My First Muenster

[Al Lewis]

Okay, after reading about Boofer amazing smooth rind tallegio I decided I had to do another stinky cheese so I went for  muenster as I had never made one and love the cheese.  I used the recipe from 200 Easy Home Made Cheeses, Tim Smith also has a good one in his book, to make one 4 pound cheese.  I mixed 1/8 tspn of the B. Linens with some brine and used it for a wash.  Turns out that works great. Once the growth started I did a schmier to keep the unwanted molds down. Here is some cheese porn photos of the progression.  It's now a month old so I'll keep this up until I taste it and let you all know how it turned out.

[Duntov]

I am so jealous!  The cheese looks great and nice to see your new cave and tubs being put to use.  AC4U

[Al Lewis]

Thank you Duntov and thanks for the cheese. I'm really liking the progression on this one.  Every once in a while you do one of those "first time" cheeses and it just works out great.  Hoping this is one of those. :o  I used the ripening box to drive the RH up a bit.  My cave is usually 54°F and 85% RH but I needed something closer to 90-95% for this one to develop.  It also helped keeping unwanted molds away and the stink down a tiny bit.

[awakephd]

Looking good! AC4U.

[john H]

Looks amazing Al. I have never made a muenster will have to take a closer look at this one. AC4Y

[DoctorCheese]

AC4U

[AnnDee]

This looks good Al, I always want to make muenster but I am too scared it will be too stinky. As it is, my family thinks that my 6 months old Tomme is smelling like dried rotten fish.  :P
Please post how this turns out in the end.

[Al Lewis]

This looks good Al, I always want to make muenster but I am too scared it will be too stinky. As it is, my family thinks that my 6 months old Tomme is smelling like dried rotten fish.  :P
Please post how this turns out in the end.

It is stinky, but I will be sure and post the result.

[DoctorCheese]

Which strain of B. linens did you use?

[Al Lewis]

Which strain of B. linens did you use?

SR3

http://www.cheeseconnection.net/product/bacteria-linens-for-washed-rind-cheeses/

[Al Lewis]

Here's a pic from this morning.  Going strong!

[DoctorCheese]

How old is it and that picture?

[Al Lewis]

34 days. ;D

[john H]

Nice even growth of B. Linens Al. Must have a beautiful smell of a barn yard.... :P

John

[nccheesemike]

AC4U. That cheese is looking great.  :)