Hello all!
My name is Debbie, and I began making cheese last year.
I am originally from South Africa, grew up in Texas, and currently live in northern Italy with my husband and seven chickens (they live outside, but I let my husband in for meals).
Thus far I have made a farmhouse cheddar, long fermentation mozzarella, cream cheese, bel paese, colby, and sort of a tomme-style cheese. Some were successful, some were less successful, and some are still hopeful question marks. All were made with raw cow's milk (though I pasteurized some batches) procured from the self-serve milk machine outside a local farm. I now have a slight obsession, so there will be many more wheels of cheese before gardening season begins.
One day I will have my own Jersey cow and add milk maid to my list of identities.
I'm excited to chat with fellow cheesemakers and lovers!