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CHEESE TYPE BOARDS (for Cheese Lovers and Cheese Makers) => ADJUNCT - Blue Mold (Penicillium roqueforti) Ripened => Topic started by: CdnMorganGal on September 15, 2010, 04:47:30 AM

Title: First Cambozola - curds a solid mass after draining
Post by: CdnMorganGal on September 15, 2010, 04:47:30 AM
Followed the recipe on this site.  Everything seemed to be going perfectly but after 25-30min draining in the cheesecloth lined colander, my curds were one mass.  I broke them up with my fingers before hooping them.  What went wrong? or is this fairly normal?  Could the kitchen temp (78F) have had anything to do with it?

How do you 'dust' the curds with the P.Roqu?  I dipped a pastry brush into the Roqu and lightly 'banged' it so the spores would drop off into the curds.  Thanks.
Title: Re: First Cambozola - curds a solid mass after draining
Post by: 9mmruger on September 15, 2010, 11:39:54 AM
Sounds very normal to me.  When draining in a colander the curd will mat.  I just break them up with my fingers.
Title: Re: First Cambozola - curds a solid mass after draining
Post by: Oberhasli on September 15, 2010, 03:47:47 PM
It sounds like you are doing it right.  When I "dust" the p. roq. between the layers of curd, I usually just use my fingers and get a pinch of it and sprinkle it on top of the curd.  Your method sounds fine too.  I have found that draining the curd first helps keep the whey from washing away your p.roq. after you put it in the hoop.

Good luck with your cambozolas!

Bonnie