This fabulous article at The Art of Darkness features a list of things that people tend to think are harder than they really are. And of course, cheesemaking made the list:
“Craft: Making Cheese
Why You Should Bother: You can make fantastic-tasting cheese cheaper than you can buy it, you can experiment with interesting herb and spice flavorings, and you know exactly what ingredients go into it. Although many cheeses require a coagulant such as rennet, there are many you can make with nothing more than milk and lemon juice. Start with easy fresh cheeses like queso fresco or mozzarella before working your way up to more complex recipes.
Getting Started: Gourmet Sleuth has a number of recipes, and the book Home Cheese Making covers a range of styles and does a good job of explaining the techniques and equipment required.”
There are tons of resources on our site and throughout the Web for how to do this. Starting with a simple cheese recipe is the best way to learn the principles and build confidence in your cheesemaking. Whether you are concerned about the expense of store-bought cheese, prefer the flavor of fresh artisanal cheese, or you just find yourself with a lot of high quality milk on your hands, we say go for it.
Other activities you should try include pickling and preserving, brewing beer and sausage making, which will go beautifully with your fresh homemade cheese.
The Art of Darkness » Blog Archive » Things That You Think Are Harder Than They Actually Are.
