Making Your Own Cheese-A Delightful Hobby in the Waiting

There are a variety of homemade cheeses you can make

Cheese, Glorious Cheese: The Ultimate Self-Sufficiency Skill You Never Knew You Needed

Imagine pulling a warm, stretchy ball of mozzarella from a pot in your very own kitchen. No, you haven’t accidentally wandered into an Italian bistro – this is the magic of homemade cheese-making, and it’s about to revolutionize your self-sufficiency game! (OH! It’s SO good with a slice of fresh tomato, a basil leaf and some balsamic vinegar drizzled on top of a slice!)

Now, I’ll confess: my journey into the world of DIY dairy didn’t start with making cheese. In fact, my first foray was… drumroll, please… waxing store-bought cheese. Yes, you read that right. There I was, coating perfectly good cheddar in wax like some kind of fromage Frankenstein. But hey, we all have our quirky beginnings! Kind of backwards, I know.  But now I have a whole new world in front of me and I want you to discover it too!

Once I discovered the joy of making cheese from scratch, though, there was no turning back. And here’s a little-known secret that’ll blow your mind: you can even make butter from sweet whey foam! (whey is left over from making cheese) That’s right, folks – we’re talking next-level dairy alchemy here. It’s like finding treasure in what most people would throw away!

How long does it take to make cheese?

The best part? You can whip up some cheese varieties in just one hour. That’s less time than it takes to watch a movie or do a load of laundry. So why not trade in your chore time for some cheese-making adventure?

A woman makes her own cheese

What are the benefits of making your own cheese?

Here’s why making your own cheese is the crème de la crème of self-sufficiency skills:

1. You’re the big cheese. When you make your own, you control the ingredients. No mysterious additives, no preservatives or dyes you can’t pronounce. Just good old-fashioned milk, cultures, and your own two hands. (clean hands, that is.)
2. Fresher than fresh. Have you ever tasted cheese that’s barely an hour old? It’s like comparing a juicy homegrown tomato to those pale imitations at the supermarket. There’s simply no contest. Even cheese that you’ve aged yourself will taste better than the store bought.
3. Cost-effective curds Once you’ve got your initial supplies, making cheese can be surprisingly economical. It’s like printing your own money, except it’s legal and delicious!  It’s cheaper than the store-bought!
4. Expand your cheese horizons. Sure, you can buy cheddar and mozzarella at any store. But what about making your own halloumi, paneer, or queso fresco? The cheese world is your oyster (though please don’t make oyster-flavored cheese, that’s just wrong).
5. Impress your friends and confound your enemies. Imagine casually mentioning at your next dinner party, “Oh, this cheese? I whipped it up this afternoon.” Watch as jaws drop and eyes widen. Your cheese-making prowess will be the stuff of legends.
6. The ultimate self-sufficiency skill In times of uncertainty, who do you think will be the most valuable person in the community? That’s right, the one who can turn plain old milk into delicious cheese. It’s like having a superpower, but cheesier.
7. A whey to use up extra milk. Got more milk than you know what to do with? Turn it into cheese! It’s like magic, except instead of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, you’re pulling cheese out of milk. Much more useful, if you ask me.
8. It’s science you can eat. Making cheese is basically a delicious chemistry experiment. You get to play with cultures, observe coagulation, and then eat your results. Take that, high school science fair!  It’s totally a kid friendly activity too! In fact, you should totally have your kid enter THAT into their science fair!

What’s the shelf-life of homemade cheese?

yes you can wax your own cheese

But wait, there’s more! Let’s talk about the long-term benefits of your cheese-making endeavors. Remember my earlier cheese-waxing adventures? Well, it turns out I was onto something. When stored properly, waxed cheese can last for 2-5 years! That’s right, your homemade cheese could outlast your New Year’s resolutions, your houseplants, and possibly even some of your relationships.

The key to this cheese longevity? Store your waxed cheese in cool, dark, humid conditions (we’re talking 75-95% humidity). It’s like creating a cheese spa where your dairy creations can relax and mature. For more details on the art of cheese waxing, check out my other articles – it’s a whole world of waxy wonder!

What can I do with the whey?

Now, let’s circle back to that butter from sweet whey foam. It’s the perfect example of how cheese-making can make you a master of dairy efficiency. You’re not just making cheese; you’re utilizing every part of the milk, from curds to whey. It’s like the dairy equivalent of nose-to-tail cooking. Your great-grandmother would be so proud! (We’ll talk about how to use up that whey in another article!)

And let’s not forget the sheer variety of cheeses you can create. From soft, spreadable cheeses that are ready in a day, to hard cheeses that you can age for months or even years. It’s like having a time machine in your kitchen, except instead of traveling through time, you’re traveling through flavors.

How do you get started?

To get started just get a cheesemaking kit on Amazon or at The New England Cheesemaking Company.  Grab some whole milk or if you can get your hands on it, some raw milk (which is what I do.)  And you’re off to the races!

Homemade Parmesan Cheese

Making Cheese! It’s more than a hobby!

So, there you have it, folks. Making your own cheese isn’t just a hobby – it’s a declaration of dairy independence. It’s saying to the world, “I don’t need big cheese companies to tell me how to live my life!” It’s a skill that connects you to centuries of tradition while also preparing you for whatever the future might bring. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter at parties. “Oh, this cheese? I made it last year. The culture came from my great-aunt’s sourdough starter and the milk from my neighbor’s goat.” Beat that, store-bought cheddar!  Seriously, you can totally do this! It’s not hard. Remember, I keep trying to tell you guys this. I’m the laziest prepper you’ve ever met! If I can do it and not pass out, I know you can!

Remember, the journey of a thousand cheese wheels begins with a single curd. So why not start your cheese-making adventure today? In just one hour, you could be well on your way to cheese self-sufficiency. And in a few years, you could be cracking open a wheel of your own perfectly aged, homemade Parmesan. Now that’s what I call planning for the future!

So, grab your milk, gather your cultures, and get ready to culture yourself in the art of cheese-making. Your taste buds, your wallet, and your self-sufficiency skills will thank you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some milk to culture and some cheese puns to curdle… I mean, cuddle. It’s time to get cultured!