwards.
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: h4ppy-chris on January 06, 2014, 09:04:15 AM
Thanks Spoons.  :)
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: Denise on January 07, 2014, 12:12:49 AM
H4ppy, if you want a quick hard cheese that tastes good young, I recommend you try a Caerphilly. It's a lot less bother than a Cheddar to make (no cheddaring) and it's ready to eat in just three weeks.
Title: Re: 1st Cheddar for me.
Post by: Rizzo on January 08, 2014, 12:25:34 AM
Hi, this looks great. Do you have the recipe? thanks ;D

(by the way, are you in Burnley, Lancs? that's where my father came from!).