Introducing Ashtonfield Blue

[Fundy Mental]

Having been inspired by other wonderful blue offerings I gave it a whirl. I would like to introduce my Ashtonfield Blue.

It is 12L of non homogenized milk from Woolworths. I used a combination of recipe from the Cheeselinks duo and Washington Cheese folk. I smoothed it over this morning and placed it into the cave with a couple of friends.

As you can see it has a good cover of blue already on and in the curd after the 4 days of pressing under its weight. I did press it for about 6 hours on day 2 after noting a few comments from Ozzie and others. Here is hoping.

FM

[Danbo]

Looks very very nice! :-)

[OzzieCheese]

If you can with your next one - assuming there will be - see if you can get a cheese form that is higher than it is wide as it helps consolidate the curds without pressing.

I notice you have a "Cave Cube" - a couple of questions

1. What was the cost lanbded in Australia.  and;
2. I'm assuming it works but, would you recommend the humidity controller as well.  My RH in the 'Cave' is not good and I would like to get back into more natural rinds.

Your cheese looks great !!  I re-pierced mine yesterday (25 days) and had a little taste of the paste and Oh my Giddy Aunt - it tastes amazing.  I don't know if it will make the 12 weeks.  I got that figure from watching the YouTube session on making a stilton and if 12 weeks is good enough for them then I'll crack open my control at that stage and see what is happening.

-- Mal

[Fundy Mental]

Hi Mal

the controller sits on the top of the fridge, set and monitor. I use cold water from the kettle in the ice cream container. Here is a pic. It was $159 AUD delivered. Rate at the time was 1 AUD - 90 US cents.

The mold I used was the large one from my press (165mm). I agree with you in that I need to get a taller and skinnier one. I had a little taste of the curd while I was smoothing it out and was pleasantly surprised.

[OzzieCheese]

Yep got to get me one of them.  MIght help the fridge from icing up as well

[awakephd]

Looks gorgeous! AC4U!

[LoftyNotions]

Looking really good. When do you poke it?  AC4U

Larry

[Savu]

With the Cave Cube have you got it connected to a step down transformer or did you change the power supply?

[Fundy Mental]

the transformer is 100 - 240 vac so you just need a local adapter to suit your outlet. Travel adapters work.

[Fundy Mental]

I pierced this morning for the first time. A couple of cracks appeared near the side. I thought i was far enough away from the edge, but obviously not. This is day 17 since cutting curd and after 10 days in the higher humidity container.

[awakephd]

Uh-oh -- a crack in the rind is an invitation for blue mold to invade.

(Yes, just kidding -- that's what you want in this case!)

[Schnecken Slayer]

I wish i had said that...   

That's coming along nicely.

[Fundy Mental]

there hasn't been much change from the pictures above other than the external mold is a blueish grey. I have been keeping it in the container. I open it up each morning and take it out to breath, empty the water that has collected ion the container. I leave it out for about 30 minutes before outting it back in the container and then back in the cave. I flip the cheese every 2nd to 3rd day.

Does this sound reasonable to y'all.

thanks

FM

[Fundy Mental]

latest pictures

[LoftyNotions]

That sounds reasonable to me. If I'm counting right, you're coming up on about 6 weeks since the make and 4 weeks since you pierced it?

When do you plan on opening it up?

Looking good.

Larry